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T H E J H C D E L I V E R I N G J O I N T S U C C E S S O N O P E R A T I O N S

E xerc ise
CLOCKWORK2015

Ground
Control to
Major Tim
A Merlin Storm
on Salisbury Plain Operation
Merlin Meets
Japan’s Defence
Minister TORAL
First Operational Deployment
for RAF Puma Mk2

The RAF Chinook Force is

Coming Home
from Afghanistan
J O U R N A L O F T H E J O I N T H E L I C O P T E R C O M M A N D
 ISSUE 1, 2015 FOREWORD

14 EDITORIAL
Editor: Sqn Ldr Mark Radbourne
E: JHC-RPS-Media-SO2@mod.uk
T: 01264 381 122
–
SALES
Sales Manager: Jo Marchant
E: jo@lancepublishing.co.uk
T: 01536 526 674
–
DESIGNER
Designer: Chris Keller
E: chris@lancepublishing.co.uk
T: 01536 526 672
–
34 PUBLISHER
Lance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor,
16
Message from
Tailby House, Bath Road,
Kettering, Northants NN16 8NL
T: 01536 512 624

the Commander
E: mike@lancepublishing.co.uk
W: www.lancepublishing.co.uk
Company Registration No. 3253372
–
PRINTER 2015 has started at a pace. also go to all those involved in achieving
Lance Print Ltd, 29/30 Stapledon As I write this, over 1,400 JHC Puma 2 Initial Operating Capability
Road, Orton Southgate, personnel are deployed on (IOC) and their timely deployment.
Peterborough PE2 6TD operations and exercises The rest of JHC has been training
T: 01733 390 564 across the world. hard throughout the world. 16 Air
E: lanceprint@lanceprint.co.uk Assault Brigade continue to develop

S
W: www.lanceprint.co.uk ignificant milestones have been an integrated capability with the US
– achieved already in 2015. RNAS Army’s 82nd Airborne Division - on the
FURTHER INFORMATION Yeovilton has welcomed back 846 Combined Joint Operational Access
W: w ww.mod.uk/defenceinternet/ NAS - now equipped with Merlin Exercise (CJOAX). This development
aboutdefence/whatwedo/ Mk3. Wildcat CTT 1 has graduated, work will be extended to our aviation
airsafetyandaviation/jhc paving the way for generations of crews forces in Germany later this year on
– who will operate this new capability. CJOAX 2. I have witnessed the excellent
EDITORIAL SUBMISSION DATE: Further from home Afghanistan continues arctic and desert training being
Day XXth Month 2015. Please to be a part of our business. On 1st conducted in Norway (CLOCKWORK)
submit all entries for the next issue April 2015 the Puma Force assumed and in Gila Bend (Ex CRIMSON EAGLE)
by no later than the date stated. responsibility for UK aviation support respectively. I was pleased to see that

28
NEWS
16 Air Assault Brigade Commemorates
its Service in Afghanistan ................... 4
Learning Takes Flight with Army ........ 5
EQUIPMENT/CAPABILITY
846 NAS Comes Home to Somerset .... 6
Vector Aerospace and Boeing Bring
RAF Chinook Back to Life ..................... 7
Minister Visits RAF Odiham ................. 8
PM Announces Through Life
Support for UK Chinook Force ............. 9
Wildcat Success .................................. 10
Wildcat Engineering Transition .......... 11
The RAF Chinook Force is Coming
Home from Afghanistan ..................................14
Op TORAL: First Operational
Deployment for RAF Puma Mk2 ........................... 15
TRAINING
Ex CLOCKWORK 2015 ...................................... 16
Ex VOIJEKS STRIKE ........................................ 18
Airtroopers Battle to be the Best .................. 19
A Merlin Storm on Salisbury Plain ................. 20
16 Air Assault Brigade Prepares
for American Exercise .................................... 22
Ex CLOCKWORK Resupplies
Remote Norwegian Log Cabin ..................... 24
Commando Helicopter Force
Redcaps Train for Global Operations .............. 28
A Busy Start for 29 (BATUS) Flt AAC ................ 30
Logistics & Maintenance Troops Take Aim ..... 32
HONOURS & AWARDS
JHC Lead Commemorative Fly Past .......... 33
Honour for Apache Display Team .............. 39
PEOPLE
Merlin Meets Japan’s Defence Minister .... 34
End of an Era ............................................. 35
Ground Control to Major Tim .................. 36
SPORT & CHARITY
Double Recognition for Sporting Soldier ..... 40
–
COVER CREDIT
to Op TORAL. This ended 13 years of
Chinook operations in Afghanistan and
all were challenging assumptions and
developing TTPs suited to the Contingent
© MoD Crown Copyright marked the first operational deployment era. This training is essential in ensuring
of the Puma 2. I want to publicly thank we are ready to meet VHR commitments.
the Chinook Force and their families for The rest of 2015 will be equally exciting
their selfless dedication and support and I look forward to visiting you and your
throughout the Campaign. Thanks must units on exercise throughout the year.
MEET THE TEAM Maj Gen Richard Felton CBE
Commander JHC
This publication is copyright Lance Publishing
Limited and may not be reproduced or
transmitted in any form in whole or in part without
prior written permission of Lance Publishing
Limited. While every care has been taken during
the preparation of this magazine, Lance Publishing
Limited cannot be held responsible for accuracy
DISCLAIMER

of the information herein or for any consequence

CONTENTS

OPERATIONS Merlin Course Students Graduate .................. 26 3 AAC Regimental Ski Team 2014/15 ........ 42 arising from it. Views Expressed in this publication
are not necessarily those of the Royal Air
TSW Op GRITROCK ............................... 12 Paratroopers Train for Complexities U’s Sign Armed Forces Corporate Covenant .... 44 Force or the Ministry of Defence. All images ©
AAC Brunei Detachment Fights Fires .... 13 of Modern Operations ........................................... 27 Junglies Dig Deep ................................... 44 Crown Copyright unless otherwise stated.

2 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 3
 NEWS
16 Air Assault Brigade
Commemorates
its Service in
Afghanistan
A Brigade whose troops were
among the first and last to serve
on operations in Afghanistan has
joined together to commemorate
its commitment and pay
tribute to its soldiers killed
while serving in the country.
P
aratroopers from 16 Air Assault
Brigade provided security in Kabul
in 2002 after the overthrow of
the Taliban and led the first major
deployment into Helmand Province in
2006, while its Apache attack helicopters
were deployed from 2006 until British
combat operations ended in late 2014.
A parade at Colchester’s Merville
Barracks today (Fri 16 Jan) formally
marked the end of 16 Air Asslt Bde’s
involvement in Afghanistan and honoured
the memory of the 58 soldiers killed
while under the brigade’s command.
Some 1,000 soldiers from all of the units
that deployed with 16 Air Asslt Brigade,
plus civilian support staff, were on parade
4 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
for a short but solemn service that included
the reading of the names of the soldiers
who gave their lives. Music was provided
by The Band of the Parachute Regiment.
The Brigade Senior Chaplain, Reverend
Alan Steele MBE, who deployed to Afghanistan
on three occasions with the Brigade, said:
“In December 2014 the last soldiers from
16 Air Assault Brigade returned home from
operational deployments to Afghanistan,
bringing to an end a commitment to
that theatre of operations which began
in January 2002. It is important that we,
as a Brigade, gather together to mark
this moment and pause to reflect on our
overall involvement in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan was a demanding
commitment and we, as a Brigade, have
learned much over the last 13 years. It is
appropriate, therefore, to take time to
consider all that has been achieved and
the Brigade’s contribution to bringing
stability to Afghanistan. It is appropriate,
too, to acknowledge that this contribution
was achieved at the cost of the 58 soldiers
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
who died while serving with the Brigade
in Helmand, and to remember them
and honour their sacrifice, as we now
prepare to face our next operational
task in a very uncertain world.”
2002, Op FINGAL
A battlegroup based around
2nd Battalion The Parachute
Regiment provided security in
Kabul for three months after
the overthrow of the Taliban.
2006, Op HERRICK 4
A battlegroup based around 3rd
Battalion The Parachute Regiment
was the first British troops to
move into Helmand Province.
2008, Op HERRICK 8
Both the 2nd and 3rd battalions
THE BRIGADE’S DEPLOYMENTS TO AFGHANISTAN WERE…
of The Parachute Regiment
deployed on operations together
for the first time since the Falklands
Conflict. A key achievement was
the delivery of a hydroelectric
turbine to the Kajaki Dam.
2010/11, Op HERRICK 13
The full brigade deployed with key
achievements include improving
security by driving insurgents out
of several communities in Nahr-e
Saraj and Nad-e Ali districts;
supporting the training of Afghan
National Security Forces; and
helping with reconstruction
and development work.
Captain Joe Scrivener, of 3rd Battalion The
Parachute Regiment, deployed on the Brigade’s
three HERRICK tours. “It is very important to
gather like this to formally bring our involvement
in Afghanistan to a close and it was a very
poignant service,” he said. “I knew many of
those killed, some as close friends, and to hear
their names read out was extremely moving.
“The three tours were the best of times
and the worst of times, but we did what was
asked of us and I am extremely proud of
the positive effect we had in Afghanistan.
When I left in 2011, schools and shops were
opening and the Afghan National Army was
growing in capability and confidence.”
The Apaches, based out of Wattisham Flying
Station in Suffolk, were deployed continuously
in Afghanistan from 2006 until the end of
2014. As well as precision strikes in support
of ground troops, their role was to escort
helicopters and land convoys and provide
a near all-weather surveillance capability.
Major Simon Wilsey, of 4 Regiment
Army Air Corps, completed five four
month deployments flying the Apache.
He said: “Afghanistan has been the
proving ground for the Apache and we have
been able to fully integrate it into the British
Army’s way of operating and show that it
can be a battle-winning asset. Operations
evolved massively, from very demanding
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
tours flying in support of British troops
in combat to a more stable and settled
country that Afghan forces were policing.
“This service has been very important
to gather the entire Brigade together
and reflect on what we have achieved
in Afghanistan and pay tribute to those
who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
16 Air Assault Brigade is the British
Army’s largest brigade with some 6,200
soldiers, combining the speed and agility
of airborne and air assault troops with the
potency of Apache attack helicopters.
The brigade’s core role is to provide the
Air Assault Task Force (AATF), the British
Army’s rapid reaction force, which is ready
to deploy anywhere in the world at short
notice to conduct the full spectrum of
military operations, from non-combatant
evacuation operations to warfighting. The
brigade is part of the Joint Helicopter
Command, which brings
together helicopter forces
from the Royal Navy,
Army and RAF.
Learning
Takes Flight
with Army
From how parachutes work to
the air-transportable vehicles
that soldiers use, primary school
children have been given an
insight into the importance
of flight to the British Army’s
rapid reaction force.
T
he Year 2 class from
Colchester’s Roach Vale
Primary School visited the
town’s Merville Barracks on
Wednesday (26th November) as they
learn about flight. The children were
shown the vehicles and equipment
used by 16 Air Assault Brigade, which
specialises in deploying on operations
by parachute, helicopter or aircraft.
The six and seven year olds watched
troops carrying out ground training for
parachuting and climbed aboard the
camp’s Dakota, the aircraft used for
Second World War parachute operations.
Teacher Rebecca Webster said: “The
children have been looking forward to
coming to the barracks and they have
really enjoyed the experience. For
them to see how flight is relevant to
the Army has really brought to life what
we’ve been doing in the classroom.”
The event was organised by Warrant
Officer Class 1 Jim Tallon. He said:  “It was
a pleasure to host the children from Roach
Vale Primary School. To explain flight and
how it is important to us as soldiers to
children made for a very different day for
all involved. We hope that the children
have both enjoyed themselves and
gone away understanding more about
flight and 16 Air Assault Brigade.”
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 5
 EQUIPMENT / CAPABILITY

