Royal Navy aviators ready for front-line commando operations after gruelling three-week test

The final obstacle to becoming a Merlin helicopter pilot or aircrewman with Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is annual Exercise Merlin Storm, which simulates the stresses and strains faced on relentless operations – this year mainly in Scotland from Kinloss Barracks on the Moray Firth but also mainland Europe.

The prospective fliers lived out of rudimentary accommodation (in tents and cot beds), and maintained their aircraft from remote locations away from their usual home comforts at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, pushing themselves and their machines to the limit to earn their wings and become qualified front-line operators.

More than 300 hours of flying time were completed during Merlin Storm, completing tasks in mountain flying, continental navigations, live firing, lifting troops and underslung loads.

The first strenuous phase of Merlin Storm saw the students ‘activated’ and despatched to Norway – where CHF deploy annually in support of Royal Marines operations, flying across five days to Bergen via stops in Paris (France), Oostende (Belgium), Groningen (Netherlands) and Copenhagen (Denmark), before making a final flight to Scotland.

It was a journey of nearly 2,000 miles that pushed students to the maximum, before they returned to Scotland for a test of versatility – a key part of the CHF envelope as the wings of the Royal Marines, able to fly anywhere – in all extremes – with the Commandos.

They lifted troops – 400 in total – and carried in excess of 60 tonnes, three quarters of which was for material for building and road repairs in Cape Wrath for the Scottish Mountain Bothy Association, the Highland Council and Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

The students worked closely with Arbroath-based 45 Commando, Royal Marines Reserve Scotland and 39 Engineer Regiment based at Kinloss.

Pilots and aircrew fought a mock enemy after an aircraft was ‘downed’ behind enemy lines, before they lived from the land as they awaited rescue, nurturing fieldcraft skills.

Lieutenant Commander Andy Charlton, detachment commander, said: “It’s been extremely challenging for the students, but highly rewarding for them and everyone involved.”

Lieutenant Nick Godley, the exercise lead planner added: “Working with 45 Commando, RMR Scotland and 39 Engineer Regiment has really pushed the student aircrew to plan and execute complex mission sets in the challenging environment of the Scottish Highlands.

“Exposure to working with ground units has increased the quality of the training we were able to provide and focused the students on core support helicopter tasking whilst concurrently offering mutually beneficial aviation training opportunities to these units.”