TWO Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopters are due to arrive in the Channel Islands for “important training” this weekend.
One helicopter will be landing at the rugby pitch at Grainville School on Friday morning, while the other will land at the Port Soif playing field in Guernsey before later departing to Sark and Little Sark.
The visit, which is scheduled to take place until Sunday, is intended to allow the aircraft crews to undertake training and to strengthen existing relationships with the islands’ governments, emergency services and local cadet forces.
In Jersey, there will also be an opportunity for troop training for the Jersey Field Squadron.
The helicopters are from 846 Naval Air Squadron, which is affiliated to Elizabeth College in Guernsey and Victoria College in Jersey
Historically an amphibious assault squadron, it has provided battlefield support across the globe, including operations in the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Channel Islands emergency planning officer Kevin Murphy described the visit as a “great training opportunity for the aircraft crews”.
“We’re keen to stress guidance for pet and livestock owners, who live near the vicinity of Grainville due to the noise the helicopters can create,” he added.
“We are grateful to pet and livestock owners in the area for their understanding while this important training takes place.”
