The Royal Air Force Air Mobility Force has carried out sorties to recover this year’s exercise equipment from the Middle East, including a Royal Navy helicopter back to the UK just in time for Christmas.
The Royal Navy helicopter, from 845 Naval Air Squadron, is a Merlin MK4 that was loaded onto a 99 Squadron RAF Globemaster (C-17) strategic transport aircraft. The loading, carried out by a combined RAF and RN team, took over 6 hours and was completed as the sun set over the Middle East, ready for the flight to the UK.
The RAF Brize Norton based 99 Squadron Globemaster arrived at its home base in Oxfordshire, where the Merlin will be reassembled and tested. It will then be flown to its home base of Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, in Somerset. The sortie was carried out due to the range of a Merlin which would have required multiple stops as it transited through countries adding time, resources, and potential logistical issues.
Weighing twice as much as a double decker bus and as high as 3 large artificial Christmas trees, the dismantling of the Merlin for loading onto the C-17 took 5 days to prepare for the flight. 845 NAS’s Flight Senior Maintenance Rating, Chief Petty Officer Kay said:
“Preparation for a move like this takes time primarily due to the weight of the kit.
“Firstly, the heavier parts such as the tail pylon and the rotor blades are removed, then smaller elements like the aerials and any hazardous materials such as fuel. This is an intricate task on a large scale, but our engineers are well trained so tackle the task with precision ensuring everything has run smoothly.”
Chief Petty Officer Kay
845 Naval Air Station
Flight Senior Maintenance Rating
Once stripped, the parts are weighed by RAF Movers and organised for the intricate loading process whereby the Merlin is slowly winched onto the C-17. “Every movement is vital”, said 99 Squadron’s Air Loadmaster, Flight Sergeant Bevan, who oversees the load. “This is a challenging move as the freight fits within an inch of the aircraft so every team member, whether they are RAF or Navy, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the task is completed with the precision it needs.”
The C-17 can rapidly deliver all types of cargo and troops worldwide, however this type of move is particularly difficult as other complex freight can be broken down into smaller parts. FS Bevan added: “It’s incredibly rewarding seeing the Merlin, and its kit and crew, loaded onto the C-17, ready to fly home for Christmas.”
This sortie was just one of several that have returned equipment from all three services that have conducted exercises in the region during the year.
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