Military helicopters over Ormskirk last night ?

[rogera]

At about 11.30pm last night 2 ( what seemed like ) military helicopters flew directly over my house and then proceeded to fly a clockwise circuit south of the town for at least 10 minutes.I would estimate the height to be about 1500' It was dark and the helicopters were too far away for me to identify. Would any ppruner have any idea what these helicopters were doing ?

[DaveReidUK]

Sounds more like a police deployment.

[Big Eric]

There's a military exercise in the area which involves a pair of Pumas.

[Hot 'n' High]

There's a military exercise in the area which involves a pair of Pumas.

East Anglia often sees Apaches in a similar situation. I often wonder what exercises they are doing tho. Much of of the time they are just drifting around quite slowly in seemingly random patterns ... doing a distinct impersonation of people who are hopelessly lost and trying to figure out where in deepest, darkest East Anglia they are!

Mmmmm, Apaches? Pongos? You know, I think I have just answered my own question! :E

H 'n' H

[rogera]

Thanks Big Eric, I thought the helicopters might be Pumas. How do you know it was a military exercise ?

[flightcatcher]

I can't post the link, but Google "RAF Benson" and look on their news page - quite a good explanation of the current exercise.

[TEEEJ]

PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING FOR THE PUMA FORCE

Date: 01 Jul 2019

The Puma Force will be conducting essential pre-deployment training in the Manchester, Merseyside, West Lancashire and Newcastle areas from 1-5 July 2019. Based from RAF Woodvale in Merseyside, Puma helicopters from 33 Squadron will be conducting training during the day and night using a variety of authorised helicopter landing sites in the areas.

Operating in an urban environment is a key skill required by the Puma helicopter crews and the training that is provided in the Manchester, Merseyside, West Lancashire and Newcastle areas is invaluable as they are unfamiliar environments for many of the crews. This helps to replicate the unfamiliarity they have with areas in Afghanistan in a safe environment prior to their deployment later in the year.

The Puma Force is currently supporting the ongoing NATO training mission in Afghanistan, with their role dubbed Operation TORAL. They provide life-saving air transport to NATO troops and visiting dignitaries around Kabul. During their pre-deployment training, the Puma crews will work with 4 Para and 4 Lancs Army Reserves to ensure the British Army maintain their familiarity with the Puma helicopter ahead of future operational deployments.

Alongside this role, the Puma Force also hold a National Standby commitment and contingency readiness. This means that serviceable aircraft and experienced crews are on standby to assist in the UK and overseas in any role required, which was recently highlighted when flooding hit Lincolnshire. While conducting their pre-deployment training, the crews will also work with local emergency services to highlight the capabilities that the Puma can bring to their operations and ensure that, should the need ever arise, the civilian emergency services can operate successfully alongside the Puma.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-benson/news/pre-deployment-training-for-the-puma-force/

[rogera]

thanks all