Yeovilton celebrates Lynx milestone

FORTY years of Britain’s fastest and most nimble helicopter will be celebrated this summer in the showpiece public event at the home of the Lynx.

The 2011 Yeovilton Air Day will be a celebration of the long-serving helicopter, with navies from around the world sending their Lynx to Somerset to take part in an international fly past.

The Lynx – in service with three Fleet Air Arm squadrons all based at Yeovilton – is one of the most successful British exports over the past four decades: more than 200 of the versatile helicopters are operating with 11 navies.

In the Royal Navy’s case, the helicopter’s the backbone of operations by frigates and destroyers in the form of the Mk8, while the Commando Helicopter Force flies the reconnaissance model over land and sea.

Navy Helicopter Crews Prepare for Helmand

Sailors and Royal Marines from 847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) are preparing to return to the front line in Afghanistan.

Around 50 personnel are deploying to operate the new Lynx Mk9A battlefield helicopter. They will be supporting British forces in Helmand province, as well as Coalition and Afghan allies.

The squadron previously deployed to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan for seven months in September 2008. At that time the whole squadron successfully operated the Mark 7 variant of the Lynx helicopter.

The pilots and door gunners will be primarily escorting support helicopters as they resupply forward operating bases.