Merlins to return to RAF Benson after Afghanistan role

Helicopter crews are set to return to Oxfordshire after Britain's fleet of Merlin HC3 aircraft carried out its final operations in Afghanistan.

The Merlins have provided support to British forces on the front line in Helmand province for four years.

Aircrew will return to RAF Benson while engineers prepare the aircraft to be transported back to the UK.

The end of Merlin flights comes as UK military hands over security responsibility to Afghan forces.

  • Oxford