Apaches in the Arctic Circle
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Apaches in the Arctic Circle
From the BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-engla...circle-missionThe British Army’s Apache attack helicopters have made their flying debut inside the Arctic Circle.
A six-week training exercise between the Army Air Corps 656 Squadron, 4 Regiment and the Commando Helicopter Force has been operating in Norway with temperatures dropping to -27C.
The Apaches are part of the Attack Helicopter Force, based at Wattisham, in Suffolk.
Maj Huw Raikes, Officer Commanding 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, said "It’s been a challenge and a privilege to bring the Apache into the Arctic for the first time.
"We’ve been working at the limits of both human and the aircraft’s performance.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-engla...circle-missionThe British Army’s Apache attack helicopters have made their flying debut inside the Arctic Circle.
A six-week training exercise between the Army Air Corps 656 Squadron, 4 Regiment and the Commando Helicopter Force has been operating in Norway with temperatures dropping to -27C.
The Apaches are part of the Attack Helicopter Force, based at Wattisham, in Suffolk.
Maj Huw Raikes, Officer Commanding 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps, said "It’s been a challenge and a privilege to bring the Apache into the Arctic for the first time.
"We’ve been working at the limits of both human and the aircraft’s performance.”
"It’s been a challenge and a privilege
Possibly more a Crab thing as Sloppy LInk suggests. I worked with some excellent OC's in the AAC who had the respect of their Squadron and led by example. A few were former Sergeant pilots too - and certainly none of them lived in a 4 star hotel on exercise.
I have seen excellent and appalling OCs in both Services in my time (10 years total at Wallop don't forget) so I'm not biased, just cynical as to the need for AH in the Arctic.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
I have seen excellent and appalling OCs in both Services in my time (10 years total at Wallop don't forget) so I'm not biased, just cynical as to the need for AH in the Arctic.
I cant relate to the OC's part of the discussion, but I can relate to the arctic circle part.
I guess its a milestone and an accomplishment to them, but to a large population of aviators from Canada, thats just a spring tour in the southern part of the arctic.
-27C is a non issue to most of us.
I guess its a milestone and an accomplishment to them, but to a large population of aviators from Canada, thats just a spring tour in the southern part of the arctic.
-27C is a non issue to most of us.
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I cant relate to the OC's part of the discussion, but I can relate to the arctic circle part.
I guess its a milestone and an accomplishment to them, but to a large population of aviators from Canada, thats just a spring tour in the southern part of the arctic.
-27C is a non issue to most of us.
I guess its a milestone and an accomplishment to them, but to a large population of aviators from Canada, thats just a spring tour in the southern part of the arctic.
-27C is a non issue to most of us.
JD
Originally Posted by [email protected]
I have seen excellent and appalling OCs in both Services in my time (10 years total at Wallop don't forget) so I'm not biased, just cynical as to the need for AH in the Arctic.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d...rctic-strategy
This would be from the same Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, who said the Russians should 'just shut up and go home' and now wants to use ferries as warships.
Wouldn't trust any strategy that egit comes up with.
Wouldn't trust any strategy that egit comes up with.
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Well there's nothing new about protecting the Northern Flank, and to protect it, means you have to train. The Royal Marines have been doing "Clockwork XXXXXX" since the year dot, with varying aviation support from Harriers, CHOSC, 3 Cdo Bde Air Sqn, and 2 Flt AAC as they all were in those days. As for the "...-27C was sunbathing weather when I was a lad..." crowd, yes, you can acclimatize to extreme cold weather operations, but it's still a hazardous operating environment for both personnel and equipment. Good to see the Apache being used in those conditions.
As for OC AAC, he is the spokesman for the aircrew, the REME technicians who have to go out and service a cold-soaked aircraft, the AAC ground crew who refuel, rearm and ground handle these aircraft, the RLC who provision and supply the spares to keep them flying, plus a myriad of support staff to keep the Squadron operational in those conditions. They all know how long the logistics tail is, especially for the Apache, they also know the OC speaks for all of them when he says what an achievement this is.
As for OC AAC, he is the spokesman for the aircrew, the REME technicians who have to go out and service a cold-soaked aircraft, the AAC ground crew who refuel, rearm and ground handle these aircraft, the RLC who provision and supply the spares to keep them flying, plus a myriad of support staff to keep the Squadron operational in those conditions. They all know how long the logistics tail is, especially for the Apache, they also know the OC speaks for all of them when he says what an achievement this is.
Or just needing to justify their existence and that of the E model buy since there is little desert warfighting to be done nowadays. If the Northern flank was that important, why haven't they been sent there before?
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Or just needing to justify their existence and that of the E model buy since there is little desert warfighting to be done nowadays. If the Northern flank was that important, why haven't they been sent there before?
...We all know the way to absolutely guarantee more desert warfare is to get the AAC Combat Ready in the Arctic role.
Two's In
We all know the way to absolutely guarantee more desert warfare is to get the AAC Combat Ready in the Arctic role.
Perhaps Crab should go to Norway to advise on `hover-taxiing in freezing fog`.....
