Almost an entire squadron left Helston's navy base yesterday – and they will not return until the end of the year.
Seven helicopters and 190 people, making up almost all 820 squadron, bid farewell to their families and RNAS Culdrose to join HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The carrier – the Royal Navy’s new flagship – is taking part in exercises in UK waters in preparation for her maiden deployment to the Far East later this spring.
Working with the UK’s allies and NATO partners, she will visit 40 countries on her first deployment.
All seven Merlin Mk2 aircraft were lined up at RNAS Culdrose on Tuesday morning, ahead of planned departures throughout the day.
As well as anti-submarine warfare aircraft, they included three helicopters converted for airborne surveillance and control, fitted with powerful radars through the Crowsnest programme.
The helicopters of 820 Naval Air Squadron have been described as "the airborne guardians of the strike fleet." Between them, they will defend the carrier and her escorts from threats below the waves, on the surface and in the air.
The helicopters lined up on the tarmac
Commander Ian Varley, the commanding officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron, said: “This is a proud moment today. A tremendous amount of work has gone into getting us ready for this.
“ASaC is a new capability inserted into the existing Merlin Mk2 helicopter fleet. We are now embarking that in the carrier strike group, so we can have constant surveillance of the sea and airspace around the ships. This will protect the carrier and her escorts from any potential threat, be that missiles, aircraft or other warships.
The helicopters ready to leave Culdrose
“From my personal point, having ASaC back in the Fleet Air Arm is getting us back to where we used to be of old.
"I first started flying anti-submarine warfare helicopters and I also flew the equivalent of ASaC, which was the airborne early warning Sea King. That was when we had carriers with Sea Harriers and we were able to deploy anywhere around the world.
“Moving forward now into 2021, we are re-establishing that capability with our new carriers, as we work with our allies on this historic deployment for the Royal Navy and the United Kingdom.”
The 820 Naval Air Squadron is one of three Merlin Mk2 helicopter squadrons based out of RNAS Culdrose.
They will be gone until the end of the year
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