846 Naval
846 Naval Air Squadron have a long and
proud history. Since their establishment in
April 1943, they have supported operations

Air Squadron
across the world, from Borneo, where
the Commando Helicopter Force earned
the moniker ‘Junglies’, to Afghanistan.
Already a proven platform, the

Comes Home
marinisation programme will see the
Merlin Mk3/a equipped with a folding
main rotor head and a modified

to Somerset
undercarriage for deck landings, the
Merlin will ensure the Commando
Helicopter Force continue to successfully
support the Royal Navy, Royal Marines
and the Joint Helicopter Command.
Six Commando Helicopter Force Merlin Mk3 helicopters proudly our forebears, are encapsulated in the Captain Niall Griffin, Commanding
flew in formation over Somerset on 26 Mar to mark the return of ‘Junglie’ ethos, and endure as the hallmarks Officer of the Commando Helicopter
846 Naval Air Squadron to their home in RNAS Yeovilton. of the Squadron and its people.“ Force said: “The arrival today of six
Having been based at RAF Benson in Merlin helicopters of 846 NAS from Pictured: An RAF Chinook
before, during and after (pictures
Words By: Kerry Randall the Merlin era, but also to have the privilege Oxfordshire for the last three years, where RAF Benson to RNAS Yeovilton marks
from main then anticlockwise)
of leading the return of the Squadron to 846 NAS personnel were trained by RAF another milestone in the transition of the

T
he six ship formation marked
a defining moment for the
Commando Helicopter
Force in it’s transition to
the Merlin Mk3/a helicopters, seeing
846 NAS not only return to Somerset
but also to a brand new building.
Lt Col Derek Stafford MBE RM,
Commanding Officer of 846 Naval Air
Squadron said, “I am deeply honoured
and truly humbled to be not only the first
Commanding Officer of the Squadron in
its spiritual home at RNAS Yeovilton.
Having already proven ourselves in the
desert of Jordan in autumn 2014 and the Arctic
in 2015, the immediate future will see the
Squadron maintaining a Very High Readiness
posture for contingent operations around the
globe, and being at the forefront of a Force
wide reinvigoration of expertise in the maritime
environment. These challenges will be met
with the same qualities of determination,
professionalism and cheerfulness in the
face of adversity that were displayed by
instructors, 846 NAS are pleased to be
reunited with the Commando Helicopter
Force at RNAS Yeovilton once more.
PO Sam Parkin, Aircrewman 846 Naval
Air Squadron said, “After three years of
being based in Oxfordshire it is finally
time to relocate to our ‘spiritual’ home
in Yeovilton. I think I speak on behalf
of a lot of personnel when I say we are
all looking forward to operating out of
RNAS Yeovilton and being co-located
with the rest of our CHF squadrons.“
Commando Helicopter Force from the
Sea King to the Merlin. Over the next year
we will see a gradual build up of Merlins
here in Somerset, as we relocate them
from Oxfordshire. By Easter next year
both front line Merlin squadrons, 845 NAS
and 846 NAS, will be co-located here at
RNAS Yeovilton, once more being reunited
with 847 NAS, now flying the Wildcat,
the Combat Service Support Squadron
and the Force Headquarters. This will
mark the beginning of a new era in the

Commando Helicopter Force’s history as
we take forward these new capabilities.
Whilst there are clearly exciting times
ahead, it is important to look back on the
aircraft which the Merlin replaces. When
Vector Aerospace
aircraft were required and these were
incorporated alongside newly manufactured
and Boeing Bring aircraft skins. Every component was
inspected and either repaired or replaced.
RAF Chinook Whilst this package of work was being

the Sea King Mk4 retires next March, it will
have been in service for some 37 years,
serving in more Operational Theatres
than any other Fleet Air Arm aircraft.”
“The Force is currently very busy having
just recovered from training in Norway,
and preparing for a major international
exercise, Joint Warrior, all around the UK
Back to Life
In April 2012, during a training
sortie, an RAF Chinook was
very significantly damaged
in a heavy landing.
undertaken it was decided that the aircraft’s
avionics systems would also be upgraded
to bring it up to the Julius standard.
The extraordinary feat of engineering was
completed on 12th February 2015, when the
aircraft successfully passed flight test and
was reinducted to service, a testament to
the successful and productive relationship

this Easter. Looking further ahead to the
Autumn, CHF will be participating in the
Royal Navy’s Flagship deployment to the
Mediterranean, COUGAR 15, as well as
training with 3 Commando Brigade Royal
Marines in the Mojave Desert, California.
Both represent excellent training and
will continue to keep us at Very High
Readiness as a Force. “ he added.
The Commando Helicopter Force’s
transition from the Sea King Mk4 to the
Merlin will continue at RAF Benson when
845 Naval Air Squadron stand up in place
of 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAF
in May 2015. When fully operational,
845 NAS will return home to Yeovilton
to reunite all the CHF Squadrons.
T
he damage sustained was such that
the aircraft could well have been
classified as Beyond Economical
Repair (BER). However, it was
decided that recovering the aircraft to
service was a viable option by drawing on
the extensive experience and expertise
in Chinook heavy maintenance, repair
and overhaul (MRO) vested in Boeing and
Vector Aerospace. Vector Aerospace has
been supporting the MoD’s Chinook fleet
under sub-contract to Boeing since 2008.
A plan was duly developed and work
began at the Vector Aerospace facility in
Gosport to bring the aircraft back to life.
The extent of the damage was so great
that a number of donor parts from other
which has been developed between the UK
Chinook Force, Boeing and Vector Aerospace.
This achievement benefits not only the
RAF, which now has a fully operational aircraft
once again ready for duty, but also the UK
taxpayer, since the task was accomplished at a
fraction of the cost of buying a new helicopter.
In thanking the combined Vector
Aerospace and Boeing teams on the
aircraft’s reintroduction to service, Wing
Commander Mark Staveley from RAF
Odiham, home of the Chinook, said, “The
importance of these aircraft to the troops
on the ground is immeasurable: when
they hear that unmistakable Chinook
sound the people on the ground know
they are being protected.”

6 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 7
 EQUIPMENT / CAPABILITY

The Chinook
PM Announces
fleet is the heavy-
lift workhorse
Through Life
helicopter
which provides
Contract Support
a remarkable
capability for all our
for UK Chinook Force
Armed Forces. The Prime Minister has announced security of 450 jobs at
Phillip Dunne MP
 Fleetlands, Gosport, and RAF Odiham through a £420m
contract with Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support (part of Boeing
Defence UK) for the Chinook helicopter. The PM visited HM
Naval Base, Portsmouth, where he made the announcement.

leading helicopter due to its ability to
support operations in a wide range of
conditions; its value has been proven time
and again in operations in Afghanistan
and in other theatres. Its versatility will
prove vital in future home and overseas
commitments as the Chinook Force
prepares for contingency operations.
Phillip Dunne MP, Minister for
Defence Equipment, Support and
Technology said: ”The Chinook fleet
is the heavy-lift workhorse helicopter
which provides a remarkable capability
for all our Armed Forces. I was pleased
to have the opportunity to thank RAF
T
he Through Life Contract Support
(TLCS) contract will provide
depth maintenance, engineering
technical support, supply chain
management, repairs, publications
management and modification services
for the UK’s fleet of Chinook helicopters.
This is implemented in five-year pricing
periods and incorporates support for
the new Mk6 helicopter, at a lower cost,
representing value for money and savings
of over £150m for the UK taxpayer.
The order of 14 new Chinook Mk6
helicopters back in 2011, under the initial
TLCS contract, will increase the fleet
This achievement is testament
to the extremely effective working
relationships between Joint Helicopter
Command, the Chinook Project Team
in DE&S, the operational users at RAF
Odiham, the Prime Contractor, Boeing,
and other key industry partners such
as Vector Aerospace and Thales.
The Chinook is the UK’s only military
heavy lift helicopter and, given the ability
to transport 55 troops or 10 tonnes of
supplies, this makes a unique contribution
to operations at home and abroad. The
new Chinooks will help to deliver Future
Force 2020, which will meet the strategic

Minister Visits RAF Odiham

commanders and crews for the enduring
work they have undertaken in various
theatres. I was also encouraged to
see the improvements to flight safety,
Philip Dunne MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology and the mission capability and versatility that
Conservative MP for Ludlow, Shropshire, visited RAF Odiham on Thursday 15th January 2015. the platform upgrades have introduced,
on time and on budget, for service
with the RAF for decades to come.”
Group Captain Richard Maddison,
to 60 aircraft by early 2017. The first of
these new Chinooks entered service on
schedule in April 2014 and the Initial
Operating Capability (three helicopters of
operational configuration) was achieved
on 31st January 2015. The UK fleet is
currently the third largest Chinook fleet
in the world after the US and Japan.
demands laid out in the SDSR. Roles
include; trooping and inserting ground
forces, casualty evacuation and resupply
both internally and by under slung loads.
The new contract will ensure that the
Chinook helicopter remains at the forefront
of the UK helicopter force during the
return to contingency operations.

