More Merlins boost helicopter force

Number 78 Squadron, originally formed in 1916, has joined 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, which has been heavily involved in operations in Iraq since 2005, to fly a pooled fleet of 28 Merlins following the acquisition of six additional helicopters from Denmark.

The pool consists of 22 Merlin HC3s, delivered to Benson during 2001 and 2002, plus the helicopters from Denmark, known as Merlin HC3As.  The new helicopters arrived mid 2007 and all are expected to be in service at Benson later this year once they have been brought up to RAF specifications by UK manufacturer Agusta/Westland.

A Merlin flypast heralded the start of the formal stand-up proceedings during which the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, inspected Benson personnel escorted by Benson's Station Commander, Group Captain Paul Lyall and the Officer Commanding 78 Squadron, Wing Commander Nigel Colman.  The occasion also included the consecration of a new 78 Squadron Standard by the RAF Chaplain-in-Chief, the Reverend (Air Vice Marshal) Peter Mills.

Sir Glenn told members of the reformed squadron and their families:

"Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past five years have demonstrated the essential role of battlefield mobility. The threat on the ground, terrain and environment makes the helicopter one of the safest, and in some cases, the only way to get troops and supplies to some of the remote locations where we have our troops stationed.

"The buying of the six aircraft from the Danish Air Force has been done in a very imaginative way, and very quickly.  It will also increase by 25 per cent the number of Merlins we have in the front line.  And when we are so reliant on capability, it will give us a real boost in that capability.  There will be lots of challenges ahead both here at Benson and, more crucially, on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Group Captain Lyall added:

"The chance to increase our fleet of helicopters and personnel has been extremely welcome.  Introducing a third operational squadron to RAF Benson in the timescale required would have been near impossible without the commitment and support of our personnel."

And Wing Commander Nigel Colman, Officer Commanding 78 Squadron, was also enthusiastic about the new capability:

"It is a privilege to command the men and women of 78 Squadron, and I sincerely believe that their strong team ethos, dedication and courage will allow us to build on the squadron's distinguished reputation as we deploy on overseas operations in the coming months."

78 Squadron operated fighters during the First World War, and Whitley and Halifax bombers during the Second World War.  For the past 21 years the squadron has flown Chinook and Sea King helicopters in the Falkland Islands.  Apart from the two Merlin squadrons, RAF Benson is also the main operating base for another of the RAF's helicopter workhorse types, the Pumas of No 33 Squadron, which have also been committed to operations in Iraq for many years.