YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge

PERSONNEL from the Commando Helicopter Force have proved their worth at the annual Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor this weekend.

Supporting the event for the first time following the retirement of the Sea King earlier this year, two Merlin aircraft from 846 Naval Air Squadron from the Commando Helicopter Force stationed at RNAS Yeovilton were on call day and night to transport casualties and react should the weather have worsened.YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 1

Along with the aircrew and aircraft, a team made up of engineers, re-fuelers and support staff kept the aircraft serviceable and ready for any potential tasking or a developing emergency.

"The Merlin has done everything that we have asked of it over the weekend," said Chief Petty Officer Louise Wrightson, senior engineering watch chief for the detachment. “Dartmoor has been a good test for our new aircraft; they've come out of it well."

And the Merlin is making a big difference to the Ten Tors Challenge planning team.

“We have spent a good deal of time exercising and training with the Dartmoor Rescue Group for this exercise," said Lt Josh Albon.

“Merlin is faster, bigger and can lift a whole lot more than its predecessor the Sea King. We can cover the entire length of the moor in less than 15 minutes and carry up to 20 passengers which would have made the difference if we had to evacuate casualties in a hurry.”

Merlin is also proving to be quiet a crowd-pleaser. Thousands of people watching the start of the Ten Tors Challenge were treated to the Merlins practicing tactical flying over Dartmoor's famous Tors.

As it closed for 2016, all members of 846 NAS looked forward to returning in support of this great event next year.

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 10

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 11

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 6

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 7

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 8

YEOVILTON LIFE: Merlin helicopter personnel support Ten Tors Challenge Photo 9

PHOTOS: Courtesy of RNAS Yeovilton.

 

 

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