T
he Minister visited RAF Odiham
to meet military and civil service
personnel working at the station,
and to gain an understanding
of capability enhancements of the
new Mk6 Chinook aircraft and the key
contribution the Chinook Force makes to
Operations both at home and overseas.
The Chinook Mk6 aircraft are part of
a £1bn investment to update, replace
and support the RAF’s existing heavy-
lift helicopter capability over the next
decade. A total of 14 aircraft have been
ordered by the MoD, bringing the overall
number of UK Chinooks to 60. The Mk6
programme remains on time and budget,
with six of the 14 Chinook Mk6 already
delivered to the MoD, with the remaining
eight to be delivered before the end of
2015, and fully operational by early 2017.
Last year, the Defence Secretary
announced a £115m contract with
Boeing to maintain all UK Chinook
engines. By consolidating five previous
engine support contracts into one,
it has made savings of nearly £20M,
representing excellent value for money.
The Chinook Mk6 is the UK’s only
military heavy-lift cargo helicopter, being
fitted with a new digital automatic flight
control system as well as the same Thales
digital ‘glass’ cockpit that is currently
being installed on legacy aircraft under
the Julius Programme. The aircraft also
features a machined monolithic airframe,
UK-specific avionics, forward-looking
infrared system, advanced defensive
systems, enhanced situational awareness
and interoperable communication
and navigation equipment.
The new Chinooks are an important
contribution to meeting strategic
demands beyond 2015, including our
future standing commitments and our
Future Force 2020, as set out in the
Strategic Defence and Security Review.
The aircraft is recognised as a world
Station Commander RAF Odiham said:
“It has been an upmost pleasure to host
the visit today and to demonstrate the
versatility and capability RAF Odiham’s
personnel and equipment can offer.
The Chinook helicopter has been at the
fore front of military operations since
1982, delivering support in numerous
ways not just in conflict, but also during
times of humanitarian crisis and where
national resilience is required. None of
this would be possible however without
the adaptable and capable Military
and Civilian personnel stationed here
at Odiham, who are the key enabler
for all of our aircraft operations. The
growing and modernising of the Chinook
force will ensure that RAF Odiham
continues to be the mainstay of UK
Support Helicopter capability.”

8 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 savings of nearly £20M THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 9
 EQUIPMENT / CAPABILITY

Success
Wildcat
NAS achieved his 1,000 total flying hours
milestone during the last flight of the CTT.
All 847 NAS and 652 (WF) Sqn pilots
successfully completed their Final Handling
Test and Instrument Rating Test at the end
of January 2015. The FHT consisted of pairs
tactical formation flying utilising Night
Vision Goggles conducting Nap of the Earth
(extreme low level, contour following and
terrain masking throughout the flight profile)
flying and crossing under power lines.
Colonel Mike Smith AAC, Commander
Eighteen pilots and crewmen from 847 Naval Air Squadron and 652 (Wildcat Fielding) Squadron of the Aviation Reconnaissance Force
Army Air Corps, based at RNAS Yeovilton have been awarded their Conversion To Type (CTT) presented the awards and remarked on Pictured: A Wildcat AH Mk1 and a Royal
training completion certificates and Wildcat AH badges, marking a historic occasion for both the the tremendous effort both 847 NAS Navy Engineer working Wildcat AH Mk1
Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) and the Army Air Corps’ Aviation Reconnaissance Force (ARF). and 652 (WF) Squadron AAC had made
getting to this point. A total of eighteen

T Wildcat Engineering Transition

he CTT training began on the
14th July 2014 with the start of
the ground school phase. The
ground school syllabus and
courseware was developed by 652(WF) Sqn
AAC in the preceding year and delivered
by the Wildcat Integrated Support &
Training contract. Once ground school
was complete, the course progressed on
to the Wildcat Full Motion Simulator (FMS)
to carry out the rudimentary aspects of
emergency handling and systems learning.
During the flying phase of CTT, 847 NAS
carried out Forward Air Controller currency
with HMS Dauntless was also carried out in
addition to Air Observation Post training,
calling in artillery fire from the aircraft.
WO1 Tony Cooke, 652 (WF) Sqn AAC Trials
officer and Qualified Helicopter Instructor,
said, “Having been involved with the Wildcat
programme for over seven years, to reach
the point where we have delivered the
first full conversion course is the pinnacle
of my flying and instructional career.
The students generally found the
pure flying aspects of the Wildcat course
straight forward. The steep learning curve
to the conversion was understanding and
students graduated including eleven
pilots and seven aviation crewmen.
847 NAS are now the first operational
squadron to receive the AW159 Wildcat
AH1. The next stage for 847 NAS is to
conduct Conversion To Role training which
will teach them to exploit the tremendous
capabilities of the Wildcat AH Mk1.
Looking ahead, both the pilots
and crewmen of 847 NAS will now
focus on generating an embarked
capability to provide UK Defence with
the first deployable Wildcat Squadron
able to effectively support the Royal
With the introduction of new aircraft
and aircraft carriers to the Fleet Air
Arm, the normal split of operational
‘grey’ and ‘green’ squadrons has
changed dramatically. Being able
to operate the Wildcat AH1 (green)
on both the land and at sea has
seen military and civilian personnel
working together to establish an
effective aircraft for frontline service.
in the practises implemented being
the most stringent of all forces.
The collaboration that began more than
two years ago between the Royal Navy and
the Army will soon come to an end with
each side taking their share of the aircraft in
early 2015. 652 (WF) Sqn AAC will convert
the Army squadrons to the Wildcat whilst
847 NAS will field the aircraft as the first
operational Wildcat squadron. As WCM
has achieved more, each side will operate

training with 100 Sqn RAF flying Hawks with
live ordnance (3kg) and 9 Sqn RAF flying
Typhoons. Naval Gunfire Support, conducted
learning the complex avionics and mission
systems. Most aspects of operating the
wildcat involves digital manipulation of
various systems such as selecting radios,
setting up the digital maps correctly and
optimising the displays. As with most
computer systems, there are several ways
of doing one function. What we are trying
to teach the student is to operate the
systems in the most efficient manner. By
doing this, they release valuable capacity
to enable them to holistically operate the
aircraft as a highly capable platform.”
The aircrew of both 847 NAS and 652
(WF) Sqn have previous experience on
many different types of aircraft including
Sea King Mk4,5 and 6, Lynx Mk3, 7, 8 and
9A, Apache, Chinook and even the USMC
AH-1W Cobra flown by Maj Morgan Smyth
USMC, who is on exchange with CHF.
Marines anywhere in the world.
Whilst 652 (WF) Sqn will be preparing
for the next CTT course.
The ARF was formally established
on 1st June 2012 in order to bring
together the new Wildcat Battlefield
Reconnaissance Helicopter
capability and the Manned Airborne
Surveillance assets to form a holistic
aviation ISTAR force. The ARFs
mission is to field, develop, force
prepare, force generate and sustain
manned aviation reconnaissance
and command capability in order
to meet directed Operational and
training support commitments.
The ARF is comprised of three
Regiments; 1 Regiment AAC is
based in the RNAS Yeovilton, with
9 Regiment currently based in
Dishforth until June 2016, when
they will relocate to RNAS Yeovilton
and merge with 1 Regiment, and
AVIATION RECONNAISSANCE FORCE
S
ince the spring of 2012, HMS Heron
has been the home of Wildcat
transition. Royal Navy engineers
from 847 Naval Air Squadron
and a small selection of Army personnel
were the first to begin work with the
new asset. This initial fielding team had
the task of setting up the infrastructure
needed to support the new venture.
By Christmas 2012, the Wildcat
Fielding Team Army (WFTA) had worked
their way up to six aircraft. With limited
experience on Wildcat AH1 (the battlefield
variant), Aircrew and Engineers drew
upon their previous experiences from
legacy aircraft types to deal with the
various procedures, inaccuracies and
unforeseen system malfunctions that go
hand in hand with any new technology.
From this early start, the WFTA has
their own maintenance with a pool of
serviceable aircraft. Although the working
routines and operational environments
will be different, all three organisations
will still function out of the same hangars
whilst continuing to work from similar
Aircraft Engineering Standing Orders.
Although the Wildcat Mk1 is similar
in appearance to the various Lynx marks,
the internal workings are vastly different.
The structure is now a monolithic airframe
milled from one piece of metal, allowing
the aircraft to benefit from an increase
in strength and reduction in airframe
weight. The new avionics equipment has
been introduced to reduce pilot workload;
this is achieved by allowing mission
planning to take place on the ground via
the tactical processor (the brains behind
the system). The tactical processor

The operational experience of the aircrew is evolved to form 652 (Wildcat Fielding) works in conjunction with the Integrated
5 Regiment in Aldergrove. It is
vast, encompassing operational deployments comprised of some 1054 aircrew and Squadron Army Air Corps. Along with their Display Units and Security Enhanced
in Northern Ireland, Belize, the former support personnel and is equipped civilian counterparts, Wildcat Contracting Data Transfer Unit to allow the aircrew
Yugoslavia, Libya, Sierra Leone, Iraq and with Wildcat, Lynx and Gazelle Maintenance (WCM), 847 NAS and 652 to layer the vital information over maps,
helicopters as well as Islander and
Afghanistan. The flying experience levels of (WF) Sqn AAC are working to achieve enabling better situational awareness.
Defender fixed wing aircraft.
the pilots are just as varied with a 652 (WF) Sqn For further information please Aircrew and Engineering competency As with previous aircraft types,
average of 3,000 hours, (the highest having contact Kerry Randall, Public on this new platform. Naturally, with expertise can only be gained over time,
over 6,000 hours and the most junior with over Relations Officer for Commando three organisations operating within a but thanks to the hard work of the fielding
Helicopter Force and Aviation
1,800 hours). To date, some of the instructors relatively new environment, old habits teams, 847 NAS will be in a good starting
reconnaissance Force, kerry.
have already achieved nearly 600 hours on randall465@mod.uk, die hard. To counteract this temptation, position when the squadron stands up
Pictured: Army Wildcat Wildcat with the first to 1,000 hours on type on 01935 452359. a philosophy of ‘best practice’ has on April 2015 and takes on the Very
at RNAS Yeovilton not far away. Lt James Nottingham of 845 been adopted throughout; resulting High Readiness responsibility.

