Merlin getting ready for Afghanistan

Danskeren · 11-06-2009, 07:11 AM

Creeper · 11-06-2009, 07:20 AM

good vid. ty 4 posting. hope the armour added to airframe doesn't effect overall a/c performance.

USMC29 · 11-06-2009, 08:10 AM

The British are coming! O wait their already here.

Good Luck Merlins. God Speed over there!

Evolv5 · 11-06-2009, 08:20 AM

Nice to see more helicopters being sent.
Good job.

dersammler · 11-06-2009, 08:49 AM

Beautiful helicopter. Hope all of the 28 Merlins will return safe...

Danskeren · 11-06-2009, 09:01 AM

The first Merlin helicopter crews are ready to deploy to Afghanistan following pre-deployment training in the United States.

The Merlins, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, due to deploy soon, will provide vital support to ground operations and increase the capacity of the UK helicopter lift in Afghanistan by a further 25 per cent.

El Centro Naval Air Facility in California is the US Navy's main training base and has recently played host to crews from 28 and 78 Squadrons.

The Merlins have been training for the unique challenges of the Afghan environment - the hot, high and dusty conditions.

The entire fleet is undergoing a £45m upgrade programme that will allow the helicopters to improve performance in the harsh conditions and protect against threats.

Modifications include new rotor blades for 'hot and high' conditions and improved defensive aids against hostile threats.

Merlins can carry up to 20 personnel and will provide an additional capability to the Chinook and Lynx helicopters.

Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell said:

"The Merlins will be a welcome addition to the coalition helicopter force in Afghanistan adding to the capacity of our battlefield helicopter capability and increasing its flexibility."

Commander of the Joint Helicopter Force, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said:

"Afghanistan presents the most challenging flying environment for helicopters in the world.

"The high altitude, and temperatures that soar to 50 degrees Celsius by day and rarely drop below 35 degrees at night during the summer months, test aircraft to the limit.

"It has been vital to ensure that the crews are properly prepared in a non-hostile environment. They are now fully ready and eager to support our forces in theatre."

Flight Lieutenant Jim Porter, a pilot on 78 Squadron who spent three weeks training at El Centro, said:

"The pre-deployment training opportunity that the exercise has provided is second-to-none. To operate in an environment that replicates the conditions that we may encounter in Afghanistan so closely is hugely beneficial to all taking part."

Master Aircrew Gareth Attridge, a Leading Crewman from 78 Squadron, found the training hugely beneficial:

"As an instructor, the facilities and environment encountered during the training in El Centro provided a perfect chance to refresh and practise new operational skills," he said.
"These have been passed on to the Merlin crews who are shortly to deploy to Afghanistan.
"Combining this training with our previous experiences in Iraq, we feel that we are ready for the challenges that lie ahead."

Personnel from 78 Squadron are already in Afghanistan preparing for the arrival of the first helicopters, which are due by the end of the year.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...fghanistan.htm

goat89 · 11-06-2009, 02:35 PM

Does any1 has personal experience with these birds? Would love to know their thoughts!

Danskeren · 11-06-2009, 03:49 PM

Very advanced and powerfull helicopter. And very good for sling-load operations, as you can see here.

B_706K · 11-06-2009, 03:51 PM

Aww I wanted a dude in a pointy hat doing press ups.

goat89 · 11-06-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_706K

Aww I wanted a dude in a pointy hat doing press ups.

HAHAH

What about Gandalf?

Danskeren · 11-06-2009, 03:56 PM

^^^

!!

Danskeren · 11-06-2009, 04:03 PM

A video from when they were in Iraq.

2495 · 11-06-2009, 04:09 PM

Hope they get the minigun mounted and all sorted out for Afghanistan - nothing keeps heads down more than that aweful (if your on the wrong end) buzz/ whip crack of 3000 rounds a minute.

Danskeren · 11-06-2009, 04:13 PM

^ I prefer a GAU-19 or GAU-21 firing .50cal Raufoss MP(APHEI) rounds

Hollos · 11-07-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat89

Does any1 has personal experience with these birds? Would love to know their thoughts!

