The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Merlin helicopter crew from 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron’s B Flight have successfully completed a mission in Helmand, Afghanistan.
B Flight has been deployed at Bastion Airfield in Afghanistan since end of May 2010, following multiple detachments in Iraq over the past five years.
During its deployment, the Merlin has been used for both tactical and strategic operational roles including picking up casualties and flying resupply missions.
It has carried counter-IED teams, general resupply and trooping tasks and patients including both ISAF forces and Afghan casualties.
During the mission, following initial mandatory admin procedures, B Flight crew took to the skies and flew towards the Green Zone for the first time in Afghanistan.
The Merlin crew has worked in temperatures of 45°C with throw safety equipment, thermal fire protection, gloves and helmets.