10 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 11
 OPERATIONS

Tac tic al Su p pl y W ing SAC (T) Caldwell said: ‘Spending the

Op GRITROCK
On 22nd November 2014, football stadium which is ideal as not only does
six personnel from Tactical it have a perimeter wall, which is perfect for
Supply Wing (TSW) deployed FOB security, but also a large football pitch
on Op GRITROCK. perfect for a Helicopter Landing Site (HLS). The
refuel site now also has a 15,000 litre aviation
Words By: Sgt Gasser fuel capacity and is manned 24 hours a day.
Sgt Gasser, TSW Detachment Commander
tasks are made very difficult. Due to basic
conditions in the FOB it’s important to keep
on top of your personal admin, hydration
is the most important thing out here.’
Each team rotates through spending one
week at FOB Moyamba and a second week
based on board RFA Argus. During the week
Christmas period away from family and
friends is really tough, however, having spent
Christmas in Afghanistan last year I was no
stranger to the feeling. Despite this, 820
Squadron made it one to remember. On
Christmas Eve the ship held a selection of
games on the flight deck with a delicious
curry and an issue of two beers per person.
As the sun went down over the ship
everybody was singing Christmas songs
with the Royal Marines band service.’
Overall TSW have provided a valuable
service to Op GRITROCK, enabling

T
he TSW detachment flew said: ‘Having deployed to Afghan, Iraq, on board the ship the TSW personnel carry UK Military and Civilian Aid workers to
from RAF Brize Norton on a Falklands and Kenya, the jungle of Sierra Leone out all our admin, stores demands and take carry out their duties in reducing the AAC Brunei Detachment

FightsFires
C130 Hercules, stopping over has to be the most arduous environment a well deserved rest from land operations. spread of Ebola within Sierra Leone.
night in Gran Canarias, before I have worked in to date. Not only are the The ship has excellent facilities such as It has been an excellent opportunity for
landing at Lungi Airport in Sierra Leone. temperatures in the high 30s but the humidity washing machines, tumble dryers and even TSW to work in a joint environment, with
From here the TSW personnel were is between 80-90%, even the simplest the capability to make its own fresh water. the Royal Navy on board RFA Argus and
then flown in an 820 Naval Air Squadron However the living conditions are cramped, with units such as 3 Rifles and 1 Armoured
(NAS) Merlin to RFA Argus. A Primary bunks are stacked three high and are no wider Medical Regiment on the ground. It has
Casualty Receiving Ship for all UK Military then an issued roll matt. The crew work hard also given the detachment immense
and civilian aid workers, incorporating to make the best of the situation with ships PT, satisfaction to see that we are having 7 Flt AAC and 1RGR assisted local authorities with fighting forest
a 100 bed medical facility as well as a quizzes and other events, this was particularly a positive effect on the country and fires in Brunei during March. Their contribution helped to contain
critical care unit and surgical theatres. appreciated over the Christmas period. helping people desperately in need. the fires and limit the threat to people and property.
The TSW detachments first tasking was to
help facilitate the World Food Programme’s
(WFP) campaign to deliver aid. This required
the deployment to split into two Helicopter
Handling Teams on the Sherbro Islands,
un-hooking the Under Slung Loads (USL)
of valuable food cargo from the 820 NAS
Merlin. In total the teams helped deliver
over 300 tonnes of much needed food to a
remote and isolated region of Sierra Leone.
Cpl Overend said: ‘It was an extremely
enjoyable task providing the isolated islands
with food aid, it made Op GRITROCK
worthwhile from a non-medical point
of view. Seeing the looks on the locals
faces when the aid arrived was priceless
and made the job worthwhile.’
The detachment’s primary role was to
set up a Rotors Turning Refuel site located
at FOB Moyamba in the south west of the
country. This was to enable the rotor assets
longer range within the country to carry out
stores and PAX moves, as well as to assist
in the 820 NAS 30 minute CASEVAC cover
throughout the country. The FOB is a disused

12 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 13
 OPERATIONS
The RAF Chinook Force is
Coming Home from Afghanistan
After thirteen years supporting operations in Afghanistan, the remaining
Royal Air Force Chinooks have left Kabul to begin the journey home.
Since the end of combat operations in Afghanistan in October 2014,
three RAF Chinooks were retained in the country to assist British
troops in non-combat roles but they are now on their way home.
Words By: Flt Lt Meg Henderson
I
n the early hours of Wednesday
25th March, the first of the heavy
lift support helicopter from RAF
Odiham in Hampshire was loaded
on to the C17, marking the end of
the UK Chinook Force’s contribution
to operations in Afghanistan.
Synonymous with operations in
Afghanistan over the last thirteen
years, the Chinook Force has flown
over 41,000 hours, extracted 13,000
casualties and its crews have been
awarded numerous gallantry awards,
including twenty three distinguished
flying crosses for bravery in the air.
Group Captain Richard Maddison,
RAF Odiham’s Station Commander,
said, “The sight of a Chinook in
Afghanistan will be iconic to many that
have served there, or have witnessed
the events from afar. The commitment
of the personnel from the Chinook
Force – whether in Afghanistan or
supporting from the UK and other
overseas locations – has been first rate.”
“We return with enormous pride at our
contribution over this very testing period
and wish those of the Puma Force the very
best success as they continue to provide
helicopter support in the country.”
Squadron Leader Paul Butler,
Officer Commanding Operation
TORAL Aviation Detachment said, “It
is an honour and privilege to be the
last Commanding Officer of the last
Chinook detachment in Afghanistan.”
14 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
“I have been humbled by the dedication
and steadfast work-ethic of the men and
women working on the Chinook Force.”
“I am extremely proud of the contribution
made by the Chinook Force during combat
operations in this country, whether
that be providing essential air mobility,
moving coalition troops and equipment
around theatre or undertaking lifesaving
medical evacuation for injured troops.”
“Our role in Afghanistan has changed
significantly since the end of Operation
This is a significant capability
which will provide reactive 24/7
tactical mobility in order to allow
a swift and decisive response
to any emerging incidents. The
helicopters will also bring a heavy
lift capability and will enhance the
training opportunities available
to the resident infantry company.
Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
HERRICK, our mission on Operation TORAL,
whilst different, is no less important.
Providing aviation support to coalition
troops working to ensure the institutional
development of the Afghan government is
a fitting end to our time in Afghanistan.”
The return of the Chinooks from
Afghanistan also coincides with Defence
Secretary Michael Fallon’s announcement
to send two Chinooks to the Falkland
Islands as part of measures designed to
ensure defence resilience. He said: “These
measures will include the return of military
support helicopters which were removed in
2006 to support operations in Afghanistan.
On current plans this will involve the
deployment of two Chinooks, which will be
operational by the middle of next year.
“This is a significant capability which will
provide reactive 24/7 tactical mobility in
order to allow a swift and decisive response
to any emerging incidents. The helicopters
will also bring a heavy lift capability and
will enhance the training opportunities
available to the resident infantry company.”
The Chinook aviation detachment in
Kabul will handover to the RAF Puma 2 Force
from RAF Benson, on the 1st April 2015,
the Puma 2 crews will remain in Afghanistan
until the mission is complete.
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
Op TORAL
First Operational Deployment
for RAF Puma Mk2
Just over three weeks after declaring Initial Operating
Capability, the first Royal Air Force Puma Mk2 helicopters have
arrived in Afghanistan ready to begin the first operational
deployment for the newly upgraded Puma fleet.
Images By: Cpl Lee Goddard
T
he aircraft, known as Puma 2,
flown by 33 and 230 Squadrons
at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire
will take over from the Chinook
Force in Kabul, providing UK aviation
support to British and coalition troops
who remain in Afghanistan in non-
combat roles assisting the Afghan
Government and Afghan National Defence
and Security Forces (ANDSF).
As part a £260 million pound life
extension programme, the Puma 2
upgrade includes new engines, state
of the art digitised glass cockpits,
upgraded LCD instruments and feel we have a very big responsibility as
improved ballistic protection.  the detachment for the first operational
“The upgrades to the aircraft mean deployment of Puma 2 but everyone on
it will fly further for longer, with greater the Squadron is extremely excited to
loads in more extreme environments, be here and we’re looking forward to
such as the high altitudes and hot continue the fantastic work previously
summers we will experience in Kabul,” carried out by the Chinook deployment.”
said Wing Commander Mark Biggadike, “I’m looking forward to seeing the
Officer Commanding 33 Squadron.  detachment evolve and those who haven’t
“Our role will be to move troops and deployed on operations before develop their
equipment around Kabul by air which is skills in an operational environment.”
more efficient than moving personnel who
would otherwise be travelling by road.”
The Puma Mk 2 announced Initial
“Puma 2 is ideal for operating in urban
Operating Capability (IOC) in February
environments such as Kabul, it’s small 2015, with IOC defined as 6 aircraft
enough to land in fairly built up areas and crews ready for worldwide
FURTHER INFO…
without creating too much downwash operations. All but one of the 24 aircraft
have been delivered following the
and disruption and it is relatively fast so major modifications to the cockpit,
we can move around the city quickly.” avionics and engines, and are now
Squadron Leader James Mastin, being used for operational duties.
Puma detachment commander said, “I
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 15
 TRAINING
e x e r c
CLOCKWORK
69 degrees north, 200km inside the Arctic Circle, with temperatures regularly dropping
to -30°C, conducting flying training for the crews of the Royal Navy Merlin Mk3, the Army
Air Corps Lynx Mk7 and the RAF Puma Mk2 as well as providing Cold Weather Survival
Courses for Joint Helicopter Command personnel… Welcome to Ex CLOCKWORK.
Words By: Kerry Randall
D
uring a logs resupply to a
remote Norwegian cabin high
in the mountains, a woman
came to the door and peered
through the blizzard kicked up by the
arrival of a Merlin. “Clockwork! ” she
shouted, and giving the thumbs-up
to the crew. She turned back into the
cabin and came back with fresh coffee.
16 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
i s e
Major Jon Parry RM, OC Clockwork Clockwork is the annual training package
explained, “Clockwork has been going for held in Northern Norway by the Joint
more than 40 years, and is a well known Helicopter Command. This year saw the
and established brand. Certainly in the first deployment to Clockwork of the
local area everyone knows Clockwork.  now Commando Helicopter Force owned
They know the Brits come here and they and Royal Navy branded Merlin Mk3
know we train here and they know why we helicopters and the last ever deployment
train here, and because of that we enjoy of the Army Air Corps Lynx Mk7.
a very good relationship with them.” The training encompasses a wide
Based at a dedicated site within the spectrum of disciplines ensuring that the
Royal Norwegian Air Force Base, Bardufoss, Joint Helicopter Command can operate,
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
fight and win in a demanding cold weather
environment; The aircrew train to conduct
helicopter landings in deep snow producing
a ‘whiteout’ effect, which is similar to
the ‘brownouts’ of desert landings.
This makes Norway training invaluable
for learning the skills necessary for flying
on operations in many climates.  Deploying
to Norway, the aircrew experience the
incredibly cold temperatures associated
with operating 200km inside the Arctic
Circle. A helicopter preparing for a field
landing at about 70mph with an outside air
temperature of -25°C means the crewman
will experience a wind chill of about -70°C.
The training then moves into the
mountains to operate the aircraft at a much
higher altitude and in stronger winds.
Here, the crews are presented with some
significant performance limitations to work
with to enable them to land on a ridge or
in a valley. Operating in the mountains
can be an uncomfortable and intimidating
feeling. It takes time to adjust to the scale
of the mountains, becoming accustomed
to closure rates and, for the crewman;
vertigo can sometimes be experienced The deployment to Clockwork is part
on approach to the mountaintops. of a very busy six months for the Merlin
Crews also complete low level navigation, of 846 NAS as Lt Col Derek Stafford MBE
load lifting by day and night, formation RM, CO 846 NAS, explained, “The amount
sorties and field landing sites. With of change the squadron has gone through
temperatures below -30°C, handling the over the last year in terms of standing up
aircraft can be difficult even on the ground. in September 2014, doing desert training
Pilots have to work hard to complete in Jordan, Christmas leave, coming out to
the simple task of taxiing a 30-tonne the Arctic and then having two weeks to
helicopter without skidding on the sheer pick up the Squadron and move it down to
black ice that forms on the flight line. Yeovilton. It’s been a huge challenge but
These skills are vital as they it’s been busy, and ultimately with a new
enable the Commando Helicopter Force, on the environment and survival aircraft type it’s great to shake out as a
the Army Air Corps and the Royal Air techniques followed by outdoor training, squadron in the desert and Arctic before
Force to deliver capability for future initiated with a snowshoe ‘yomp’ up Radar we move to Yeovilton with the creditability
deployments, operations and exercises. Hill where students spend nights in a ten of two detachments behind us.”
For engineers new to operating man tent, a four man tent and a ‘Quincy This years Clockwork was the
in this environment, it can be slightly shelter’, which is essentially an igloo. final deployment of the Lynx Mk7
overwhelming at first as everything takes The course ends with the eagerly anticipated after serving both the AAC and
longer, just dressing to travel to the flight ice breaking drills. Students must plunge into CHF faithfully for 30 years.
line is an evolution in itself, combine this a hole cut from a frozen lake, remove and For Maj Hannah Hayward, OC 659 Sqn
with removal of aircraft protective covers, then push their bergen out. Once permission AAC, the departure of the Lynx Mk7 will
pre-warming the aircraft, positioning power has been sought from the Mountain Leader, be an especially sad occasion, “I have
rigs and stowing of equipment, a simple they must pull themselves out using their ski always flown the Lynx so I have a personal
line flyer (routine tasking aircraft) may poles. The water is near freezing and the air attachment to it; it is a fantastic aircraft
take as long as 45 minutes to prepare. temperature as low as -30° C which makes for an to fly in terms of its manoeuvrability.
The basics, like wearing gloves when emotional but important learning experience. The Lynx Mk7 has proven itself over and
working on aircraft, so your hands By the end of the Cold Weather over in the past and is a really reliable,
do not stick to the freezing metal is a Survival Courses, 297 JHC personnel were good, fun aircraft to fly. It’s going to
huge challenge. Carrying out aircraft trained to operate in the Arctic, with 56 be incredibly sad to see it go.”
maintenance is made all the more new drivers qualified as Arctic Drivers. “The history of the Lynx and everything
demanding in these severe temperatures, This year saw the RAF Puma flying 272 it’s achieved in the 40 years it has been in
especially when wind chill is factored in. hours over 134 sorties with seven crews, the service is remarkable, it’s been fantastic to
All personnel deploying to Norway must RN Merlin flying 386 hours over 234 sorties fly this aircraft. It has been a great honour to
first pass the Cold Weather Survival Course with eight crews and the Army Lynx flying be both the OC of 659 Sqn and take part in
which consists of classroom based lectures 200 hours over 200 sorties with five crews. the last ever deployment.” She added.
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 17
 TRAINING

