Royal Navy Commando Merlin debuts on new Portsmouth patrol ship HMS Medway

Commando-carrying Merlin Mk4s touched down on HMS Medway during a three-day training period.

The chopper’s visit comes as the Portsmouth-based warship prepares itself to sail into danger to help island communities during this year’s hurricane season.

Medway is currently working side-by-side with support ship RFA Argus which has been deployed to the Caribbean to provide vital aid should the region be hit by severe tropical storms.

Embarked on Argus are specialist Royal Marines and soldiers, equipment and aid, plus one Wildcat and three Merlin helicopters to move personnel and kit around any disaster zone.

There’s no helicopter assigned to Medway, but there is a flight deck, allowing the ship to serve as a ‘lily pad’ – hosting helicopters temporarily, refuelling them, giving crews a break, transferring personnel and equipment.

The 14-tonne helicopter can carry 16 troops, casualties on stretchers and huge loads both in the back of the cab and slung beneath in large net sacks.

The flight deck team guiding the aircraft safely on to Medway’s deck hadn’t worked with a live helicopter since the ship underwent training in the UK last year, when conditions were neither so sweltering or challenging.

‘It’s been really interesting being involved in the flying operations over the past few days,’ said Able Seaman Claire Walker, one of Medway’s seaman specialists.

‘I wasn’t sure what to expect as I had never done it on board before, however it was a really enjoyable experience.’

Lieutenant Commander Jim Blythe, Medway’s captain, was proud of the crew and added: ‘The first landing of a Merlin Mk4 on a batch two offshore patrol vessel is a momentous day for both the ship and 845 Naval Air Squadron and enhances our operational capability,’ he said.

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