PICTURE of the day: Royal Navy Sea Kings In Action

Royal Navy Sea Kings from 845 and 856 Naval Air Squadrons are part of the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan). These images were from a recent flight over the green zone in a Sea King Mk4+.


The aircraft can seat up to 27 troops and is fitted with an external cargo hook capable of carrying underslung loads weighing up to 6000lbs such as light artillery. A rescue hoist is fitted as standard.


The aircraft is fitted with a Defensive Aids Suite which offers a high standard of protection from both Infra-Red (IR) and radar guided anti-aircraft weapons. It is also armed with a cabin mounted 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) for self defence and limited fire support.


On the Squadrons return from Iraq, the Sea King Mk 4 required upgrading to enable it to operate in Afghanistan. So within days of returning from Iraq the first Sea King began a modification programme to both improve its performance for the hot and high conditions of Afghanistan and to enhance its capability to deliver effect on the battlefield. This meant fitting a new design of rotor blades, a high performance tail rotor, an updated Defensive Aids Suite, an improved avionics and radio suite to detect and deter anti-aircraft radar, missiles and guns and a new Display Night Vision Goggle capability. This large package of modifications resulted in the Sea King Mk 4 becoming the Sea King Mk4+.


845 and 846 Squadrons Naval Air Squadron primarily provides 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines with tactical troop transport and load lifting helicopters. Together with all elements of the Commando Helicopter Force, the squadrons are based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.


A Royal Marine Crewman in action



Narrative: Squadron Leader Neville Clayton, RAF
Pictures: Cpl Lynny Cash