RAF's Merlin 10 Years on Ops

The RAF Merlin Force is celebrating its return from 10 years of continual operational deployments following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The RAF Merlins, which are based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire first deployed to Bosnia in 2003 and have since provided essential helicopter lift for land forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With the first Merlin helicopters being delivered in 2001, the Merlin Force spent the next two years training relentlessly to operate the technologically sophisticated aircraft. On 31 March 2003 they achieved Initial Operating Capability and a day later they deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation OCULUS: the start of the Merlin Force’s enduring commitment to operations that has lasted for over 10 years.
The Merlin deployed to Bosnia in support of the UK’s continuing commitment to Peace Support Operations in the Balkans Region as part of the Stabilisation Force. The SFOR logo was fitted to the side of the aircraft and, from its base at the Banja Luka Metal Factory, the Merlin immediately set to work providing aviation support in the form of moving troops and supplies by air.
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Luxembourg takes over Op Atalanta airborne patrol duties

At the end of February the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPRA) detachment returns to the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta counter piracy mission.
The Benelux country takes over maritime patrol and reconnaissance duties from the Swedish Coast Guard MPRA unit operating from the Seychelles.
During previous deployments with EU NAVFOR, the two Luxembourg Merlin IIIC maritime patrol aircraft flew 775 missions, totalling 4,500 flying hours. These missions covered counter piracy sea searches, information gathering and vessel escorts.
In their previous deployment the aircraft were involved in over more than 50 maritime incidents; including detection of pirate action groups at sea, guiding EU NAVFOR and other counter piracy forces towards suspicious activity as well as providing imagery of piracy related incidents.
The acting detachment commander said: “We are pleased to have returned to the EU Naval Force mission. All members of the Luxembourg detachment recognise the importance of contributing to the overall counter piracy effort in the Somali Basin.”
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