The UK MoD placed an initial order for 22 Merlin HC.3 airframes in Mar 1995. All of the Merlin HC3's are operated by 28 Sqn based at RAF Benson. Their first operational tour was in Bosnia which started in April 2003, being based at Banja Luka with two aircraft. In March 2005 the Merlins were deployed to Iraq for the first time. The aircraft self deployed to theatre over a period of four days. The detachment is known as 1419 Flight and is based at Basra Air Station.
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