In Pictures
Pieces of an RAF Merlin helicopter are loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Brize Norton for transportation to the USA [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Aircrew of RAF Benson-based 606 Squadron during Exercise Merlin Vortex in the Californian desert [Picture: Senior Aircraftman James, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
A Merlin Mk3 practices dust landings in the southern desert of California during Exercise Merlin Vortex [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
RAF engineers work on a Merlin Mk3 helicopter during Exercise Merlin Vortex in California [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
An RAF engineer gets up close and personal with a Merlin Mk3 from RAF Benson in the Californian desert [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
An RAF engineer makes repairs to the body of a Merlin helicopter during a four-month exercise in the southern desert of California [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Acting Sergeant Warwick-Saunders is a member of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and is currently in El Centro providing flight operations support to the Merlin Force [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
A female Merlin pilot prepares to land in the desert of southern California during Exercise Merlin Vortex [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Lieutenant Commander Neil 'Charlie' Parrock, Detachment Commander for Exercise Merlin Vortex 09, at the controls of an RAF Merlin helicopter [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Corporal Nick Spring is a 30-year-old avionics technician with the Merlin Force Engineering Squadron, responsible for keeping the aircraft's electronics and avionics systems serviceable [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
Flight Sergeant Jim Jarvis is trained as an Air Loadmaster and currently works with the Mobile Air Operations Team. His task in El Centro is to provide radio communications and Support Helicopter support [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]