In January 663 Sqn, 3 Regt AAC
planned and conducted Exercise
VOIJEK’S STRIKE, an Attack
Helicopter (AH) Sqn level Air Land
Integration exercise alongside
Voijeks the RAF and US Force Elements
from RAF LAKENHEATH and
MILDENHALL. The Exercise
UK/US J2 team worked on developing an
intelligence picture to support a hybrid
threat environment focusing on adversary
Armour and Asymmteric tactics. This allowed
us, in particular, to test our familiarity
with rapidly switching between Hi and
Low Level Tactics whilst becoming more
comfortable within a different operating
destroy key Air Defence Assets; C130s to
drop follow on forces and HH60 Pedro’s
to conduct CASEVAC on Call. Throughout
the week JTACs from 1RHA worked
with their counterparts from the USAF
(including a team that flew in from Illinois
specifically to conduct the integrated
training) to conduct high and low level

Strike was based out of Wattisham

but incorporated training serials
around Norfolk and Suffolk, with
STANTA and Sculthorpe being
the main focus of activity.

Words By: Maj Rob Smit

environment. Having successfully completed
operations in Afghanistan, our focus is
turning to re-discover how to train for a
contested environment with credible EW
threats, thus, demanding that we once
again look closely at these tactics.
Once the foundations for the exercise
’controls’ and take the opportunity to
identify some key lessons for operating
collaboratively with Low Level TTPs;
those that have been less widely utilised
during operations in Afghanistan.
For our part it was a fantastic
opportunity to train with other units,
were built, word spread and we found discuss the benefits and risks of various

T
he training was arranged in line more and more agencies wanting to take tactics we might employ, to further
Exercise

with the Sqn’s focus on returning
to Land Contingency. Capitalising
on relationships developed
between units and our US counterparts
over years of operating alongside them in
Afghanistan. The Sqn Ops team developed
a detailed and mutually beneficial training
schedule that incorporated an impressive
array of UK and US assets. A combined
part. Useful scenarios were worked up for
each of the participants throughout the
week, before joining together for a highly
coordinated strike mission on the final day.
Units included the USAF 321st Squadron
who would complete a High Altitude High
Opening (HAHO) parachute insert onto the
Target Area; USAF F15s and RAF Typhoons
which would conduct strikes prior to H Hr to
understand TTPs within an contemporary
operating environment and to continue
to foster and develop relationships
with our US Airborne counterparts.
We found that the adage ‘time spent
on recce is seldom wasted’ remains as
pertinent today as ever. The conceptual
discussions during the exercise
development phase, to understand each
others TTPs, deconfliction measures, on
target techniques and communication
procedures ensured excellent
momentum throughout the scenarios.
Overall, the Sqn was afforded an
opportunity to become fully immersed in Airtroopers wider military skills of recovering bogged-
in vehicles and a march and shoot.

a dynamic, demanding scenario. The cross
unit relationships facilitated an impressive
array of assets which significantly
increased the training benefit gained
from a Sqn Level exercise. Subsequently,
the Sqn has conducted similar activities
with 45 Commando and is developing
future serials to build on the relationships
with 2 and 3 PARA. The corporate
knowledge gained and the understanding
of TTPs which may be employed in a
‘contingency environment’ can only
Battle to
Wednesday’s (26th) competition was
won by Regt AAC HQ & Workshop,
with the trophy presented with by
be the Best Colonel Jason Etherington, Commander
of Wattisham Flying Station.
Staff Sergeant Gregg Allen, 36 from
Soldiers who fly and maintain the Great Yarmouth, said: “We’ve put a lot of
Apache attack helicopter have effort in to preparing for the competition
competed against each other to and we’ve been rewarded by winning. With
be the best as they relearn the the cycle of operations in Afghanistan we
skills needed for future operations. haven’t used some of the abilities we’ve been
tested on today for some years. Doing this

T
serve to improve our ability to contribute he inaugural Rhino Trophy
as part of a Highly Agile Force. contest saw 3 and 4 Regiment
Army Air Corps’ squadrons put
through their paces at Wattisham
Flying Station in Suffolk. The five elements
of the competition tested the full range
of skills required to operate the Apache
– mission planning and communications,
refuelling and rearming, and a simulated
flight mission – as well as the soldier’s
competition has been a good way to start
relearning these skills, as well as bringing the
units together and building team spirit.”
Airtrooper Mark Logan, 19 from
Selly Oak, took part in the march
and shoot and ground crew test. “It
means a lot to win,” he said. “As HQ
Squadron the frontline squadrons look
down on us a bit, but we’ve proved
that our skills are just as good.”

The Apache attack helicopter entered service with the British Army in 2001 and is flown on
operations by 3 and 4 Regiments Army Air Corps. The two units provided a continuous presence

FURTHER INFO…
in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2014 on rotation and, in 2011, Apaches from 656 Sqn, 4 Regt
AAC flew strike missions over Libya from HMS Ocean as part of NATO’s Operation UNIFIED
PROTECTOR. Second line maintenance on operations is provided by 7 Air Assault Battalion
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. All three units are based at Wattisham Flying Station
in Suffolk and form part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, which is the Army’s rapid reaction force,
combining the Apache’s potency with the speed and agility of airborne and air assault forces.

18 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 19
 TRAINING

A Merlin Storm The benefits of a field exercise such as

MERLIN STORM were not solely realised

on Salisbury Plain
by the student aircrew, but was also a
mutual training benefit for the troops of
45 Cdo RM, giving them the experience
of operating with air assets in the field.

Three Commando Helicopter Force Merlin Mk3 helicopters and crews from the
Operational Conversion Flight (OCF), currently part of 28 (AC) Sqn based in RAF Benson,
completed their final field exercise on Salisbury Plain supporting 45 Cdo Royal Marines.

E
xercise MERLIN STORM is the Sea King so for the conversion students
culmination of over six months the training is about learning how to
training for the aircrew, where operate a more complex aircraft.
the students are taught to fight At the end of the training in January
the aircraft. Learning to operate in a 2015 the students will be moved to their
more austere environment, working front line unit, 846 Naval Air Squadron.
with troops in a realistic tactical This marked the end of the operational
scenario was all part of this exercise. phase of training which will be followed by
The eight pilots and eight crewmen a period of consolidation training lasting
had to plan how they were going to approximately six months on the front line.
complete their tasking, utilising the 846 NAS’ main role will be Maritime
skills taught during their training in Counter Terrorism, deployed Contingent
order complete the mission; all within a Operations, UK Tasking and an
tactical scenario set by the instructors Operational Conversion Flight (OCF).
which included air threats and battle The OCF will embed in 846 NAS in mid
space management constraints, 2015 when 28 (AC) Sqn disbands and
and operating with live troops. 845 NAS stands up in it’s place.
Exercise MERLIN STORM was 846 NAS returns to RNAS Yeovilton
conducted on Salisbury Plain with the in April 2015 with 845 NAS following in Pictured: Merlin
crews operating out of Rollestone Camp, 2016 when all three Commando Helicopter Mk3 over Imber
village and a Merlin
the final scenario was a troop insertion Force squadrons will be reunited Mk3 and troops
into Imber village where hostile forces after nearly three years apart. from 45 Cdo RM
were waiting. A casualty evacuation
followed the insertion before the troops
were extracted after defeating the
enemy along with captured personnel.
The benefits of a field exercise such
as MERLIN STORM were not solely
realised by the student aircrew, but was
also a mutual training benefit for the
troops of 45 Cdo RM, giving them the
experience of operating with air assets
in the field. Alongside Merlins, Sea
Kings from 845 NAS took part in training
serials earlier in the week and Pumas
from RAF Benson also participated in
the final exercise, showcasing the wider
joint rotary capabilities of the JHC.
Of the 16 students, 14 were ex
Sea King aircrew re-roling and facing
the training challenges of operating
a more modern ‘digital’ aircraft. The
Merlin Mk3 controls are similar to the

