British attack helicopters operating in Libya (merged)
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"to what extent were the Scouts / Gazelles / Lynx of 3CBAS carrier integrated?
Were they capable of operating from ships like this or did they have to be based ashore?
And weren't 847 supposed to be getting Apaches to replace their Lynx?"
Yes they were fully integrated.
They wanted Cobra because it is marinised, but were never going to get it once the Army went Apache. Getting Wildcat.
I'm not having a go at the Apache boys, but I would be interested to see what the environment is doing to the airframes, and having seen the Apache dunker, I am impressed by their bravery.
I can't imagine there is any problem in the Wardroom and Messdecks. We have put up with stray Crabs for years, and we tend to get along with the Army rather better since they know how to hold a knife and fork.
Were they capable of operating from ships like this or did they have to be based ashore?
And weren't 847 supposed to be getting Apaches to replace their Lynx?"
Yes they were fully integrated.
They wanted Cobra because it is marinised, but were never going to get it once the Army went Apache. Getting Wildcat.
I'm not having a go at the Apache boys, but I would be interested to see what the environment is doing to the airframes, and having seen the Apache dunker, I am impressed by their bravery.
I can't imagine there is any problem in the Wardroom and Messdecks. We have put up with stray Crabs for years, and we tend to get along with the Army rather better since they know how to hold a knife and fork.
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and where is Albion? This news item is interesting
HMS Albion plays tag | Shephard Group
"HMS Albion plays tag
April 28, 2011
HMS Albion demonstrates her versatility by operating a Tailored Air Group (TAG) of two Sea King Mk4 helicopters together with two Lynx Mk7s.
It's almost a month since the lead ships from the Response Force Task Group (RFTG) left the UK for the Cougar 11 deployment. Whilst HMS Albion has a twin spot flight deck, she has no hangar. Consequently, the 18,500 tonne assault ship was never intended to operate her own air group - and certainly not for an extended period of time.
However this hasn't stopped the aircrew of 847 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons calling the Fleet Flagship home. Crews from both Yeovilton based squadrons, which are part of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), embarked prior to the ship leaving the UK and have provided a sizeable and potent Tailored Air Group for important amphibious exercises off Cyprus.
All four helicopters were in operation over the territorial waters belonging to UK Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus for Wader training, which is a series of amphibious training exercises, ranging from basic embarkation and disembarkation drills all the way up to simulated raids on a coastal target and live fire training.".......
"He said: "A sustained helicopter deployment of this kind hasn't been attempted before due to the limited aviation support facilities onboard the HMS Albion, but the ship and the squadrons have worked hard to sustain a busy flying programme".
Captain James Morley, HMS Albion's Commanding Officer, added: "The tailored air group has integrated quickly into the ship, and adds an important element of capability to what is already one of the most versatile units in the armed forces inventory - and particularly well-suited to the potential range of challenges that we now face in North Africa and the Middle East.""
HMS Albion plays tag | Shephard Group
"HMS Albion plays tag
April 28, 2011
HMS Albion demonstrates her versatility by operating a Tailored Air Group (TAG) of two Sea King Mk4 helicopters together with two Lynx Mk7s.
It's almost a month since the lead ships from the Response Force Task Group (RFTG) left the UK for the Cougar 11 deployment. Whilst HMS Albion has a twin spot flight deck, she has no hangar. Consequently, the 18,500 tonne assault ship was never intended to operate her own air group - and certainly not for an extended period of time.
However this hasn't stopped the aircrew of 847 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons calling the Fleet Flagship home. Crews from both Yeovilton based squadrons, which are part of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), embarked prior to the ship leaving the UK and have provided a sizeable and potent Tailored Air Group for important amphibious exercises off Cyprus.
All four helicopters were in operation over the territorial waters belonging to UK Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus for Wader training, which is a series of amphibious training exercises, ranging from basic embarkation and disembarkation drills all the way up to simulated raids on a coastal target and live fire training.".......
"He said: "A sustained helicopter deployment of this kind hasn't been attempted before due to the limited aviation support facilities onboard the HMS Albion, but the ship and the squadrons have worked hard to sustain a busy flying programme".
Captain James Morley, HMS Albion's Commanding Officer, added: "The tailored air group has integrated quickly into the ship, and adds an important element of capability to what is already one of the most versatile units in the armed forces inventory - and particularly well-suited to the potential range of challenges that we now face in North Africa and the Middle East.""
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In an age of austerity she offers innovation and affordability, as well as a practical and politically uncomplicated way to meet the likely challenges arising from environmental and population change, failing states or geo-political insecurity.
in English = a ship
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I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Prince Harry yet!!
