Royal Navy submarine hunters from RNAS Culdrose have recently taken part in an exercise in Norway where they were pitted against underwater ‘foes’ from Norway and Germany in the challenging waters of the fjords.   

The detachment, based near Bergen in the west of Norway, saw 100 men and women from 824 and 814 Naval Air Squadrons make the journey for Exercise Green Eal – or Gunner Aal known by the Norwegians.

The Haakonsvern Helikopter base is on top of a steep, rocky hill topped with pine trees with views to the Fjords and the naval base below. With its modern Scandinavian-designed buildings, the Royal Navy sailors dubbed the facilities ‘Tracy Island’, for its likeness to the futuristic headquarters from TV puppet show Thunderbirds.

Three Merlin Mk2 helicopters took part in a series of exercises against Norwegian and German submarines.

Falmouth Packet: Two Merlin helicopter's during the Norway mission Two Merlin helicopter's during the Norway mission (Image: Royal Navy)

The commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, Captain Stuart Irwin said: “The ability to work closely with our allies in Norway during Exercise Green Eel has been a superb opportunity for all involved and gave us excellent access to train with live conventional submarines.”

“First and foremost, this was an opportunity for our trainee aircrew on 824 Naval Air Squadron to complete the final stages of operational flying training in the Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

“It gave them the experience of locating and tracking real submarines and enhanced the skills and techniques they will now take to the Merlin Helicopter Force’s frontline squadrons.”

For front-line aircrew such as 814 Squadron’s aviators – they support anti-submarine warfare operations around the UK and North Atlantic, especially from shore bases or the flight decks of Royal Navy frigates – Green Eel offered invaluable experience against live opponents.

It also allowed the engineers and support personnel to build on their experience, working with the UK’s allies at a distance from their main base in Cornwall.

Captain Irwin added: “Anti-submarine warfare is as vital in today’s world as it ever was, with our reliance on undersea pipelines and global communications.

"Merlin Helicopter Force is very much a part of defending that critical national infrastructure, and we regularly operate in the North Sea, North Atlantic and the Arctic."