RFA Argus Prepares For Storm Season Rescues

Staff on board RFA Argus have been preparing to help people evacuate in the Caribbean ahead of storm season.

The crew of aviators, medics and commandos could find themselves providing a lifeline for residents by dropping supplies and rescuing residents from the damage left behind.

Commando Merlin helicopters of 845 Naval Air Squadron are uniquely positioned to drop supplies and can help directly by putting troops ashore.

Those operating the Merlins have been training in preparation, lifting 'casualties' on stretchers from the flight deck of support ship Argus, then proceeding to up the difficulty by combining with 47 Commando’s 539 Raiding Squadron to winch the 'injured' to and from a moving sea boat in choppy seas.

"Timing is key for the winchman," Petty Officer Aircrewman Joe Gibbs said.

"When working with the boat, we have to take great care so as to lower them into the boat at the right moment, as the boat is moving in the swell. 

"We achieved a number of pick-ups and drop-offs of 47 Commando and the medics."

Early forecasts have suggested this year will be the busiest hurricane season in the Caribbean since 2005, the most active Atlantic storm season on record.

RFA Argus also has a maritime patrol Wildcat from 815 Naval Air Squadron in her air group, greatly enhancing search and rescue operations with its powerful sensors.

Onboard team 24 Commando Royal Engineers are able to rebuild vital infrastructure, working closely with expert beach surveys 47 Commando Royal Marines.

Royal Marine Corporal Thomas Thornton of 47 Commando said: "There is determination and cheerfulness even when conditions are hard, and anyone who is a commando understands that."

Captain Henry Perks, the Crisis Response Troop Commander, added: "We have to be highly adaptable compared to other units as we are always going to new, often hard, operating environments.

"There is a shared mindset amongst commandos and this helps us work together. We can endure the same tough conditions and we can push ourselves."

Argus has been deployed in the Caribbean since April and, as part of the Royal Navy task group in the region with HMS Medway, is providing reassurance in British Overseas territories.

Cover image: The crew of RFA Argus training (Picture: Royal Navy).