 One of the most extensively modified variants was the Westland Commando , operated by the Royal Navy as the HC4 . The Commando had capacity for up to 28 fully equipped troops and had originally been developed to meet an Egyptian Air Force requirement . Due to the deletion of the amphibious capability , not required in the Egyptian desert , the most noticeable change from the Sea King was the deletion of the side floats , the main undercarriage being carried on stub sponsons . An improved variant of the Egyptian Commando , with changes including the fitting of folding blades common to the ASW variants , was designated as the Sea King HC4 by the Royal Navy and all the aircraft were new build . First flying on 26 September 1979 , due to its operational range of up to 600 nautical miles without refuelling , the HC4 ' Commando ' became an important asset for amphibious warfare and troop transport duties , in particular . Several Royal Naval Air Squadrons have operated the Commando variant , such as 845 Naval Air Squadron , 846 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron . In British service , the Sea King HC4 was deployed on operations in the Falklands , the Balkans , both Gulf Wars , Sierra Leone , Lebanon and Afghanistan . Towards the end of the Sea King 's operational life , several HAS6s were repurposed by the removal of the ASW equipment , as troop transports . In 2010 , the last of the UK 's converted ASW Sea Kings to troop transports were retired . 