20 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 21
 TRAINING
16 Air
Assault
Brigade
Prepares for
American
Exercise
Soldiers from 16 Air Assault
Brigade, the British Army’s rapid
reaction force, have practised the
skills needed to seize an airfield
as they prepare for a major
training exercise in America.
E
xercise Red Prepare saw the
paratroopers of 3rd Battalion The
Parachute Regiment assault an
airfield on the Stanford Training
Area in Norfolk today (Wednesday 4th
February), with close air support from
two Apache attack helicopters from 3
Regiment Army Air Corps. Once it was
secured, 23 Engineer Regiment (Air
Assault) followed up to clear obstacles,
remove unexploded ordnance and fill
craters to bring the runway back into use.
A delegation of senior officers from
the American 2nd Brigade Combat Team,
82nd Airborne Division (2 BCT) watched
the training. The 800-strong 3 PARA
Battlegroup from 16 Air Asslt Bde is
heading to Fort Bragg in North Carolina in
March for a six-week exercise with 2 BCT.
The Combined Joint Operational Access
Exercise (CJOAX) will test the ability of
the two formations, which both serve as
their respective armies’ rapid reaction
forces, to deploy together on operations.
Brigadier Nick Borton DSO MBE,
Commander of 16 Air Asslt Bde, said:
“We are developing interoperability
between 16 and 82 and CJOAX will be
an important milestone in the process.
With the end of combat operations in
Afghanistan, both formations are looking
22 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
to future challenges. We both serve
as high readiness reaction forces and
it makes sense to train with a key ally
We learnt that paratroopers are the so we are able to operate together.”
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth
same in both armies - fit, disciplined Burgess, Commanding Officer of 2
and motivated soldiers using very BCT’s 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne
Infantry Regiment (1-325th AIR), said:
similar tactics. A British company “This visit gives us an opportunity to
worked well within the battalion, better appreciate and understand the
and CJOAX is taking a battlegroup capabilities of 16 Air Assault Brigade
and how they would conduct this type
within our brigade combat team. of operation. We laid out a path last year
Lt Col Burgess to build the scale and capabilities of our
relationship, and it is progressing well.”
A company from 3 PARA trained
in Fort Bragg with 1-325th AIR last
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
summer. Lt Col Burgess said: “We learnt that
paratroopers are the same in both armies - fit,
disciplined and motivated soldiers using very
similar tactics. A British company worked well
within the battalion, and CJOAX is taking a
battlegroup within our brigade combat team.
“If British and American paratroopers can
operate together it gives another option to
our countries’ policy makers to respond to
crises affecting our shared national interests.”
The 3 PARA BG is currently serving as the
Air Assault Task Force, held at high readiness
to deploy on operations around the world,
while 2 BCT is training to become the US
Army’s equivalent as the Global Reaction
Force. Airfield seizure is a key skill for the
rapid reaction role, allowing the capture of a
foothold for further troops and equipment
to arrive and develop operations.
3 PARA’s Pte Anthony Scott, 25 from
Maldon, Essex, said: “This was a good chance
to run out our skills and drills and work with
Apache helicopters. We tabbed onto the area
last night, attacked and captured buildings
to harbour in, did a recce of the airfield
and then did the attack, which went very
well. I’m looking forward to the American
exercise. It will be a good opportunity to
train alongside our American colleagues and
learn more about how they do business.”
The process of developing
interoperability has seen British and
American headquarters staff work together
to integrate command and control
procedures and units have carried out
field training together in both countries.
23 Engr Regt (Air Asslt)’s Lance Corporal
Mark Langley, 26 from Redditich, said:
“I went to Fort Bragg last year to work
with the 37th Engineer Battalion, which
is our direct counterpart. They are highly
specialised in airfield seizure skills, whereas
we have more general engineering skills
such as water supply and bridging. It’ll be
good to go back and continue to work
together - they can teach us from the depth
of their specific skills, and they are keen to
learn from our breadth of capabilities.”
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 23
 TRAINING

Exercise
in an unfamiliar environment for aircrew,
engineers and logisticians alike. That said,

Clockwork
the CHF have been deploying to this area
for over forty years and the opportunity
for us to contribute something back to

Resupplies our Norwegian hosts is very satisfying.

We hope to be invited back for many

Remote years to come as the training value

gained here aligns very well with our

Norwegian primary customers at home, 3 Commando

Brigade Royal Marines who have been

Log Cabin deployed in the area this winter as well.”

There is no secret art to operating
successfully in Arctic conditions – it
Joint Helicopter Command is a matter of careful training and the
personnel from the Royal resupply tasking presented the perfect

Navy and the Army Air Corps
have been putting into
practice skills learnt during
Arctic flying training as they
assisted the Norwegian
Trust Association resupply
a remote log cabin in
Northern Norway.
Words By: Kerry Randall
F
lying the Navy Merlin Mk3 and the Army
Air Corps Lynx Mk7 helicopters, the
British aviators flew from their Arctic
base at the Royal Norwegian Air Force
base Bardufoss. Collecting approximately 6
tons of logs from Overas, they delivered the
logs 30 kilometres high into the mountains to
a log cabin owned by the non profit making
Norwegian Trust at the picturesque Lappjord.
Mr Bernhard Eilertsen, Warden for the
Norwegian Trust Association said, “The
British military based at Bardufoss have been
assisting us with the resupply for over ten
years now and we are always grateful for
their help” he added “It would take Ski-
Doo snowmobiles seven days to resupply
the remote location so the offer of help by
helicopter is always a labour saving welcome.”
Major Jon Parry who is the second in
command at 846 NAS said, “The training
gained at Bardufoss is second to none for
providing extremely challenging conditions
opportunity for the pilots and aircrewmen
to prove vital skills learnt so far during
their annual winter training detachment.
Both Merlin and Lynx helicopters of 846
NAS and 659 AAC dropped off under
slung loads of logs into deep snow.
This produces a highly disorientating
‘whiteout’ as the snow billows up into
the rotors and is considered a skill
commanding some of the highest
technical merit in aviation.

JHC ‘Clockwork’ has provided Joint

Helicopter Command and Commander
Helicopter Force with an Arctic flying
Combined Joint
Personnel Recovery
base for over 40 years, flying and
operating in the Arctic winter is a
matter of applying known techniques

Standardisation Course
to a hostile environment and everything
at ‘Clockwork’ is geared towards this,
the training provided by the facility is as
relevant today as it has always been, as
it enables military personnel to prepare
for future operations worldwide. Units from across the European Air Group came together in
Currently two hundred and Belgium to conduct personnel recovery training during September
twenty military personnel from and October 2014. TSW took part in multi-national Forward
Joint Helicopter Command (JHC)
comprising elements of the Commando
Arming Refuel Point (FARP) exercises to improve interoperability;
Helicopter Force (CHF) headquarters, refuelling aircraft from other European nations by day and night.
846 Naval Air Squadron and 659

Squadron Army Air Corps are currently
deployed to Norway undertaking
environmental training (EVT) in the
extreme conditions of the Arctic.
Situated some 200 miles
inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint
Helicopter Command training facility
near Bardufoss, the base known as
‘Clockwork’ provides survival and
environmental training and support
facilities to enable aviation capable
units to survive, operate and fight in
extreme cold weather environments.
846 NAS operates the Merlin Mk3
helicopter and will shortly return to it’s
spiritual home at RNAS Yeovilton in
EXERCISE CLOCKWORK
T
he six week course saw eight
personnel from TSW work with
partners from Belgium, France,
Italy and the Netherlands
to establish FARPs across Belgium.
These FARP locations were used to
provide rapid and tactical refuelling
to aircraft from the same nations as
well as Germany, Poland and Spain.
Operators took turns to lead the FARP
sites. TSW Fuels Operator Cpl Pellington
said on being led by the French and
of the helicopter landing sites marking
technique and the equipment available for
this – from the high-tech Tactical Approach
Lighting System (TALS) to the more
improvised cylume taped to a jerry can.
As part of a VIP visit, TSW were selected
to demonstrate Rotor Turning Refuelling
on a Spanish AS332. TSW Detachment
Commander Sgt Scott Gasser said ‘This was
carried out with complete professionalism
and the feedback from the high ranking
NATO VIPs displayed how TSW is seen

Somerset having been based at RAF
Benson in Oxfordshire until now.
659 ACC operates the Lynx Mk7
helicopter, an aircraft conducting its
final overseas deployment prior to
retirement in the Spring. They Aircrew
of the Mk7 will convert to the Lynx Mk9
Pictured: Merlin Mk3 USL at the Norwegian
Trust Association Log Cabin and Lynx or the replacement aircraft, the Wildcat.
Mk7 with Underslung Load (USL)
Italians ‘It was a really successful exercise
and was good to work closely with our
EAG partners, even if sometimes the
language barrier made things difficult.’
Members of the TSW team also given
the opportunity to deliver a brief on FARP
operations by night. This included discussion
and demonstration of the deployment
as the benchmark unit when it comes
to tactical rotors turning refuelling.’
TSW Flight Commander Flying
Officer Lawrence Scott said “CJPRS is
a great opportunity for TSW to work
with our EAG partners, practice their
skills and exchange best practice and
the team has done exactly that.”

