RAF Merlin helicopters on Exercise Pashtung Vortex in Jordan

The following images, released by the UK Ministry of Defence, shows a Royal Air Force Merlin helicopter navigating a desert valley in Jordan during Exercise Pashtung Vortex.

According to the press release, “Ex Pashtung Vortex was an overseas Training Exercise, taking place around Aqaba, Jordan and involving aircraft from the Merlin Force based at RAF Benson. The exercise enabled enviromental training and pre-deployment training objectives to be achieved.”

Three Merlin choppers were deployed. The aircraft were supported and sustained by a Joint Helicopter Force Jordan, formed by elements from RAF Benson and support units.

Image credit: UK MoD/Crown Copyright

About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.