Low-Level flight with the Royal Navy-Commando Helicopter Force Merlin-Exercise Merlin Vortex 2015

The Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is one of the world's premier fighting forces. Working closely with the Royal Marines they have built up a formidable 'Can Do' reputation.
Now in the final stages of the transition from Sea King HC.4 to, ultimately the Merlin HC.4, CHF are at the forefront of any UK expeditionary force.

This video was filmed back in 2015 during exercise 'Merlin Vortex', which involved two Merlin Mk3 helicopters, four trainee aircrews and a support staff of over 40 personnel, supported 3 Commando Brigade and other Land Force elements.

Exercise Merlin Vortex is the final phase of the Merlin Operational Conversion Force (OCF) training course. It is the culmination of the students flying training which tests their tactical flying abilities.

Filmed from the rear of the aircraft, it follows the pair of Merlin as they fly low-level to Bickleigh Barracks in Devon, where they conduct underslung load lifting training, followed by a low-level flight back to their Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Rollestone Camp on Salisbury Plain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This video is in association with The Peoples's Mosquito. It's a great charity organisation which are working hard to bring a deHavilland Mosquito back to airworthy condition.

All of us here at MATV wish them all the very best for the future.

PLEASE 'Like', 'Share' & 'Subscribe'.

Thank you for watching.

Please check out our ever growing range of merchandise here;

[bmbpdk]

This reminds me of my tour in Iraq 2006/2007.
I had the pleasure of getting a ride onboard the British Sea Kings on a handfull of occasions.
We, the Royal Danish Army, was sometimes tasked with helping out being protection team for the USBP (United States Border Patrols) at the Iran/Iraq border crossing.
Every time we where flown there, from Shayiba Log Base and Basrah International airport, it was the British who did the lifting.
I clearly remember the massive dustcloud they kicked up during pickup and the insane noice.
Oh, and not forget the tactical NOE flying, sometimes under the powerlines and the awe when the gunner was hanging OUTSIDE the helicopter in his sling.

One thing is as certain as taxes and death: The British pilots; Lynx, Sea kings, Apache etc i had the pleasure of serving alongside, deserves every glory and honour they can get; they flew when no other would, they where ready and on station every single time we needed them, they flew even when visibility was to bad to almost drive in and they always treated us with respect and greeted us with a smile.

o7

Everytime i hear helicopters, i allways smile, both inside and physically; helicopters and their crew only brings back good and pleasent memories.
I wonder if i can find the videoes i took from those rides.

Thank you MATV for these videoes.