Exercise Deep Blue

Deep Blue involves the Merlins hunting submarines continuously around the clock – using either their dipping sonar, or passive sonobuoys (‘underwater ears’) – nine helicopters are needed, hence the size of the operation. 250 personnel have deployed, including pilots, observers, aircrewmen, engineers and other support staff.

Operating from sea and conducting anti submarine warfarefrom helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious and frigage HMS Westminster, this exercise presents an opportunity to deploy en-masse for the major exercise which runs through most of June.