After six years of
service in Iraq, the last Puma and Merlin helicopters have come
home to Royal Air Force Benson in Oxfordshire. The last two
Merlins flew back to be met at the Station by Defence Secretary
Bob Ainsworth, alongside friends and families in a homecoming ceremony.
Merlin and Puma Force Commander and Station Commander Group
Captain Jon Burr said:
“The Pumas have played an active role in Iraq since 2003, to be
joined by the Merlins two years later. The Merlin made its name in
casualty evacuation, carrying out daring rescues in a hostile
environment to rescue British and coalition lives. It’s been a big
commitment for the personnel of RAF Benson. Some staff have been
deployed in Iraq several times over, which combined has added up
to almost 2 years of their life spent in Iraq”.
For the crews returning today there is a chance to catch up on
family life as they begin the task of working up to the
Afghanistan deployment. Engineering work has already begun on
upgrading the Merlin fleet to Theatre Entry Standard which
includes fitting improved rotor blades and updating the Defensive
Aids Suite. Wing Commander Nigel Colman, Officer Commanding 78
Squadron, said:
“It’s fantastic to bring home the Squadron. We faced quite varied
and significant challenges in Iraq, on an Operation which has at
times, involved intense war fighting. Now we’re able to prepare
for and be completely focused on Afghanistan.”
As the Helicopter Force prepares for a four month training
exercise in the United States, the Station Commander explained the
benefits of training ‘hot and high’ in a different climate. Group
Captain Jon Burr said:
“We are pulling out all the stops
to make sure we are ready for Afghanistan. We must ensure crews
are trained to operate safely and that both crews and aircraft are
in tip top condition.”
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:
“The Merlin and Puma force have played a hugely important role in
our operations in Iraq and I would like to thank all those
involved, as well as their families and friends for the strong
support they have given over the last six years. We can all be
incredibly proud of their achievements and Iraq today is a better
place thanks to their outstanding service, commitment and sacrifice.
“Royal Air Force personnel are now working flat out to prepare
our Merlins for deployment to Afghanistan where they will provide
a really significant improvement to our helicopter capability,
above and beyond the near-doubling of helicopter hours that we
have already achieved. I have been extremely impressed with the
energy and enthusiasm of everyone here at RAF Benson, who are
busting a gut to get these helicopters ready for their next
challenge. They know, as I do, that additional helicopters in
Afghanistan will help us to achieve more and achieve it faster.”
At the end of the ceremony Group Captain Burr paid tribute to his
personnel saying:
“I’d like to salute the courage, skill and commitment of all RAF
Benson personnel who have served so valiantly in Iraq, to help
make a better life for the Iraqi people”.
For stills and imagery please go to www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
For more information contact:
Public Relations Officer
Nikki Hamilton
RAF Benson
Mobile: 07766 441564
BSW-AMCO@benson.raf.mod.uk
Lesley Woods
Media and Communication
HQ Air
Command
RAF High Wycombe
Bucks HP14 4UE
T: 01494 496131
lesley.woods428@mod.uk
Squadron Leader Al Green in the MoD Press Office 020 72187950
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk