Friday 6th January 2023
A new club is seeking former members of a specialist team that saved many lives in Afghanistan flying helicopter medical emergency missions.
The Club is an organisation that reconnects members of the UK’s Medical Emergency Response Team, known as MERT. The team provided critical treatment to casualties, flying to collect the wounded from point of injury.
The team worked out of a Chinook helicopter specially equipped as a flying hospital. Nearly 7000 priority patients were supported utilising an extensive range of on-board lifesaving equipment.
More than 2,000 personnel served on MERT during the Afghan conflict between 2006 and 2014 including aircrew, doctors, paramedics, nurses, medics and force protection teams.
Now the club is looking for former MERT personnel across the UK and inviting them to get in touch.
Interior of a Chinook configurated for MERT operations
The club was set up by two former members of the RAF, Squadron Leader Shaun Pascoe and Sergeant Robert ‘Bob’ Shenton. Shaun served for 16 years while Bob is former-aircrew and served for 11.
Shaun said: “The aim of The MERT Club is to provide a place where past members can re-connect with old friends, share their experiences and help to preserve the team’s unique history.
“We would love to hear from any past members who would like to join and enjoy our social events throughout the year. Membership is open to anyone who served on MERT in Afghanistan and you will be assured of a warm and friendly welcome”.
The MERT Club is a registered non-profit Community Interest Company and is supported by The RAF Benevolent Fund, The Lest We Forget Association and The Armed Forces Covenant Fund.
Former members can reconnect and find old friends through a closed Facebook page facebook.com/groups/themertclub.
For more information about joining the club, contact [email protected] or visit the website mertclub.co.uk.
