Royal Navy pilots participated in hostage rescue exercises in the North Sea during boarding operations conducted alongside Dutch allies as part of rigorous mission training.
The Commando Helicopter Force’s 846 Naval Air Squadron deployed their Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters to Schiphol International Airport to collaborate with the Dutch Police Aviation Support Unit and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. This training concluded with two maritime interdiction missions aimed at rescuing hostages from a Dutch coastguard vessel.
“Training with our NATO allies is always invaluable as we get to see a familiar challenge tackled in a different way,” said Lieutenant Commander David Houghton-Barnes of 846 NAS.
“Fast roping to a moving ship is a demanding task, and it was impressive to see everyone working together to safely interdict the target vessel.
“Most importantly, it reinforced our lasting friendships across the Channel so we can continue to learn from each other and collectively keep our sea lanes safe.”
The aviators collaborated on the planning and briefings for their hostage rescue operation at Amsterdam International Airport following a two-and-a-half-hour flight from their base at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. Subsequently, they ascended into the air, equipped with assault troops. Their objective was the Dutch coastguard vessel, Barend Biesheuvel, which had been seized by hostile individuals holding hostages.
The Merlins approached the scene, supported by Dutch Police AW139 helicopters that provided aerial surveillance as assault troops fast-roped from the Merlins onto the vessel’s deck to execute the intricate rescue mission.
“Planning an aviation exercise from the world’s third busiest airport certainly has its challenges, but our Dutch colleagues facilitated everything to ensure that this training was a huge success,” added Lieutenant Andy Duffield of 846 NAS.
846 Naval Air Squadron
846 Naval Air Squadron is one of the two frontline Merlin Squadrons that make up the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force. The Squadron fly the AgustaWestland Merlin Mk4 and are the home of the Operational Conversion Flight. 846 NAS is historically an amphibious assault squadron, delivering Royal Marines from ship to shore. The Squadron has provided battlefield support in a number of operational theatres, including the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. As the home of the Operational Conversion Flight, 846 NAS train future pilots and aircrewman to operate the Merlin Mk4.
