News

RAF Merlin damaged in Afghanistan

June 29, 2010

The US Marine Corps has salvaged an RAF Merlin after the aircraft made a heavy landing in Afghanistan.

Rotorhub.com has been told the incident occured on 23 June after the Merlin assigned to 1419 Flight made a heavy landing at an assault base in the Lashkar Gar area of Helmand province.

No-one was seriously injured and the incident is now being investigated while the aircraft is being assessed to see if it can be returned to service.

Pictures released by the Marine Corps reveal the aircraft has been heavily stripped down for the airlift to Camp Bastion by CH-53 helicopter which took place three days later on 26 June.

By Tony Osborne, Rotorhub.com editorial team