AFTER experiencing a tremendous welcome home to Yeovilton where wives, families and friends plus the press, TV and radio were waiting to greet those personnel returning from Iraq, the exhausted returnees headed off for some well earned rest.

Although deployed over the Christmas period, a number of the families had their Christmas trees adorned with decorations and presents and a roast turkey dinner in the oven – the returnees were not going to miss out on a traditional Christmas feast even if it was a month overdue. But as one team returned from the searing heat of the desert, another was heading off to the harsh arctic environment of northern Norway.

So, just two days after welcoming back their comrades, three Lynx AH7 and 40 personnel deployed to RNoAF Bardufoss – a Norwegian Air Force base 160 miles inside the Arctic Circle – for extreme cold weather flying training. The main purpose for this change in scenery was to prepare the Squadron's Lynx helicopters, aircrew and support personnel for the rigours of its future deployment in Afghanistan, and to support a number of Royal Navy ships that were taking part in a major exercise off the Norwegian coastline.

OPERATIONS IN IRAQ

AS previously reported, 847 NAS has, since October 2007, been providing armed security, surveillance and Command and Control to British and other national forces throughout southern Iraq. Based at Basra International Airport, the squadron had deployed 40 personnel and four Lynx AH7, providing round-the-clock capability to the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq). So, proving the adage that every day in the Royal Navy is an “adventure”, the squadron flew though France and Denmark, arriving three days later at Bardufoss.

NORWAY TRAINING

PERSONNEL from across CHF have deployed regularly to northern Norway since 1969 to exercise their Arctic warfare skills in temperatures that often reach -25ºC during the day. This extreme weather training, where the sun barely struggles above the horizon, sees aircrew and engineers battle the freezing temperatures and snow to operate their equipment.

“The Arctic environment is particularly harsh and provides the opportunity for individuals to test themselves in extreme temperatures and under the most arduous conditions,” said Major Lenny Brown, commanding officer of 847 NAS.

The aircrew must be able to fly in these incredibly inhospitable conditions utilising a variety of flying techniques, including landing on top of mountains, in order to support their primary customer, the Royal Marines Commando Units.

But it is not just the aircrew in danger. Cold metal at such low temperatures will act like superglue and aircraft maintenance becomes a gruelling test of character. For 847, the deployment finished with a chance to put to the test their skills on exercise, operating the aircraft in a tactical environment and defending their operating base from attacking troops, day and night.

THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT

LOOKING ahead, 847's focus remains firmly on operations in Afghanistan, alongside their sister Sea King Squadrons 845 and 846 NAS. Further mountain training will take place in Europe and in the Arizona desert later this year. As they have already demonstrated during a dynamic and challenging 12 months, 847 Squadron's ability to operate across the spectrum of extreme environmental conditions and still deliver vital capability means they are ready to accept the many challenges that

lie ahead.

Lieutenant Cdr Rob Stephens RN