RAF Chinooks return home from supporting NATO Operations in Estonia.....

Two Chinooks from RAF Odiham have returned home after supporting the UK-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic Region since 8 July 2022.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

Based out of Amari Air Base in Estonia, the deployment was an opportunity for the RAF Chinooks to train with a wide range of allies and partners and demonstrate the battle-winning capabilities of the aircraft to international colleagues.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

It proved to be a busy period for the detachment, with more than 1600 passenger movements and 13.5 tonnes of freight transported. In just a short amount of time, Aviation Task Force 3 was able to share the Chinook’s capabilities with US, Belgian, French, Finnish, Estonian and Danish military personnel, as well as with members of the public, at the Baltic International Air Show in Latvia, and journalists from Estonia and Finland.

Following the successful handover from the Puma Force based at RAF Benson, the Chinook Force element of Aviation Task Force 3 hit the ground running and immediately began working alongside the UK, US and European assets.

On 19 July 2022, the Chinook Force welcomed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Estonia, Mr Ross Allen, accompanied by the Defence Attaché, who visited Aviation Task Force 3. Her Majesty’s Ambassador spent time talking to the deployed personnel and received a familiarisation flight of the local area we used for training.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

Exercise VIGILANT FOX commenced on 26 July 22, where the Chinook Force worked alongside the UK’s C Company from 2 RIFLES. The 70 Riflemen were transported via Chinook from Santahamina to Niinisalo, Finland to undertake a four-day validation exercise with the Finnish Karelian Brigade and Jaeger Guard Regiment. For UK Chinooks, the exercise preparation began with 3-days of joint ground training interspersed with 2, 3 and 4-ship sorties. Flying in tri-lateral mixed formation at low level and into confined areas brought the aviation units to the same standard and reinforced existing procedures.

Aviation Task Force 3 were involved in a number of key activities, including the transportation of 7.5 tonnes of materiel to Vaindloo island. This was in support of the Estonian Navy, which could not complete the task organically due to the lack of a port on the island. The under-slung load capability of the Chinook was utilised and facilitated by the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, making for an uncommon sight in the skies of Estonia, which does not have its own Support Helicopter Force.

"It has been a joy and a privilege to deploy Aviation Task Force 3 and 2 Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron, RAF Odiham, to Estonia.  Working alongside other NATO Forces and Allies, this detachment provided many training opportunities and encountered a number of challenges along the way but, with the help of Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, TSW and 244 Signal Regiment the team overcame those challenges and achieved some outstanding results. There are too many highlights to capture them all; however, within the 5-weeks deployed, some headline figures are: the detachment achieved over 174 flying hours, moved 13.5 tonnes of freight and transported 1674 passengers including UK, Estonian, Belgian, US, French, Danish, Finnish, and Portuguese troops, all in support of various exercises and operations.

Of note, the well documented success of Exercise VIGILANT FOX, in support of the UK, US and Finnish validation exercise, was a great opportunity to hone mixed formation skills and support ground formations. Once again, the unique characteristics of the MK5 Chinook came to the fore, utilising its long range and large payload capabilities. Moreover, at the request of our host nation, Aviation Task Force 3 transported building material to Vaindloo Island (a remote island in the Finnish Channel with limited access) which was another opportunity to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the Chinook helicopter."

Wing Commander Butler
Aviation Task Force 3 Detachment Commander

 

"Aviation Task Force 3’s deployment on Operation PELEDA has been a huge success and we have been privileged to provide support to our Estonian partners whilst in Theatre. One task which stands out for me is assisting the Estonian Navy in moving 7.5T worth of building material to Vaindloo Island, a remote island located in the Gulf of Finland and the northernmost land point of the country. It doesn’t have a seaport and so we were asked to use our CH47 to move the equipment and it was a real demonstration of teamwork, both for Aviation Task Force 3 and with the Estonians. The host nation had been waiting six months to complete this task, and although it required some detailed planning, we were really pleased that we were able to achieve it with them in our final week."

Flight Lieutenant Chappell
Aviation Task Force 3 Chief of Staff

Photo RAF / Crown copyright