Helo, helo, helo - Fleet Air Arm fliers join forces over Afghanistan

THERE’S a Jungly, a Lynx and a Bagger.

What a cracking example of Fleet Air Arm co-operation in Afghanistan.

(With apologies to 1970s working men’s clubs comics…)

Above the almost featureless terrain of the sands of Helmand two helicopters of the Commando Helicopter Force and one crucial eye in the sky form up briefly before going their separate ways to conduct missions in support of the Allied peacekeeping effort on the ground.

Despite the media’s obsession that everything which flies must be RAF, one in five British helicopters in Afghanistan is Royal Navy – particular pertinent now that 3 Commando Brigade are in charge of operations on land.

847 NAS ready to make their Mark (9)

THE Jungly Lynx force are back in Afghanistan – this time with a new aircraft.

Since 847 Naval Air Squadron last deployed to Helmand in the winter of 2008-09, it has swapped the Lynx Mk7 for the Mk9 – better suited to the challenging Helmand environment.

It’s got souped-up engines which can cope with ‘hot and high’ – allowing the Lynx force to fly throughout the Afghan summer.

In addition, the new Lynx has been equipped with a larger and more powerful 0.50 calibre machine gun for the door gunner.

As for the mission facing the 50 or so personnel deploying from RNAS Yeovilton, well that’s pretty much as it was during the previous tour of duty in Helmand.

The main task is to ride shotgun for other Allied helicopters in theatre as they re-supply Forward Operating Bases.

The 847 aircrew are also likely to be called upon to conduct reconnaissance, convoy escort, airborne command and control, and fire support with artillery and fast jets.

All of which, of course, requires round-the-clock attention from engineers, technicians and support staff.