Sheep stand-offs and calf births all in a day's work for Commando Helicopter Force
Farmers and landowners who allow the Commando Helicopter Force to train on their land have been treated to a day with the aircrew.
The Somerset locals play a crucial role in enabling the force that enables Royal Marines to deploy anywhere and everywhere.
In return, they were treated to a view of their fields around Yeovil from a Merlin helicopter.
Sue Simpson, one of those attending Landowners' Day at RNAS Yeovilton, went up with her family, having volunteered their land for years.
"For the mum of teenage boys, this has been a dream come true for them growing up because we've had it literally in our back garden," she told Forces News reporter Tom Sables.
"We've had one or two sheep that've refused to move [for a helicopter]. It's their field, so why would they?
"My son was out ratting one night and had the IR [infrared] on his ratting scope, and, obviously, the helicopter had detected that and came back around to have a look at what he was doing.
"We did have one cow, once, who was having a calf in an adjacent field and she was taking a little bit of time to get on with it.
"Then the helicopters came in and all of a sudden the calf was out and the job was done and all was well."
Once the Merlins had landed, personnel greeted the guests with displays and exhibitions to give them a taste of what their training allows them to do.
"[We're] the only part of defence that can operate helicopters in both the maritime, the littoral – the space between the sea and the land – and the land itself," said Colonel Mark Johnson, the Commanding Officer of the force.
With a dynamic that works for both parties, some of the UK's finest fighters and farmers were able to say thanks in person for a better helicopter experience.
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