Navy base RNAS Culdrose set for biggest Merlin helicopter exercise since Cold War

Sailors at RNAS Culdrose have been busy training and getting everything ready for one of their biggest operations since the Cold War.

Next Monday, nine of the latest Merlin helicopters carrying more than 250 personnel will fly off from the base near Helston.

Their home for four weeks will be the Atlantic Ocean on broad the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. They will take part in continuous operations to hunt for French and British submarines shadowing the carrier in an exercise code named Deep Blue.

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