HELICOPTERS ARE ONCE again beating their rotors around Moray as three Royal Navy helicopters are currently operating from RAF Lossiemouth.
The Merlin Mk-2 anti-submarine aircraft will remain for a few days on a detachment from 820 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose just outside Helston in Cornwall.
The idea is to provide the Navy aviators an opportunity to familiarise themselves with RAF Lossiemouth and the workings of the Typhoon main operating base – with this visit the first of several similar detachments throughout the summer.
In total 70 personnel from 820 NAS, known as the ‘Flying Fish’, will be carrying out training sorties from the Moray base – several of those happening over this weekend. The sorties, which will take place during daylight hours, will include training with the RNLI lifeboat from Buckie to carry out sea drills.
Their CO is Commander Jon Holroyd, who said: “820 Naval Air Squadron has journeyed the full length of the UK, some 700 miles, from our home in Cornwall, bringing with us three Merlin Mk2 Helicopters and just over 70 Naval personnel.
“It is a great opportunity for me and my team to be here at what is clearly a busy air station bringing with us a rotary edge to operations.
“We are all grateful to RAF Lossiemouth, Kinloss Barracks and the people of Moray for hosting us over the coming days. Hopefully by planning an exciting flying programme and a selection of community engagements, we will be able to make the most out of our time up here.”