We all know how keen he is to be in the thick of military ops......
We all know how keen he is to be in the thick of military ops......
Top Neddy: We need an op Prince Harry can fly a chopper in.
Middle Neddy: Afghanistan is ongoing...
Top Neddy: Too risky, meeja outrage last time don'tcha know. Besides, the Gurkha's can't form a protective detail when he's airborne.
Middle Neddy: I see your point Sir, but overstretch...
Top Neddy: OVERSTRETCH?! Wash your mouth out boy!
Middle Neddy: Well we're a bit stuck then, Afghan is our defence priority...
Top Neddy: True, true. Have a look at other hotspots. Creaky defence, insane leader, easy reach for our forces. Got to be sandy though. Our chaps love fighting in sand. Remember, all our kit for the next 30 years has been specced to work in the desert - won't work in humid conditions according to BAES.
Middle Neddy: I know the very place Sir...
Last edited by Willard Whyte; 25th May 2011 at 05:56.
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"I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Prince Harry yet!!
We all know how keen he is to be in the thick of military ops......"
I was thinking the exact thing today.
Has he finished his training yet ?
I know he has his wings but didn't he have 6 more months to go
on all the other kit he needs to learn ?
We all know how keen he is to be in the thick of military ops......"
I was thinking the exact thing today.
Has he finished his training yet ?
I know he has his wings but didn't he have 6 more months to go
on all the other kit he needs to learn ?
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
I would just like to wish the guys and gals Godspeed and hope you all come home safely. 
Lets not forget that all throughout history the soldiers/sailors/airmen involved with all wars are simply following the orders of politicians who follow the Churchillian philosophy of, 'History will be kind to me, I intend to write it'.
When this is all over, we will very quickly be re-reading about good old Tommy Atkins, while parliament sits sipping bubbly overlooking the Thames.
'History never repeats itself, but it rhymes' !
Mark Twain
Lets not forget that all throughout history the soldiers/sailors/airmen involved with all wars are simply following the orders of politicians who follow the Churchillian philosophy of, 'History will be kind to me, I intend to write it'.
When this is all over, we will very quickly be re-reading about good old Tommy Atkins, while parliament sits sipping bubbly overlooking the Thames.
'History never repeats itself, but it rhymes' !
Mark Twain
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I hope 2 Sqn RAFR are working up
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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It does make me chuckle. French announce that they are deploying helos alongside their British AH comrades.....MOD Spokesman, rather predictably shouts 'Deny everything Baldrick!'. Bunch of clowns. Activity over the weekend rather puts paid to the MOD denials. 
The denial seems to be more than just your standard MOD spokesperson.
BBC News - Libya unrest: UK 'undecided' on sending helicopters
Although of course no one has ever told a lie to parliament before
BBC News - Libya unrest: UK 'undecided' on sending helicopters
Although of course no one has ever told a lie to parliament before
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
The French are also sending a proper helicopter...............Gazelle.
France has sent a number of Tiger helicopters to Libya, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé has confirmed. The helicopters, 12 it is believed but this number could also include some Gazelles, are on board the Tonnerre, the newest of the French navy's BPC Mistral-class multimission ships which sailed from the Mediterranean port of Toulon last Thursday. A spokesman for the armed forces chief of staff said that “for the moment the Tonnerre is not engaged in operations in Libya” but added that if it were to become so “this would not contradict UN Resolution 1973” which basically authorizes force to be used to protect Libyan civilians.
Juppé, briefly defense minister before being appointed to the foreign ministry, largely overshadows Gérard Longuet who holds the defense portfolio, and it was he who explained that the helicopters would “enable us to adapt our ground attack capacities more precisely,” or, in other words, target objectives that are too difficult or risky to be targeted by combat aircraft because surrounded by civilian buildings.The HAP version of the Tiger which the French currently have can fire 68mm rockets and four air-to-air Mistral missiles. It also has a 30mm gun.
Juppé was speaking in the margins of a European Union Foreign Ministers' meeting in which the EU decided to strengthen sanctions against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi “in order to stop his regime from renewing his military arsenal and recruiting mercenaries.”
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Good to see the RAF getting publicity for their Apache helicopters! 
RAF showcase Apache helicopter amid Libya rumours - The Telegraph 25 May 11
RAF showcase Apache helicopter amid Libya rumours - The Telegraph 25 May 11
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:confused:
Its asked above but is the Apache designed to operate from ships? And I mean corrosion protection. I doubt it has high percentage of composites like newer platforms (Tiger maybe?).