One of the tasks undertaken during the exercise was carrying underslung loads.

Exercise Jebel Sahara 2008 marked the first time since 2005 that RAF Merlins and Chinooks have exercised together. Held in the North African state of Morocco, the varied terrain of deserts and mountains proved to be ideal for training.

One of the challenges of operating in a desert is 'brown out’ - when visibility is reduced by sand being is blown up by the downwash from rotor blades. The exercise gave crews the chance to familiarise themselves with a situation that commonly occurs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chinook and Merlin aircrew practised flying in the Atlas Mountains, where peaks reach 14,000ft.

Chinook and Merlin aircrew also practised landing on rough and uneven ground.