24 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 25
 TRAINING
Pictured: Merlin Re-Role Course, L-R Back Row: LACMN Ashleigh White, Sgt Nicholas Godley RM, Sgt Richard Goodwill RM, Sgt Adrian Bennett RM,
CSgt Christopher Gratton RM, Lt Timothy Frost RN, LACMN Jack Cook. L-R Front Row: Lt Benjamin Taylor RN, Lt Nicholas Charlesworth RN, Lt Cdr Colin
Griffiths RN, Capt Niall Griffin MBE RN, Commodore Matt Briers RN, Lt Cdr Richard Bartram RN, Lt Benjamin Brazenall RN, Lt Nicholas Teece RN.
Commando Helicopter Force
Merlin Course
Students Graduate
Fifteen graduate aviators from
the Commando Helicopter
Force reached the culmination
of months of hard work as
they were awarded their
prestigious ‘Wings’ and
graduation certificates
by Commodore Matt
Briers, after completing
the 22 Merlin re-role
course at RAF Benson.
T
he CHF Merlin
courses are
currently run by
28(AC) Squadron,
Royal Air Force until the
Operational Conversion Flight
moves to RNAS Yeovilton in
mid 2015 when it will embed
into 846 Naval Air Squadron.
After 28 (AC) Sqn is disbanded
845 NAS will perform this role.
Lt Cdr Richard Bartram, a
graduate on the Merlin Mk3
26 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
and the new Operations Officer at 846 NAS
said, “The Operational Conversion Course
to Merlin Mk3 has been another string
to my bow as a Naval Aviator. Having
previously flown maritime (Lynx Mk3
and 8) and light battlefield
helicopters (Lynx Mk7 and
Mk9) before converting
to the support helicopter
role which has been
another variation in the
discipline of flying
naval helicopters.
Pictured: Commodore Matt Briers RN presenting
Leading Aircrewman Jack Cook with his ‘Wings.’
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
Paratroopers Train
for Complexities of
Modern Operations
Major Mark Swann, Officer Commanding
From house-to-house fighting C (Bruneval) Company, 2 PARA, said: “We are
to dealing with the threat held ready to deploy on operations at very short
of Chemical, Biological, notice, and need to have the skills and flexibility
Radiological and Nuclear to conduct the full spectrum of military activity
(CBRN) weapons, paratroopers in any environment. This exercise is about
have practised key skills refreshing and confirming our skills to fight
they need to operate on both in urban areas and deal with CBRN,
the modern battlefield. which add extra complexities to operations.”
Private Shehab El-Minini, 26 from south
west London, said: “Town and cities are
E
xercise Urban Eagle has placed very complex places that are full of people
troops from 2nd Battalion The and can be easily fortified and defended. and have to get the CBRN kit unpacked
Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) on a As an infantry soldier it’s one of the most and on as quickly as possible, it really gets
mission to support an ally tackling an challenging environments to operate in. the adrenaline going. The kit is hot, sweaty
insurgency backed by a hostile neighbour. The “Our training has taken us from how we and uncomfortable but it does protect you
week-long training on the STANTA Ranges move through streets as individuals and and allows you to keep doing your job.”
in Norfolk is designed to refresh key skills then adds the complexity of increasing Colchester-based 2 PARA’s core role is to
needed by the paratroopers in their role as numbers of troops and other capabilities, alternate with 3rd Battalion The Parachute
the British Army’s global rapid reaction force. such as using mousehole charges to blow Regiment as the lead unit in the Air Assault
Everyone here at RAF Benson have The soldiers have carried out holes in walls to enter buildings.” Task Force (AATF), which is ready to deploy
been great at assisting the Naval company attacks on the mock village at The CBRN threat arises both from anywhere in the world to conduct the full
personnel with getting to grips with a Eastmere, clearing out enemy fighters deliberate use of CBRN weapons and range of military operations. 2 PARA took
new aircraft type and now we, the building-by building and street-by-street; damage to industrial infrastructure on the AATF role from the start of March,
Naval service, look forward to the faced simulated chemical attacks and caused by fighting or natural disasters. with the unit’s airborne infantry bolstered by
move back to our spiritual home of contained rioters bombarding them with Private Michael Glynn, 27 from Lanark, said: artillery, engineers, signallers, medics and
RNAS Yeovilton in April and developing abuse, petrol bombs and missiles. “When you hear the shout of ‘gas, gas, gas’ logisticians from 16 Air Assault Brigade.
the aircraft’s capabilities further.”
For the eight Pilots and seven
Aircrewmen, this ceremony signified
the end of six months of Merlin flying
training at 28(AC) Squadron being
trained by both RN and RAF instructors.
The training comprised five phases;
Basic, Advanced, Instrument Flying,
Night and Operational. They now
look forward to an extremely busy
and challenging period on the front
line, training in Norway and
deployments around the world.
The training concluded
with the Merlins being
deployed to the field
on a tactical exercise
on Salisbury Plain for
a week for Exercise
MERLIN STORM, where
the students were taught
to fight the aircraft.
Learning to operate in a
more austere environment
and working with troops in
realistic tactical scenarios.
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 27
 TRAINING

rain and very boggy conditions

underfoot, which adds to the fun!”
R e d c a p s T r a i n f o r Lance Corporal Jasmine Clifford,
Merlin Aircrew Demonstrate
GlobalOperations
23, said: “This has been a challenging
exercise that’s tested both our general
soldiering and specific policing skills.
I’ve only been with the company for
Precision Flying Skills
eight weeks so it’s good to get out The Merlin of 28 (AC ) Sqn was
in the field to show my capabilities on routine training sortie when
to everyone and better understand these pictures were snapped.
Military police have gone back to the past as they train for future our particular role on operations.”

T
operations with the British Army’s rapid reaction force. The training is 156 Pro Coy’s first he landing demonstrates
major exercise since it moved from the advanced handling and

E
xercise Eagles Redcap been forgotten but weren’t needed in Lance Corporal Tom Dutton, 24 from being a standalone company within 16 communication skills required
has seen 156 Provost Afghanistan. There’s been a lot of dusting Newark, said: “We’ve been actively Air Asslt Bde to join 4 RMP. The change, by the crew to talk the aircraft
Company, 4th Regiment off of old doctrine and going back to our patrolling on foot across the area to carried out with the creation of 1 Military down to such a position. These skills
Royal Military Police (156 basic skills and drills, such as route signing. interact with the local population, Police Brigade as part of the Army 2020 are required for all landings, but
Pro Coy, 4 RMP) training in the “Sennybridge has proved the arduous and setting up vehicle checkpoints and reforms, is designed to pool resources become critical when on/off loading
harsh environment of Sennybridge demanding environment that we wanted, but investigating incidents. It’s been and best practice and ensure the in difficult terrain or mountain tops
in South Wales. The exercise everyone’s performing well and morale is high.” tough, with cold weather, heavy independence of military policing. where precision is crucial.
placed the troops on a mission to
support and train an ally’s security
forces as they tackle an insurgency
backed by a hostile neighbour.
The Colchester-based troops
stayed in the field throughout the
week-long training, relying on their
boots to move through the rugged
hills of the Brecon Beacons and
the kit carried in their backpacks
to do their jobs and live off. They
practised the specialist policing skills
of evidence gathering, detainee
handling and route reconnaissance
and signing, as well as the wider
soldiering skills of infantry
attacks, first aid and patrolling.
Captain Carl Ingham said: “This
training is about preparing for our
high readiness role with 16 Air
Assault Brigade. With the end of
operations in Afghanistan, we need
to move on and train for different
operations, environments and
adversaries. That means relearning
conventional military policing
skills that have not necessarily

156 Provost Company, 4th Regiment

Royal Military Police (156 Pro Coy,
4 RMP) is trained to deploy by
parachute or helicopter to provide
military policing support to 16 Air
Assault Brigade. It would deploy a
FURTHER INFO…

platoon as part of the Air Assault

Task Force, including trained
crime scene investigators from
the RMP’s Special Investigations
Branch and custodial specialists
from the Military Provost Service.

28 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 29
 TRAINING

A Busy Start Commando

Helicopter
for 29 (BATUS) Flt A
AC Force Supports
Exercise
environmental training to prepare them for
the worst case scenario. Crews always carry
their own personalised survival bag with
Aquilla
them in the aircraft including matchless Merlin aircraft of the Commando Helicopter Force on exercise in
fire starting kits, rations and warm clothing Norway put their recent training into practise when they extracted Royal
as well as an aircraft survival bag issued Marines of 43 Commando in the final stages of Exercise AQUILLA.
by the RAF. At the end of January, the Flt

It is always the same after the
Christmas leave period, a
quick welcome back and then
right back into the mix.
and average temperatures during the day
hover around -15°C, so the Royal Engineers
have a tough job ahead of them. But they can
brave the cold with confidence knowing the
Gazelles of 29 (BATUS) Flt AAC are on standby
and rebuild infrastructure that has been
levelled in the full scale, live fire assaults.
29 (BATUS) Flt AAC is primarily on 30
minute NTM by day and 60 minute by
night to provide CASEVAC and secondly
deployed to the Rocky Mountains with
Colour Sergeant Bateman RM, a very
experienced Mountain Leader. The Flt was
given an evening of lectures that included
the physiological effects of the cold on the
human body, types of shelter in a snow
covered environment and techniques to
keeping warm and treating cold injuries.
The next day the Flt was put through its
paces and taken on a cross country march
in snow shoes and shown the difficulties of
moving through deep snow. They were also
shown the different layers that snow forms
T
he Royal Marines of 43 Cdo had
been conducting cold weather
training in the extreme conditions
of northern Norway when two
Commando Merlins of 846 Naval Air
Squadron arrived to extract them at the
end of their final tactical exercise. The
Merlins have been in Norway since January
conducting cold weather training
and relished the chance to
work with live troops,
bringing reality to
training and ending
can fly and operate in support of ‘Royal’
in the Arctic, we can do it anywhere.”
The Officer Commanding cold weather
training for 43 Cdo said, “The involvement
of helicopters to support our training
adds the dimension of realism and tempo
to a tactical exercise that cannot be
underplayed. The relationship that 846 and
3 Commando Brigade troops have
reinforced here will continue
on subsequent exercises
and deployments
into the future.”

T
he winter range repair
programme (Ex WARPAINT), is
under way at British Army Training
Unit Suffield (BATUS). BATUS is
the British Army’s Armoured Battle Group
training ground for foundation training of
our Reactive Forces. At the time of writing
there is about a foot of snow on the ground
in the CASEVAC role should they be required.
BATUS training area is bigger than
all of the British Army’s training grounds
combined and during the exercise period
(April - September) it is fully utilised by
artillery, challenger 2 main battle tanks and
armoured infantry units. During the winter it
is up to the Royal Engineers to reset targets
to conduct reconnaissance of areas
where the engineers will be working.
Winter CASEVAC has its own challenges
for the Flt; and both pilots and ground
crew know how tough the extreme
cold conditions can be on the aircraft
and on themselves. With temperature
varying between -30°C and 0°C daily and
temperatures growing with height adding
to the mix, planning can be problematic.
Monitoring of forecast temperatures
mixed with local knowledge allow the
Flt engineers to stay ahead of the game
when servicing the aircraft with the
most suitable oils and fuels. ‘Whiteout’
also posses a threat to the crews, so all
pilots regularly fly with the Qualified
Helicopter Instructor and practise their
snow landings both during the day and
at night using night vision goggles.
29 (BATUS) Flt prepare for the worst
when it comes to the CASEVAC of
exercising troops but they also have
to prepare if they themselves become
stuck on the area! The Gazelle is a very
reliable platform however both ground
crew and pilots are given cold weather
when it falls, the dangers that avalanches
pose, how to escape them and how to
find some one who has been buried by
one. After what was a very comprehensive
morning 29 Flt was split in to five teams
chosen by the JNCOs and competed in
a two hour race to dig a two man snow
hole. The winner was picked by CSgt
Bateman RM and the Flt ASM, WO1 Brooks
(experienced in Norway Operations),
and judged on technical accuracy, size,
depth and strength. The winning team
was led by LCpl Donlan. The next two
days were spent on the slopes conducting
AT under ski instructors who helped
members of the Flt ski for the first time
or improve those who had skied before.
The Flt has now recovered from their
busy week in the snow and are back in
BATUS as the Royal Engineers undertake
Ex WARPAINT ahead of the major Battle
Group exercises starting in May. It is a
tough regime working in an isolated Flt
dislocated from its HQ 4,300 miles away
from the UK but the soldiers and aircrew
of 29 (BATUS) Flight Army Air Corps
wouldn’t have it any other way.
a successful few 846 Squadron and
months in the Arctic CHF have only been
circle for 846 NAS. operating the Merlin
Lt Cdr Alex since October 2014
Hampson from and in that time have
846 NAS said, deployed to both
“Supporting Royal Jordan and Norway for
Marines on the ground environmental training.
is exactly what we are Lt Cdr Hampson went on to
here for and the ability to say, “This is the first time that a
train in extreme arctic conditions CHF Squadron has operated Merlin in
and then put those skills into practice the Arctic and whilst the learning curve has
exponentially increases the training been steep, the capability that this aircraft
value for us and the troops alike. If we brings to the force is now being realised.”
Exercise AQUILLA is the 3 Commando
Brigade Cold Weather Exercise. 43 Cdo
are the last unit to roll through and have
been ‘on course’ for nearly three weeks.
Prior to 43 Cdo, Whiskey Coy 45 Cdo
completed their Cold Weather Training,
again supported by the Commando Merlins.
With Ex CLOCKWORK now complete,
846 NAS have Environmentally Qualified
(EQ’d) 18 Pilots and 13 aircrewman to
operate in Arctic conditions with four aircraft
flying nearly 300 hours over six weeks, 40 of
those hours in support of 3 Cdo Bde.

