Hundreds from RNAS Culdrose to join HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast
It's for an eight month mission across the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Last updated 23rd Apr 2025
More than 200 men and women from the Cornwall based Merlin Helicopter force are headed out to the Far East for what the Navy calls its premier deployment of 2025.
The staff from RNAS Culdrose are joining aircraft carrier the HMS Prince of Wales for an eight month mission across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Up to 4500 British military personnel will be involved overall.
82\0 Naval Air Squadron is the Merlin Mk2 helicopter unit dedicated to protecting the carrier group and will take part in the entire deployment, operating from HMS Prince of Wales.
The squadron is embarking its Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopters as well as its Merlins adapted for airborne, surveillance and control. It means the force can counter potential threats to the strike group from the skies, surface and underwater.
Commander Karen Snel, who as Commanding Officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron until yesterday oversaw the widespread preparations, said: “As a squadron, we’ve been building up to this deployment with training and operations as part of carrier strike groups through successive embarkations. Most recently that involved a deployment called Exercise Strike Warrior in the Atlantic during the autumn of last year.
“In terms of personnel and aircraft, this is the most significant since HMS Queen Elizabeth was last deployed to the Far East in 2021.
“Our air engineers have been working hard to ensure all the aircraft will be at the highest possible standard of maintenance and availability for tasking. Balancing that availability against the need for training during this period of preparation is just one of many challenges we are overcoming.
“Although we are undoubtedly busy, there is a real focus and energy around the squadron as we pull together and prepare to deploy. Our people are really excited for the professional and personal opportunities the deployment brings.
“Not everyone gets to deploy to the Far East in an aircraft carrier and everyone at 820 NAS is absolutely in their element when at sea, doing the job we joined up to do.”