Commando Sea Kings return from Helmand after four years
Originally Posted by RN website 12 Oct 2011
It is mission accomplished for veteran Naval helicopters over Afghanistan after a gruelling four-year mission. The dark green Sea Kings of the Commando Helicopter Force are returning to Somerset after more than 12,500 hours in the skies of Helmand supporting the international mission on the ground...
The Junglies flew their final sortie in support of Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) on September 30, the last of more than 3,800 individual missions since arriving in theatre back in 2007. Since then they have safely transported more than 80,000 troops from numerous nations around the country and delivered more than 700 tonnes of ammunition, water and supplies to various outlying bases...
The Junglies will now begin the conversion process to the newer Merlin Mk3, currently being operated by the RAF in a troop-carrying role; as a larger and more powerful helicopter, it can carry more troops and cargo – and faster too. Other duties back in the UK include returning to the more usual task of supporting the Royal Marines – CHF’s raison d’être – including training for amphibious operations, desert training overseas and cold weather/mountain training in Norway.