Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
LONDON — The U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) has disbanded one of its two AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin helicopter squadrons, as it hands over the fleet to the Royal Navy. In a ceremony at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, on Sept. 30, the RAF closed down 78 Sqdn., while the Royal Navy stood up 846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), which will fly the Merlin Mk. 3 helicopters as part of the Commando Helicopter Force, the U.K.’s main amphibious transport helicopter organization.
