UK: Three Merlin Helicopters Prepare to Weave Its Magic in Massive Mediterranean Sub Hunt

Three Merlin Helicopters Prepare to Weave Its Magic in Massive Mediterranean Sub Hunt

Three Merlin helicopters will go a-hunting off Sicily this weekend as they join the biggest anti-submarine exercise in western Europe. The aircraft, plus 75 personnel from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, are Britain’s contribution to NATO’s Proud Manta, a two-week war game involving the forces of ten Allied nations.

The Royal Navy’s best submarine hunting helicopters will begin pitting their wits against their chosen foes this weekend in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.

Merlins from Culdrose in Cornwall are making the 1,400-mile trip across Europe to join fellow anti-submarine specialists from the world’s navies for the biggest NATO exercise of its type.

Each year the international military alliance gathers ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters in and off Sicily for Proud Manta – and 2013 is no different.

Although Merlin is designed primarily as a submarine hunter, in its 11½-year front-line career it has assumed a much wider role as an all-round warrior: hunting pirates, taking down drug smugglers, search and rescue duties, shifting personnel and stores around.

Its crews are always keen to return to their roots, however. HMS Northumberland’s Merlin has recently been hunting for boats in an exercise east of Suez and now three Merlins and 75 personnel from 829 and 814 Naval Air Squadrons at Culdrose are the Royal Navy’s commitment to the two-week Mediterranean war game.

As well as air and ground crew, logistics experts are being flown to US Naval Air Station Sigonella, the hub for the aerial side of Proud Manta, to meet all the needs of the Fleet Air Arm helicopters.

At Sigonella in eastern Sicily, they’ll join up with Americans, Canadians, Norwegians, Italians, French, Germans, Spanish, Greeks and Turks.

814 – also known as the Flying Tigers – are used to large-scale exercises like Proud Manta (they were out here two years ago, while their sister squadron 820 visited Sicily in 2012); 829, on the other hand, typically provide ship’s flights for Type 23 frigates, working in the cramped confines of the hangar, and with a small flight deck on which to set the Merlin down.

So the chance to work as part of a larger team – and with more space to work with – is something the 829 men and women have jumped at.

“Merlin is one the best anti-submarine aircraft in the world and this is a great chance to prove that we are equally capable of operating from ships or land-based airfields at home or abroad,” said Cdr Steve Windebank, 829’s Commanding Officer.

“Taking part in an exercise like Proud Manta is a fantastic opportunity for our crews to practise their anti-submarine warfare skills while working alongside our NATO partners.

“I hope everyone involved with take something away from this year’s exercise.”

Proud Manta is due to end on March 7.

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Naval Today Staff, February 19, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

Merlin prepares to weave its magic in massive Mediterranean sub hunt

Merlin prepares to weave its magic in massive Mediterranean sub hunt

18/02/2013

Three Merlin helicopters will go a-hunting off Sicily this weekend as they join the biggest anti-submarine exercise in western Europe. The aircraft, plus 75 personnel from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, are Britain’s contribution to NATO’s Proud Manta, a two-week war game involving the forces of ten Allied nations.

Merlin is one the best anti-submarine aircraft in the world and this is a great chance to prove that we are equally capable of operating from ships or land-based airfields at home or abroad.

dr Steve Windebank

The Royal Navy’s best submarine hunting helicopters will begin pitting their wits against their chosen foes this weekend in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.

Merlins from Culdrose in Cornwall are making the 1,400-mile trip across Europe to join fellow anti-submarine specialists from the world’s navies for the biggest NATO exercise of its type.

Each year the international military alliance gathers ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters in and off Sicily for Proud Manta – and 2013 is no different.

Although Merlin is designed primarily as a submarine hunter, in its 11½-year front-line career it has assumed a much wider role as an all-round warrior: hunting pirates, taking down drug smugglers, search and rescue duties, shifting personnel and stores around.

Its crews are always keen to return to their roots, however. HMS Northumberland’s Merlin has recently been hunting for boats in an exercise east of Suez and now three Merlins and 75 personnel from 829 and 814 Naval Air Squadrons at Culdrose are the Royal Navy’s commitment to the two-week Mediterranean war game.

As well as air and ground crew, logistics experts are being flown to US Naval Air Station Sigonella, the hub for the aerial side of Proud Manta, to meet all the needs of the Fleet Air Arm helicopters.

At Sigonella in eastern Sicily, they’ll join up with Americans, Canadians, Norwegians, Italians, French, Germans, Spanish, Greeks and Turks.