Commando fliers complete historic year-long deployment on task force mission
Royal Marines fliers have completed one of the longest deployments in the force's history after a year-long task group mission taking them from Cyprus to Australia.
Supporting operations and exercises around the globe, a team from 845 Naval Air Squadron used their Merlin helicopters to move Royal Marines and their kit around the battlefield.
It was the first run-out of the Navy's Littoral Response Group (South), with the personnel deployed describing it as extremely useful for future operations.
Two Response Groups are at the centre of the Commandos' future operating mode, which sees a self-contained force being able to respond quickly and with agility wherever the UK needs swift intervention.
The Northern group covers Europe and the Mediterranean, while the South watches over the Middle East and beyond.
It is also one of two amphibious strike groups operated by the Commandos.
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and a number of militant groups, the early part of the deployment focused on preparing for any contingency.
This meant the ships and personnel were held at readiness in and around Cyprus should Britons need to evacuate from the eastern Mediterranean – alongside Nato and US warships.
This saw the personnel train rapid-roping, casualty evacuation, recovering personnel from behind hostile lines and moving troops and kit from ship to shore, and the reverse.
It also saw personnel getting used to working with allies with some cross-decking, specifically the FGS Frankfurt am Main and US commando carrier USS Bataan.
After the situation calmed down, the deployment resumed and the group returned to its more regular mission of exercising with a string of partner nations.
This started with India and the INS Sahyadri to test the Merlins' ability to shift stores with the Commonwealth navy before stops in Singapore and Brunei.
The key workout, however, was an extended stint in and off Australia's enormous Northern Territory.
For context, this is five times the size of the UK, but with a population the size of Plymouth, with the vast open spaces perfect for military training.
Exercise Predators Run, Australia's principal combined exercise, saw US and UK forces invited to participate.
845 NAS assisted the Royal Marine Commandos, with the Merlin helicopters conducting raids on an 'enemy'-held island during the night.
They also 'rescued' a downed pilot on the run in the bush and covertly inserted a reconnaissance team deep into 'enemy' territory.
Lieutenant Scott Reilly, who flew one of the first aircraft onto RFA Argus and took part in Exercise Predeators Run, said he it was an experience not many aviators may have.
"The chance to fly, often at night, in formation with other aircraft in support of Royal Marines in an environment as unique as the Australian Outback is something that most aviators may never get the chance to do."
The exercise marked the high-water mark of the deployment, after which both ships made a beeline for the UK via Diego Garcia and Cape Town before returning to Portland having covered more than 25,000 miles.
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