RAF helicopter crews prepare for Afghanistan

[casper]

The Merlin Helicopter Force has commenced a four-month training exercise in the United States as the final stage of preparation for its end-of-year deployment to Afghanistan.

The Merlins, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, will provide essential support to ground operations, increasing the capacity of UK helicopter lift in Afghanistan by a further 25 per cent. The training exercise in the US, Exercise Merlin Vortex, is preparing crews for the unique challenges of the Afghan environment such as the 'hot and high' conditions and constant threats they will face on a daily basis.More Info