Crews from RNAS Culdrose join major deployment
BBCService personnel from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall have joined an eight month mission by the Royal Navy.
On Tuesday aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales left Portsmouth with helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton on board, and HMS Richmond left Plymouth.
Merlin helicopters set off from RNAS Culdrose near Helston on Wednesday to join the Carrier Strike Group.
The Merlins will be on board the Royal Navy's flagship alongside the Latest F35 B Stealth Jets.
HMS Prince of Wales leads a multi-national fleet of warships to 40 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia.
The aircraft carrier will embark four Merlin helicopters which departed from RNAS Culdrose.
The mission, called Operation Highmast, will also see more than 260 men and women from the naval air base deployed at sea.
RNAS Culdrose commanding officer Captain James Hall said it was "an emotional moment".
"We absolutely recognise the challenge and the difficulty this can create for families," he said.
"We've been working hard in the run up to the deployment by supporting the squadrons and the families to understand what we're asking of our people.
"We're on the start line now to support the team while they're deployed but to also support their families."
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