Merlin roles

I found this article yesterday:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/awst/2010/06/14/AW_06_14_2010_p42-233177.xml

It mentions in it that the UK is using Merlins for CSAR and Special Operations. I had no idea they were being used in those roles, can anyone provide any other information on it, like modifications for those purposes? What other roles are the Merlins being used for?