Helicopters return to UK

TWO Augusta Westland helicopters, known in the UK as Merlins, have been on deployment in Gibraltar for training from their base at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton Somerset where Prince Charles learnt to fly.

The helicopters, which form part of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), flew across Europe and spent a week in training which included operating alongside the Gibraltar naval patrols as they transfer from Sea King helicopters to Merlins.

The pilots and crew have now returned to their base in the UK where other colleagues are transferring from Lynx helicopters to Wildcats as part of an overall upgrading of naval air power.