Merlin Helicopter Crews Gear Up For Far East Deployment

Submarine-hunting and surveillance will be the primary duties of the Royal Navy helicopter crews heading to the Orient as part of the Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Far East.

More than 200 flyers and support crew from the Royal Navy’s Merlin Helicopter Force have been undergoing intensive training ahead of the mission, which begins later this spring and will extend through the rest of 2025.

The Merlin Mk2 helicopter unit 820 Naval Air Squadron will be playing a crucial role in protecting the carrier group and will take part in the entire deployment, operating from RN flagship HMS Prince of Wales.

As per a recent press statement, the squadron will be embarking two Merlin variants, one specialising in  anti-submarine warfare, and the other adapted for airborne, surveillance and control. 

Commander Karen Snel, who has overseen widespread the preparations, commented: “As a squadron, we’ve been building up to this deployment with training and operations as part of carrier strike groups through successive embarkations. Most recently that involved a deployment called Exercise Strike Warrior in the Atlantic during the autumn of last year.

“In terms of personnel and aircraft, this is the most significant since HMS Queen Elizabeth was last deployed to the Far East in 2021.”

Commander Al Woodward has now taken charge of 820 NAS and will lead the squadron through the deployment.

ASW Merlin Mk2s of 814 Naval Air Squadron have also been undertaking training as they prepare to deploy with the escort ships of the carrier group.

The “Flying Tigers,” who work with frigates to provide fleet protection from submarines, have been executing weapons exercises, including gunnery and Sting Ray torpedo drills, ahead of the deployment.

Around 50 personnel from RNAS Culdrose’s 1700 Naval Air Squadron will also join the deployment.

In a first for the navy, this deployment will also include drones flown by RNAS Culdrose’s 700X Naval Air Squadron to test their logistics capabilities.

• You can read more details on the Royal Navy website