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Saving life in SoMMERTset: Navy’s flying medics practise with Commando fliers
23 March 2026
Medics took to the skies of Somerset to test the Navy’s ‘air ambulance’ capability with the Royal Marines.
The Maritime Medical Emergency Response Team – MMERT – joined the Commando Helicopter Force’s 845 Naval Air Squadron to test the ability of both to fly to, treat and recover serious casualties in the line of fire.
In this case a ‘casualty’ needed rescuing from hostile territory (aka Merryfield, RNAS Yeovilton’s satellite airfield) and transferred to hospital as quickly as possible.
845 provides front-line support to the UK Commando Force, principally carrying Royal Marines, kit and caboodle into battle when required in any environment (elements of 845 are just about to conclude Arctic training in Norway).
It also provides rescue cover for downed aircrew with the UK carrier groups, picking them up wherever they need saving – potentially from behind enemy lines (as in the Hollywood movie of the same name…)
Either mission is likely to result in casualties. Thanks to its size and loading ramp the Commando Helicopter Force’s Merlin Mk4 helicopters double up nicely as flying ambulances.
Not only does the large cabin provide space for medical staff to perform basic life-saving procedures in flight if required, there’s also capacity to carry some soldiers or commandos.
As for the MMERT itself, all Royal Navy personnel, it typically comprises one doctor, a nurse and paramedic, and equipped with all the necessary equipment for critical care up to intrusive surgery if required in severe cases.
It’s grown out of a near identical service provided during the conflict in Afghanistan – with an M added for ‘maritime’ and is now an integral part of a Carrier Strike Group.
Its personnel are all trauma specialists, working in the field across the MOD, NHS and medical charities, even on air ambulances in some cases.
“Crews must work closely with the MMERT before the flight to ascertain the priority of a casualty – or casualties – and discuss the security and conduct when going into a potentially hostile landing site,” explained pilot Lieutenant Alex Hyde.
“Once in the aircraft with a casualty, crewmen and the doctor will be in close communication to keep each team updated on the situation internally and externally. For example, the doctor may request a steadier flight profile for them to insert cannulas or intrusive operations.”
For the MMERT medics, the training takes them out of their relative comfort zone: a high-pressure A&E department or operating theatre – clean, sanitised, stable - and puts them in the field, literally.
“We are used to working in the sanitised environment of a hospital, but being able to physically practise in the aircraft adds a whole new dynamic – which can be difficult to adapt to,” said Surg Commander Thomas Clingo.
“By doing this now in a simulated environment, it prepares us extremely well for the unfortunate occasions we may have to do it operationally.”
845 NAS aircrewman Petty Officer Thomas Oakes – used to helping with navigation, safely guiding the Merlin into tight landing spots and the safety and security of a couple of dozen commandos – also found the training extremely useful.
“It has been incredibly eye opening to work with the MMERT,” he said.
“Experiencing how they need to operate in the back has been invaluable. We often have the cab to freely move around in when we need to, but having the MMERT operating on the floor with the extra comms cables really makes things more difficult.
“It’s been great to integrate and understand how we need to work together to potentially save someone’s life.”