Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Royal Navy aviators put through their paces in rigorous helicopter missions alongside Army and RAF
25 July 2025
Royal Navy aviators flew low-level sorties in a contested environment without GPS, evading detection, carrying out helicopter assaults and rescuing stranded personnel during a fortnight of rigorous training in North Yorkshire.
Yeovilton-based Commando Helicopter Force took part in Exercise Hades Warrior at RAF Leeming as pilots from across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF completed assessments to become qualified weapons and tactics instructors for their squadrons.
Three Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron and a Merlin Mk4 from 845 Naval Air Squadron took part alongside Chinook and Apache aircraft in the fortnight workout that ultimately means that the UK’s helicopter squadrons are operating to the same exacting standards.
Pilots and aircrew took on a range of difficult training scenarios, including air-to-air combat, electronic warfare training and air assault work – all under the direction of an Aviation Task Force Headquarters.
The Wildcats headed to RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria to the electronic warfare range, where simulated surface-to-air missile systems provided a real-world way of practising extremely low-level flying to evade detection.
The pilots were assisted by a running commentary from the missile system’s operator as to whether their tactics had been successful or not.
Seven aircraft were dispatched on an assault mission, with student instructors tasked with coordinating and executing it.
Lieutenant Commander Dom Savage, 847’s newly-qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor, said: “This was the culmination of months of hard work. Bringing together elements from across Joint Aviation Command, it allows us to increase tactical cohesion and push the limits of all our aviators.
“Leading a seven aircraft aviation assault was a particular highlight for all involved. With one new Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor and one new Qualified Weapons Instructor for 847 Naval Air Squadron, we are now better equipped to pass on our warfare experience to the junior pilots and rear-crew.”
The Wildcats and Merlin flew alongside Chinook and Apaches to create a powerful helicopter group for escorting, overwatch and fire support as Commando Forces were dropped into action to seize an enemy forces command centre on the ground.
RAF Chinooks later extracted the Commandos after they completed their objectives.
Following that scenario, the Wildcats and Merlin were called upon to recover personnel stranded on the ground.
One Wildcat provided support using its machines guns, another hovered directly overhead the landing site and the other flew closely with the Merlin, which was tasked to collect the stranded person.
On completion of Hades Warrior, the student instructors are qualified to return to their squadrons and teach advanced flying techniques and weapons tactics to their colleagues.
Whilst not conducting missions as part of the exercise, the Wildcat crews conducting their own practice on the electronic warfare range as well as practicing core skills such as Heli-abseiling at RAF Leeming.