Sort off in September my battalion were using them on a 2 week exercise on sennybridge (brecon beacons) training with them mostly at night time, they are absolutely awesome bits of kit

11-06-2009, 07:11 AM	#1
Danskeren Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fifth Column Age: 35 Posts: 7,071	Merlin getting ready for Afghanistan

11-06-2009, 09:01 AM	#6
Danskeren Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fifth Column Age: 35 Posts: 7,071	RAF Merlin crews ready for Afghanistan The first Merlin helicopter crews are ready to deploy to Afghanistan following pre-deployment training in the United States. The Merlins, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, due to deploy soon, will provide vital support to ground operations and increase the capacity of the UK helicopter lift in Afghanistan by a further 25 per cent. El Centro Naval Air Facility in California is the US Navy's main training base and has recently played host to crews from 28 and 78 Squadrons. The Merlins have been training for the unique challenges of the Afghan environment - the hot, high and dusty conditions. The entire fleet is undergoing a £45m upgrade programme that will allow the helicopters to improve performance in the harsh conditions and protect against threats. Modifications include new rotor blades for 'hot and high' conditions and improved defensive aids against hostile threats. Merlins can carry up to 20 personnel and will provide an additional capability to the Chinook and Lynx helicopters. Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell said: "The Merlins will be a welcome addition to the coalition helicopter force in Afghanistan adding to the capacity of our battlefield helicopter capability and increasing its flexibility." Commander of the Joint Helicopter Force, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said: "Afghanistan presents the most challenging flying environment for helicopters in the world. "The high altitude, and temperatures that soar to 50 degrees Celsius by day and rarely drop below 35 degrees at night during the summer months, test aircraft to the limit. "It has been vital to ensure that the crews are properly prepared in a non-hostile environment. They are now fully ready and eager to support our forces in theatre." Flight Lieutenant Jim Porter, a pilot on 78 Squadron who spent three weeks training at El Centro, said: "The pre-deployment training opportunity that the exercise has provided is second-to-none. To operate in an environment that replicates the conditions that we may encounter in Afghanistan so closely is hugely beneficial to all taking part." Master Aircrew Gareth Attridge, a Leading Crewman from 78 Squadron, found the training hugely beneficial: "As an instructor, the facilities and environment encountered during the training in El Centro provided a perfect chance to refresh and practise new operational skills," he said. "These have been passed on to the Merlin crews who are shortly to deploy to Afghanistan. "Combining this training with our previous experiences in Iraq, we feel that we are ready for the challenges that lie ahead." Personnel from 78 Squadron are already in Afghanistan preparing for the arrival of the first helicopters, which are due by the end of the year. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...fghanistan.htm

11-06-2009, 07:20 AM	#2
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Down South-On the lake-In a ship. Posts: 1,827	good vid. ty 4 posting. hope the armour added to airframe doesn't effect overall a/c performance.

11-06-2009, 08:10 AM	#3
USMC29 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Making Marines, Winning Battles and Getting Drunk Since 1775. Age: 22 Posts: 648	The British are coming! O wait their already here. Good Luck Merlins. God Speed over there!

11-06-2009, 08:20 AM	#4
Evolv5 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Si vis pacem, para bellum Posts: 4,207	Nice to see more helicopters being sent. Good job.

11-06-2009, 08:49 AM	#5
dersammler Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: dort wo andere urlaub machen Age: 22 Posts: 549	Beautiful helicopter. Hope all of the 28 Merlins will return safe...

11-06-2009, 02:35 PM	#7
goat89 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Republic of Singapore, but in Canada studying Posts: 6,342	Does any1 has personal experience with these birds? Would love to know their thoughts!

11-06-2009, 03:49 PM	#8
Danskeren Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fifth Column Age: 35 Posts: 7,071	Very advanced and powerfull helicopter. And very good for sling-load operations, as you can see here.

11-06-2009, 03:51 PM	#9
B_706K Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Steady Rollin' Age: 26 Posts: 1,516	Aww I wanted a dude in a pointy hat doing press ups.

11-06-2009, 03:56 PM	#11
Danskeren Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fifth Column Age: 35 Posts: 7,071	^^^ !!

11-06-2009, 04:03 PM	#12
Danskeren Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fifth Column Age: 35 Posts: 7,071	A video from when they were in Iraq.

11-06-2009, 04:09 PM	#13
2495 annoying as hell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ho Ho Ho! Merry (nearly) Christmas! Posts: 3,074	Hope they get the minigun mounted and all sorted out for Afghanistan - nothing keeps heads down more than that aweful (if your on the wrong end) buzz/ whip crack of 3000 rounds a minute.

11-06-2009, 04:13 PM	#14
Danskeren Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fifth Column Age: 35 Posts: 7,071	^ I prefer a GAU-19 or GAU-21 firing .50cal Raufoss MP(APHEI) rounds