Flying home for Christmas: Navy Merlin gets a lift thanks to RAF C-17 Globemaster
The RAF's Air Mobility Force has carried out a number of sorties to recover some equipment back to the UK from the Middle East, including a Royal Navy Merlin.
The Merlin Mk4 helicopter was loaded onto an RAF C-17 Globemaster strategic transport aircraft from 99 Squadron to bring it home just in time for Christmas.
The prep work to dismantle the Merlin took five days, while the actual loading of the aircraft by a combined RAF and Royal Navy team took more than six hours.
The C-17 Globemaster is now back at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where the Merlin will be reassembled and tested.
It will then be flown to its home base of Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.
Despite the work involved, it was easier to transport the Merlin inside the C-17 rather than fly it back on its own.
Due to the helicopter's range, this would have required it to travel through multiple countries, adding time, resources and potential logistical issues.
Stripping a C-17
"Weighing twice as much as a double-decker bus and as high as three large artificial Christmas trees, the dismantling of the Merlin for loading onto the C-17 took five days to prepare for the flight," the RAF said.
Once stripped, the parts were weighed by RAF movers and organised for the intricate loading process whereby the Merlin was slowly winched onto the C-17.
The C-17 can rapidly deliver all types of cargo and troops worldwide, however, this type of move is particularly difficult as complex freight needs to broken down into smaller parts.
"Preparation for a move like this takes time primarily due to the weight of the kit," said Chief Petty Officer Kay, 845 Naval Air Squadron's Senior Maintenance Rating.
CPO Kay added: "Firstly, the heavier parts such as the tail pylon and the rotor blades are removed, then smaller elements like the aerials and any hazardous materials such as fuel.
"This is an intricate task on a large scale, but our engineers are well trained so tackle the task with precision ensuring everything has run smoothly."
This sortie was just one of several that returned equipment from all three services that had been conducting exercises in the region this year.
Precision needed
"Every movement is vital," said Flight Sergeant Bevan, the Air Loadmaster who was overseeing the operation to bring the Merlin on board.
"This is a challenging move as the freight fits within an inch of the aircraft, so every team member, whether they are RAF or Navy, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the task is completed with the precision it needs."
They added: "It's incredibly rewarding seeing the Merlin and its kit and crew loaded onto the C-17 ready to fly home for Christmas."
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