14 NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2008
An 847 NAS Mk 7 Lynx approaches
● A Lynx of 847 NAS lands at Sangin
●
the Forward Operating Base at Sangin
● Members of Whiskey Company, 45 Cdo, on a
resupply patrol in Sangin
847 links heav
IT IS a very long way many members veterans of “Out here we’re much more great to be a part of it.”
from Somerset to Camp
tours in Iraq, Afghanistan is a integrated with other assets such Although the tour is still in its
Bastion.
different environment and the as Sea Kings and Chinooks. early stages, crews have already
Not simply in terms of
squadron has worked hard in “We provide an extra set of turned their hands to a number
distance (around 3,600 miles,
the last few months to prepare eyes and, if needed, an armed of different missions.
give or take) but particularly in
for our role out here,” he said. response helping to ensure These vary from ferrying small
terms of environment.
“Exercise Crimson Eagle in their safety whilst flying from groups around the province to
The switch from the lush
Arizona was the climax of our one location to the next as they escorting bigger helicopters in
green fields of Somerset to the
training. conduct a multitude of tasks and out of landing sites.
hot, dry and dusty landscape
“It gave aircrew the throughout Helmand. Lynx crews have also operated
of Afghanistan is tough on men
opportunity to operate closely “Where necessary we also as pairs of aircraft riding
(and women) and machines.
with Apache helicopters in an provide similar support to the shotgun for ground convoys and
So 847 Naval Air Squadron,
environment very similar to that troops on the ground as and providing cover for troops as
part of the Commando Helicopter
which we face here and it gave when they need it.” they patrol the fertile, lawless
Force, took the smart route –
the engineers the chance to Since deploying to the arid Green Zone which straddles the
from England to Afghanistan via
hone their skills in the hot, dusty wastes of Afghanistan 847’s Helmand River.
the French Alps and the USA.
conditions that so often play engineers have been working flat Other surveillance roles are
The French Alps provided
havoc with delicate machinery. out to keep the aircraft flying. planned for the future, and the
altitude training in preparation
“The value of this training has Some teething problems have squadron is not due to leave the
for the mountains of northern
been borne out by the smooth been overcome as workforce country until May 2009.
Helmand, while two months
and efficient operations that the and machinery adjusted to their Down on terra firma,
in the deserts of Arizona gave
squadron has performed since new environment. members of Whiskey Company,
fliers and ground crew a taste
arriving in theatre.” “In the first three weeks we 45 Cdo RM, part of Battle Group
of what they could expect in the
Lt Adam Zipfel said the changed two engines and a North, had an early taste of the
vicinity of Camp Bastion, north
type of flying tasks he and his main rotor head – no mean feat problems they face when they
of Lashkar Gah, the capital of
colleagues are undertaking in considering the fact that we came under heavy fire from both
Helmand province.
Afghanistan is very different in operate from a tent in the dusty small arms and rocket-propelled
Squadron detachment
nature from those in Iraq heat of the Afghan desert,” said grenades from the Taleban.
commander Maj Will Penkman
“The squadron served in CPO Mark Howard. The green berets were
RM is confident the training
Iraq earlier this year where we “The lads are working at a patrolling north of Sangin when
will prove more than useful.
predominantly worked alone, tremendous rate to maintain they were attacked by
“Although 847 are
carrying small amounts of the serviceability of the insurgents.
an experienced
people from one location to the helicopters, and it’s
squadron, with
next,” said Lt Zipfell.
● 42 Cdo on Op Aray,
● Royal Marines of Whiskey Company, their fi rst operation of
45 Cdo, on patrol in Sangin Herrick 9 in Kandahar
014-015_NN_dec.indd 1 20/11/08 15:19:15
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