Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
Two Aviation Task Force 3 Chinooks from RAF Odiham have been supporting Exercise VIGILANT FOX in Finland.
Alongside CH-47F Chinooks and UH-60 Blackhawks from the United States and NH90s from Finland, the helicopters conducted mixed formation training to enable multi-aircraft aviation support to the Heli-borne Assault Force.
Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
Aviation support was supplied by a joint package of 2x UK CH-47, 2x US UH-60 and 1x FIN NH90. RAF aircrew planners forward based to Finland and worked with their counterparts to ensure well-integrated and successful training took place, whilst discussing their operating capabilities and differences.
Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
Throughout the rest of the week, the crews participated in staging operations, aviation assaults and defensive support missions which included rapid planning and integration within an evolving tactical ground scenario. Observations and improvements in procedures and tactical manoeuvres was shared between nations in comprehensive briefing and debriefing.
RAF Chinooks arrived in Estonia in early July as part of Aviation Task Force 3, taking over from a Puma detachment, which had been based in Lithuania for 6 weeks. The presence of the Aviation Task Force in the Baltic region integrates UK support helicopter with NATO Allies and Partners’ exercises over the summer training period.