Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
Photo RAF / Crown copyright |
"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