Royal Marines make special delivery for Arctic hikers

The Royal Marines Commando Helicopter Force embarked on a unique mission to provide vital assistance to hikers in the frozen Norwegian Arctic as a token of gratitude for hosting Operation Clockwork, their annual winter training.

Based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, the commando aviators typically use the fields around the Norwegian town of Bardufoss for intensive winter training sessions, practising critical manoeuvres such as 'whiteout' landings and establishing makeshift refuelling points or camps in the unforgiving Arctic environment.

'Whiteout' landings, a crucial aspect of their training, involve landing helicopters in conditions where the landscape is completely covered in snow, simulating the challenging scenarios often encountered during Arctic operations.

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The remote Øvre Dividal National Park, situated on the Norwegian-Swedish border, is popular with winter hikers and hosts several refuge cabins for winter hikers, offering shelter in adverse weather conditions.

Volunteers who bring supplies to the cabins have to navigate treacherous terrain on snowmobiles for weeks to make deliveries.

Using Merlin Mk4 helicopters, the Commando Helicopter Force transported three tonnes of cargo efficiently, saving the local community time and effort.

The Mobile Air Operations Team facilitated the mission, ensuring safe load lifting and efficient delivery.

The aircraft transported three tonnes of cargo in a matter of hours, a task that would have taken volunteers weeks.

Accompanying the Merlins were the battlefield Wildcats of 847 Squadron from the Commando Helicopter Force at Bardufoss.

Pilot Lieutenant Aaron Dempsey said he and his predecessors had benefited from more than half a century of training in northern Norway.

"From learning to maintain the aircraft in temperatures as low as -30°C, to landing in a snow cloud, this training is imperative to keep Junglie operators at the forefront of Great Britain's Arctic capability," he added.

"It was humbling to be part of this year's contribution to a long-established gesture of thanks to the Norwegian community."

Upon the completion of Clockwork training, both squadrons will maintain their presence in northern Norway to lend support to Steadfast Defender, Nato's largest military exercise since the Cold War.