Special delivery: Royal Navy Wildcat flown to Middle East on RAF Globemaster
A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft has delivered a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter to help with the service's patrols in the Gulf.
The aircraft, from 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, flew straight from the UK and delivered the AW159 from 815 Naval Air Squadron to HMS Lancaster, which is operating in the region.
Following the drop, the C-17 brought back a previously embarked Wildcat, with the aircraft used by HMS Lancaster as it takes part in Operation Kipion.
The operation has, since 1980 and the start of the Iran-Iraq war, seen both Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships on patrol in the Gulf for 24 hours day, 365 days a year.
The RAF also delivered key supplies which will allow the Type 23 frigate to extend her deployment.
The operation was coordinated by one of the Royal Air Force's forward-deployed Expeditionary Air Wings.
Squadron Leader Becca McNeillie, 902 EAW Officer Commanding, said facilitating the delivery was "a great example of a successful joint operation between the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy".
"It was a complex operation which required planning between both services and partner nations; we were delighted to be able to play our part in supporting HMS Lancaster and her crew," she said.
The Globemaster that delivered the aircraft is part of the strategic airlift capability of the RAF's Air Mobility Force.
Wildcat helicopters are multi-role and provide an essential element of the operational capability of HMS Lancaster.
It can be used for a variety of tasks for the ship on Op Kipion and also for other operations in the region.
This includes being used during the recent drug seizure, with this raid by the crew of HMS Lancaster marking one of the largest carried out by the Royal Navy for some time in the region.
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