Royal Navy pilots based in the South West were deployed to the North Sea for an extensive hostage rescue operation as part of intensive mission training with NATO allies. The exercise involved the Commando Helicopter Force’s 846 Naval Air Squadron, which took Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters to Schiphol International Airport to collaborate with the Dutch Police Aviation Support Unit and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps.

The training concluded with two maritime operations, where personnel carried out rescue missions from a Dutch coastguard vessel. According to the Royal Navy, this was a critical sharpening of the skills required for their role in the Maritime Counter Terrorism Aviation Group (MAG), which specializes in homeland maritime security.

MAG consists of 200 personnel and up to 13 aircraft, ready to respond to any maritime threats to the UK. The group’s headquarters is located at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.

Lieutenant Commander David Houghton-Barnes, Commander of the MAG, highlighted the significance of training with NATO allies, stating:

“Training with our NATO allies is always invaluable as we get to see a familiar challenge tackled in a different way. Fast roping onto a moving ship is a demanding task, and it was impressive to see everyone working together to safely interdict the target vessel. Most importantly, it reinforced our lasting friendships across the Channel so we can continue to learn from each other and collectively keep our sea lanes safe.”

The aviators' objective was the Dutch coastguard vessel Barend Biesheuvel, which, according to the scenario, had been hijacked by hostile actors who had taken hostages. During the exercise, assault troops descended from Merlin helicopters via ropes onto the vessel’s deck to execute the complex rescue operation.

The helicopters launched from Schiphol Airport, presenting a logistical challenge due to the airport’s six runways and heavy air traffic.

Lieutenant Andy Duffield, MAG Operations Officer, emphasized the complexities of the mission:

“Planning an aviation exercise from the world’s third busiest airport certainly has its challenges, but our Dutch colleagues facilitated everything to ensure that this training was a huge success.”

The successful execution of this mission further strengthened cooperation between the UK and its NATO allies, enhancing their readiness for real-world maritime security threats.