A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron lands on the flight deck of Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset.
The helicopter was conducting landing and taking off drills, winching operations and a simulated Helicopter In Flight Re-fuel (HIFR).
HMS Somerset is deployed to the Arabian Gulf for 6 months, to participate in Operation TELIC, providing security to Iraqi offshore oil infrastructure vital to the Iraqi economy and the reconstruction effort of the coalition campaign.
During her time in the region, Somerset will also participate in a variety of multi-national exercises and support UK strategic interests in the Middle East. Somerset has also supported Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the Mediterranean, providing reassurance and reinforcing freedom of navigation and conducted counter piracy operations of the Horn of Africa.
This image is available for non-commercial, high resolution download at www.defenceimages.mod.uk subject to terms and conditions. Search for image number 45152086.jpg
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Photographer: LA(Phot) Jennifer Lodge
Image 45152086.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Tags: 820 NAS Type 23 Frigate Gulf Somerset Royal Navy Equipment Aircraft Helicopter Merlin HM Mk1 820 Squadron Ship Frigate FFG Type 23 Duke Class HMS Somerset Defence Free Defense UK British Military
An air early warning (AEW) Seaking helicopter from 849 Naval Air Squadron is pictured during flying operations from HMS Ark Royal.
HMS Ark Royal was enroute to Glen Mallen in Scotland to de-ammunition as part of her decommissioning. Whilst she was passing the coast of Cornwall aircraft from Culdrose based squadrons took the opportunity to use the ship for deck landing practice and other serials.
This image is available for non-commercial, high resolution download at www.defenceimages.mod.uk subject to terms and conditions. Search for image number 45152082.jpg
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Photographer: POA(Phot) Ray Jones
Image 45152082.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Tags: 849 NAS Seaking Royal Navy Equipment Aircraft Helicopter AEW Air Early Warning Defence Free Defense UK British Military At Sea
A Merlin HM Mk1 helicopter based at RNAS Culdrose, with a Seahawk from the Australian Navy, flying over St Michael's Mount, Cornwall.
This image was submitted as part of the Peregrine 06 Photographic Competition.
This image is available for non-commercial, high resolution download at www.defenceimages.mod.uk subject to terms and conditions. Search for image number 45145974.jpg
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Photographer: Darren Macdonald
Image 45145974.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Tags: Peregrine 06 Photographic Competition. Merlin Seahawk Peregrine 06 Competition Australian Navy Landscape St Michael's Mount Cornwall Sea Defence Free Defense UK British Military HELSTON FRE
A Sea King MK7, conducted aircraft control over the Dhofar Mountain Range, Southern Oman.
The eyes of the fleet, 849 B flight had been taking part in the multinational air Exercise Magic Carpet 05 part of Marstrike 05, whilst on deployment on HMS Invincible. The exercise took place over South Oman from 19th February - 2nd March 2005. During the exercise the Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Command platform (SKASaC), was deployed and utilised to its full potential, conducting various operations. One of the main tasks was to control large aircraft packages including the Royal Navy's own FA2 Sea Harriers, RAF GR7 Harriers and F3 Tornadoes, US F/A-18 Hornets, Omani Hawks.
The long-planned series of exercises, entitled Marstrike 05, were designed to demonstrate Britain's ability to deploy, operate and sustain a maritime strike force and to reinforce the Government's commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean and Gulf regions.
Marstrike 05s main objective was to develop the operational capability of the participating units - in particular HMS Invincible strike role conducted with her tailored air group. Major focus of the deployment was Exercise Magic Carpet, a joint and combined exercise based on Oman with participation by the Omani, US and French forces.
This image was submitted as part of the Peregrine 06 Photographic Competition.
This image is available for non-commercial, high resolution download at www.defenceimages.mod.uk subject to terms and conditions. Search for image number 45145954.jpg
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Photographer: POA(Phot) Mick Storey
Image 45145954.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Tags: 849 NAS Oman Desert Helicopter Sea King Mk7 Peregrine 06 Photographic Competition. Peregrine 06 Competition Clouds Sand Exercise Magic Carpet 05 Marstrike 05 SKASaC Airborne Surveillance Defence Free Defense UK British Military FRE
Royal Marines are pictured fast roping HMS Portland's Lynx helicopter onto a dhow suspected of committing piracy in the indian Ocean.
HMS Portland boarded the suspicious vessel whilst carrying out Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the area.
This image is available for non-commercial, high resolution download at www.defenceimages.mod.uk subject to terms and conditions. Search for image number 45150378.jpg
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Photographer: LA(Phot) Alex Cave
Image 45150378.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Tags: Mark 8 Mk-8 Lynx Aircraft Equipment Personnel Royal Navy Pirates Anti Piracy Piracy Dhow Royal Marines Fast roping Helicopter MSO Martime security operations Boarding Rapid Roping Defence Free Defense UK British Military Fleet Sea 08 At sea FRE