RNAS Culdrose helicopters prepare to join HMS Prince of Wales for deployment to Far East
More than 200 personnel from the Royal Navy's Merlin Helicopter Force are set to join the Royal Navy's major aircraft carrier deployment in the Far East.
Members of the RNAS Culdrose-based 820 Naval Air Squadron will join the strike group heading to the Indo-Pacific.
It will depart in the spring and spend the rest of the year visiting allies in the regions.
Joining the helicopter force are a further 70 sailors, including aviation support personnel.
Drone operators from 700X Naval Air Squadron will also join the mission for the first time.
820 Naval Air Squadron will operate from HMS Prince of Wales and protect the carrier group during the entire deployment.
The Cornwall-based squadron is embarking its Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopters as well as its Merlins adapted for airborne, surveillance and control.
It means the force can counter potential threats to the strike group from the skies, surface and underwater.
Commanding Officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron Commander Karen Snel said: "As a squadron, we've been building up to this deployment with training and operations as part of carrier strike groups through successive embarkations.
"Most recently, that involved a deployment called Exercise Strike Warrior in the Atlantic during the autumn of last year.
"In terms of personnel and aircraft, this is the most significant since HMS Queen Elizabeth was last deployed to the Far East in 2021."
The squadron has gone through an intensive period of training to bring their flying and tactical skills up to the necessary standard for the mission.
Everything from deck landings to high-end warfighting as well as numerous training sorties have been practised to ensure they are ready for the deployment.
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