Royal Naval personnel from 845 Naval Air Squadron normally based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset have been deployed to Aqaba, Jordan to conduct Environmental Training (ET) and Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) during Exercise Pashtun Commando 2013.
Westland Sea King of 845 Naval Air Squadron overflies the Jordanian desert during Exercise Pashtun Commando 2013
Based at King Hussein International Air Base, the squadron (which spent four years in Afghanistan with its sister Commando Helicopter Force unit, 846 Naval Air Squadron) utilises the desert regions surrounding Aqaba and provides helicopter aircrews and ground crews with essential training in preparation for future operations.
"The prospect of losing all visual references during the final approach was a touch unsettling, but, under the watchful eye of experienced instructors, I was able to apply the techniques and get to grips with desert flying."
- Pilot Lieutenant Chris Gayson
A Westland Sea King of 845 Naval Air Squadron practices 'brown out' landings during Exercise Pashtun Commando 2013
"The characteristics of the dust in Jordan really put an extra burden on the aircraft. The teams worked tirelessly to keep up the pace of flying."
- Pilot Lieutenant Chris Gayson
A Westland Sea King of 845 Naval Air Squadron is inspected by one of the squadron's engineers during Exercise Pashtun Commando 2013
The tail rotor belonging to a Westland Sea King of 845 Naval Air Squadron receives attention from one of the squadron's engineers during Exercise Pashtun Commando 2013
"The exercise has proved hugely beneficial for all members of the detachment. Clearly the main aim is to train and refresh aircrew in desert flying techniques – I have never experienced an environment so challenging and similar to that in Afghanistan."
"It is an amazing yet very tough environment to train in, but the members of the Commando Helicopter Force rose to the challenges and produced the goods, training hard so that we can fight easy."
- Lieutenant Commander Edwin Adams,
...Detachment commander
A Westland Sea King of 845 Naval Air Squadron practices load-lifting operations during Exercise Pashtun Commando 2013
All photographs courtesy of Petty Officer Mez Merrill.
More
'Supa Sea Kings' on the following pages:
30 55 58 62 67 76 81