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Merlin helicopters take to skies (From Chelmsford Weekly News)
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Merlin helicopters take to skies
12:23am Monday 30th November 2009
Merlin helicopters have taken to the skies in Afghanistan beefing up the heavily-stretched air support for British troops, new pictures show.
The aircraft arrived at Camp Bastion in southern Helmand Province earlier this month.
After 10 days of operational flying the helicopters have reached initial operating capability a month earlier than expected.
The helicopters, which can carry up to 20 people, will be used for tasks including moving troops and equipment around Helmand and resupplying bases.
The deployment of the Merlins followed heated debate about whether British commanders in Afghanistan have enough helicopters at their disposal amid criticism that troops have been killed and wounded after being forced to travel by land.
The Merlins have undergone a £42.5 million upgrade programme since returning from operations in Iraq to prepare them for the different conditions encountered in Afghanistan, in particular high altitudes and very wide ranges of temperature.
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Merlin helicopters have taken to the skies in Afghanistan providing support for British troops
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