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A Royal Navy Sea King HC4 helicopter embarks troops and stores at Camp Bastion's passenger handling facility for onward transportation around Helmand. Petty Officer (Photographer) Mez Merrill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011http://www.key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=42 ... n=military
Royal Navy Commando Sea Kings End Afghan Ops
The Ministry of Defence announced on October 14 that the Sea King HC4s of the Royal Navy have completed their final mission in Afghanistan and are returning home.
14-Oct-2011
The Ministry of Defence announced on October 14 that the Royal Navy's Commando Sea King HC4 helicopters have completed their final mission in support of Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) and are now returning to the UK.
Back in the UK, the crews will prepare for further contingency operations and convert to the newer and more capable Merlin helicopter.
The helicopters, crews and engineers of 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons, whose home base is Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton in Somerset,
have been deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Herrick since 2007.
With the venerable Sea King HC4 due to be withdrawn from military service in 2016, Joint Helicopter Command is withdrawing the type from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan and recovering them to the UK.
The 'Junglies' will now be able to start the conversion process to the newer Merlin helicopter currently being operated by the RAF.
The arrival of the Merlin with the Commando Helicopter Force will allow the Junglies to transport more troops and cargo with even greater efficiency and speed.
The Royal Navy's amphibious assault specialists, the Junglies are accustomed to embarking on Royal Naval warships to deploy the UK's Royal Marines-led amphibious forces ashore. The Commando Sea King was never designed to perform in the heat and high altitude of a country like Afghanistan but, despite this, the veteran aircraft (which first flew in 1969) has performed admirably.
Due to its simple and rugged design, the Sea King rarely suffers any significant maintenance issues, and, when it does, it is relatively easy to repair.
In their four years of service in support of Operation Herrick, the Commando Sea Kings have flown over 3,800 individual missions, totalling approximately 12,500 flying hours.
They have safely transported over 80,000 personnel from many different nations around the battlefield and delivered over 700 tonnes of ammunition, water and essential war-fighting supplies.
The aircrew and engineers now look forward to being reunited with family and friends when they return to RNAS Yeovilton.
After enjoying some well-earned rest and recuperation they will return to normal working duties within the UK, which will feature training for amphibious operations, desert training overseas and mountain and cold weather training in the challenging environment of Norway.