Sea King helicopters in final flypast
Two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters have completed a final flypast over Devon and Cornwall ahead of their retirement from military service.
The two Sea Kings – aircraft ZE420 and ZA126 from 849 Naval Air Squadron – flew east toTeignmouth, over Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, the northern Cornish resorts of Padstow, Newquay and St Ives, before a final sight of Land’s End, Penzance, Mounts Bay and back to Culdrose.
The flight marks the end of 49 years of active military operations by Sea King. The helicopter was used for anti-submarine warfare, SAR missions, general duties, carrying Royal Marines Commandos into action and providing airborne early warning and intelligence to the fleet and ground forces.
The helicopters will now be flown to HMS Sultan in Gosport, where they will await disposal.
The fleet will be replaced by the new Merlin Crowsnest which will arrive at Culdrose in 2019 and will operate from new carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales from 2020 onwards.
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