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Remarkable scenes depict Royal Navy aviators being pushed to their limits during intense helicopter missions in collaboration with the Army and RAF.
Pilots undertook low-level sorties in a contested environment without GPS, evading detection, executing helicopter assaults and rescuing stranded personnel during two weeks of strenuous training in North Yorkshire. The Yeovilton-based Commando Helicopter Force participated in Exercise Hades Warrior at RAF Leeming, as pilots from across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF completed assessments to become qualified weapons and tactics instructors for their squadrons.
Three Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron and a Merlin Mk4 from 845 Naval Air Squadron took part alongside Chinook and Apache aircraft in the two-week exercise that ensures the UK’s helicopter squadrons are operating to the same exacting standards. Pilots and aircrew tackled a variety of challenging training scenarios, including air-to-air combat, electronic warfare training and air assault work – all under the guidance of an Aviation Task Force Headquarters.
The Wildcats headed to RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria to the electronic warfare range, where simulated surface-to-air missile systems provided a realistic method of practising extremely low-level flying to evade detection. The pilots were aided by a running commentary from the missile system’s operator on whether their tactics had been successful or not. Seven aircraft were deployed on an assault mission, with student instructors charged with coordinating and carrying it out.
Lieutenant Commander Dom Savage, 847’s newly-qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor, said: “This was the culmination of months of hard work. Bringing together elements from across Joint Aviation Command, it allows us to increase tactical cohesion and push the limits of all our aviators.
“Leading a seven aircraft aviation assault was a particular highlight for all involved. With one new Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructor and one new Qualified Weapons Instructor for 847 Naval Air Squadron, we are now better equipped to pass on our warfare experience to the junior pilots and rear-crew.”
The Wildcats and Merlin operated alongside Chinook and Apache helicopters to form a formidable helicopter formation for escort duties, surveillance and fire support as Commando Forces were inserted into combat to capture an enemy command centre on the ground.
RAF Chinooks subsequently withdrew the Commandos once they had achieved their mission objectives. After that exercise, the Wildcats and Merlin were required to retrieve personnel trapped on the ground.
One Wildcat delivered support utilising its machine guns, another maintained position directly above the landing zone and the third flew in close formation with the Merlin, which was assigned to collect the stranded individual. Upon finishing Hades Warrior, the student instructors are certified to go back to their squadrons and impart advanced flying techniques and weapons tactics to their peers.
When not participating in missions as part of the exercise, the Wildcat crews carry out their own practice on the electronic warfare range, as well as honing core skills such as Heli-abseiling at RAF Leeming.
