YEOVILTON LIFE: Sea Kings support Ten Tors for the final time

TWO Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 848 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, provided support for the annual Ten Tors Expedition on Dartmoor.

The helicopters along with their highly trained pilots, aircrewmen and engineers and on-board medical teams proved invaluable assets to this year’s expedition which was held last weekend.

The annual Ten Tors Expedition is one of the biggest multi-agency exercises in Britain and the Commando Helicopter Force is ideally suited to provide aviation support due to the nature of the Dartmoor terrain.

Ten Tors is open each year to teams of six – aged between 14 and 19 – from schools, youth organisations, and Service cadets based in the seven counties of the South West England and they take part in hiking challenges of either 35-miles, 45-miles or 55-miles.

PHOTO – TOP: The Sea Kings over Dartmoor.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Flt Lt Becky Rowlands receives a gold medal on behalf of 848 NAS in recognition of its long support of the Ten Tors.

Flt Lt Becky Rowlands, 848 NAS Detachment Commander, said: “This was another successful Ten Tors. Saturday turned into a beautiful day from both a ground and air point of view which helped in reducing the numbers of casualties that needed evacuation.

“The event provided a great opportunity to practice many flying disciplines like underslung loads and winching and a lot of the tasking was reactionary, especially the patient pick ups.

“From a personal point of view, it was inspiring to see the participants dotted across the Moor, their determination and motivation obvious as they trudged through wet terrain and up and down the Tors.”

PHOTO – RIGHT: Fast roping at the start line.

The aircrew were supported by a team of engineers and the Commando Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) who provided communications, helicopter and passenger handling support.

With the infamous Dartmoor weather being kind over the course of the weekend, the two Sea King crews provided transport for seven patients back to medical facilities at Okehampton Camp.

This year was the final time that the venerable Sea King Mk4 will support Ten Tors as it is due to go out of service in March 2016. Support to the expedition will be handed over to 848’s sister squadron, 846 NAS with their Merlin Mk3s.

For Lt Cdr Bob Bond of 848 NAS, it was a particularly poignant weekend as he recalled taking part in the Ten Tors challenge as a young Air Cadet and watching the Sea Kings flying over Dartmoor.

The 848 NAS and the Sea King was also awarded a gold medal for more than 20 years of support to the Ten Tors event.

Flt Lt Rowlands added: “It is sad that this was the last time that the Sea King will support the event but I know the event holds many fond memories for Junglies and ex-Junglies alike.

“Next year will see the event supported by the Sea King’s replacement, the Merlin Mk3.”

PHOTO – ABOVE: A Sea King and the White Ensign on Dartmoor.