30 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 31
 TRAINING
Logistics&Maintenance Troops Take Aim
From chefs to mechanics,
troops who support the British
Army’s rapid reaction force have
polished their soldiering skills.
T
he logistic and maintenance troops
of 16 Air Assault Brigade provide
the power behind the punch
delivered by the Brigade’s Apache
attack helicopters and airborne infantry
and artillery. Exercise Eagles Prey has put
the supporting soldiers through their paces
to ensure they are ready to deploy as part
of the Air Assault Task Force (AATF).
The week-long training at the Stanford
Training Area in Norfolk has seen troops
from 13 Air Assault Support Regiment
Royal Logistic Corps and 8 Field Company
(Para), 7 Air Assault Battalion Royal
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers build
up from testing their marksmanship with
the SA80-A2 assault rifle to practising
live fire attacks by day and night.
Vehicle mechanic Lance Corporal
Jason Copley, of 8 Fd Coy (Para), said:
“This has been a very thorough package
of training and it’s great to keep the
infantry skills that we all learn in basic
training up to date. When we deploy on
operations we would go as mechanics
or armourers, but would still be out on
the ground and need these skills.”
The 30-year-old from Canterbury
served in Afghanistan in 2012. He said: “I
32 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
deployed as both a mechanic and driver for
an infantry fire support group. I was outside
the wire every day and used these fire and
manoeuvre skills on a regular basis.”
Private Jake Boardman is a driver with
13 AA Sp Regt RLC. The 19-year-old from
Warrington said: “In training we all start off
with the basic soldiering skills like this and
then you specialise in a trade. As a driver my
day to day work is about ensuring vehicles
and equipment are ready to deploy, and
I’ve recently done a lot of training to be
able to drive the Jackal armoured vehicle.
It’s different to come out on the ranges
and practise with our weapons, but it’s vital
that if we deploy on an operation we are all
trained to be able to defend ourselves.”
Both 13 AA Sp Regt RLC and 8 Fd Coy
(Para) provide soldiers for the AATF, which is
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
ready to deploy anywhere in the world at
short notice to conduct the full spectrum
of military operations, from non-combatant
evacuation operations to warfighting.
Brigade training officer Captain
Gary Palmer said: “Regardless of their
role it is important that soldiers have
the skills to operate effectively in the
complex environment of contemporary
military operations. This is particularly
important for 16 Air Assault Brigade,
which is a lean and fast-moving formation
that needs adaptable and self-reliant
soldiers who are able to do whatever
is asked of them on operations, in
addition to their specialist roles.”
The core role of 13 Air Assault Support
Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (13 AA
Sp Regt RLC) is to supply and distribute
materiel, food, fuel, ammunition and
spare parts to 16 Air Assault Brigade,
the British Army’s rapid reaction
force. The regiment specialises in the
movement of supplies by helicopter
and aeroplanes, including air despatch.
7 Air Assault Battalion Royal
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
(7 Air Asslt Bn REME), based at
Wattisham, is responsible for
maintaining the Army’s helicopters
FURTHER INFO…
and unmanned aerial systems, with
its 8 Field Company (Para), based
at Merville Barracks in Colchester,
looking after the trucks and armoured
vehicles of 16 Air Assault Brigade.
2 015
Operational
Honours &
Awards
JHC Recepients
OBE
• Acting Colonel (now Colonel)
Jaimie Roylance, RM, HQ JHC
DFC
• Flight Lieutenant (now Major
in Army Air Corps) Laura
Nicholson, AAC, AMPTAT
AFC
• Flight Lieutenant Edward
Berwick, RAF, RAF Odiham
QCVS
• Staff Sergeant Kate Lord,
RAPTC, 1 Regt AAC
• Major Paul Stewart,
AAC, 5 Regt AAC
JCCC
• Captain Jason Porter,
AAC, 4 Regt AAC
• Flight Lieutenant Christopher
Ashton, RAF, RAF Benson
• Squadron Leader Christopher
Higgins, RAF, RAF Odiham
The following 3 individuals were
previously serving within JHC
OBE
• Lieutenant Colonel David
Kenny, R IRISH, 2 R IRISH
QCVS
• Private Carl Lester, RLC,
Ex RAF Odiham
JCCC
• Captain Nicholas English,
AAC, Shrivenham
HONOURS & AWARDS
Joint Helicopter Command
Lead Commemorative Fly Past
The joint nature of the JHC
was on display in March to
lead the Afghanistan Service
of Commemoration flypast
in London, consisting of Sea
King (Commando Helicopter
Force), Chinook (RAF Support
Helicopter Force) and
Apache (Army Air Corps) of
the JHC and the Hercules
and Tornado of the RAF.
T
he formation flew directly over
St Paul’s Cathedral following
the service of commemoration
and was watched by the
Royal Family, massed military and
civilian spectators. The Flypast was
also aired on national and international
TV and was seen by millions.
The JHC aircraft taking part were
critical to operations in Afghanistan from
the very start. Along with the Merlin and stores, airlifting 720,200 personnel
and Lynx aircraft which also played a and extracting 13,300 casualties.
huge part in the campaign, a total of Wg Cdr Nick Knight, who has completed
138,400 flying hours were conducted, four tours in Afghanistan and was formation
moving 24,800 tonnes of equipment leader for the flypast said: ‘It was an
immense privilege to be part
of the Commemorative
Flypast - bringing an end
to the Chinook Force’s
significant contribution to
HERRICK. The Force can be
justifiably very proud of its
achievements throughout
the campaign, particularly
of its IRT/MERT role. As OC
27 Sqn, I still have crews
committed to Afghanistan
(Op TORAL) and look
forward to handing over this
commitment to the Puma
Force imminently.’
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 33
 PEOPLE

G
Japan’s
Pictured: Merlin in en Nakatani visited the UK with
Wellington Barracks
Merlin Meets… and Japanese Defence
Minister Nakatani
the Japanese Foreign Minister
in the first ever Foreign and
Defence Ministerial Meeting
between the UK and Japan. Earlier,
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had
met the Japanese Ministers to discuss

Defence
global security situation, including the
challenge posed by ISIL and international
terrorism, and what more the UK and
Japan can do together in the areas
of defence and security to promote
international peace and security.
Defence Minister Nakatani took

Minister
office in December 2014, and as part
of a wider organised Defence visit to
the United Kingdom, he took the time
to find out more about the Merlin and
the Commando Helicopter Force.
The visit allowed Gen Nakatani to learn
more about the Joint Helicopter Command
and the Commando Helicopter Forces
capability, specifically how CHF integrates
with other foreign nations’ Armed Forces.
Japan’s Defence Minister, Gen Nakatani took the opportunity to inspect a Commando Helicopter The VIP tasking was flown by CHF
Force Merlin aircraft in a recent visit to the UK. Landing in the grounds of Wellington Barracks, the aircrew from 28 (AC) Squadron, based at
Merlin aircrew of the gave the Japanese delegation a tour of the CHF’s newest helicopter. RAF Benson, and after the familiarisation

End of an Era
tour of the aircraft, Defence Minister
Words By: Kerry Randall Nakatani and his party were taken on a
short flight over central London, which
included aerial views of the Olympic
Park and the Tower of London.
Flt Lt John Plenty, the aircraft captain,
said, “It was an enjoyable experience landing CO TSW Hands Over Command
as large an aircraft as the Merlin at a small
Helicopter Landing Site just a few hundred The RAF Tactical Supply Wing bade a final farewell to Wg Cdr Andy
metres from Buckingham Palace. Despite the Males, outgoing Commanding Officer of TSW on 22nd January 2015.
poor weather our VIP passengers seemed
to thoroughly enjoy the experience of the Words By: Flt Lt Matt Cox Since the Wing’s formation, in 1971, TSW
Merlin aircraft. Overall it was one of the personnel have been engaged on continuous

more unusual tasks we have completed
recently, I and the crew felt privileged to
have been a small part of the overall visit.”
The Merlin has recently transitioned
from the RAF to the Commando Helicopter
Force and will replace the infamous Sea
King over the next few years. The Merlin
will undergo a modification programme to
adapt the aircraft for embarked operations
in the maritime environment and will
enhance the Command Helicopter Forces
W
g Cdr Males is one of the
few commissioned officers
to have served in each rank
level within TSW from Flt
Lt to Wg Cdr appointments. Serving as
OC B Flight (January to October 2002),
OC Ops (October 2002 to July 2004),
OC Tactical Fuels Sqn (July 2008 to
August 2010) and latterly Commanding
Officer (January 2013 to January 2015).
Wg Cdr Males leaves to take up an
operations, including the Falkland Islands,
Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. With the
redeployment from Op HERRICK, TSW has
refocused its efforts to support contingent
operations worldwide and in November
2014 deployed personnel to support the
UK efforts to combat the spread of Ebola
in Sierra Leone (Op GRITROCK).
The provision of aviation fuel to

RAF TACTICAL SUPPLY WING (TSW)

ability to deploy to any environment,
anywhere in the world, across a spectrum
of tasks, from humanitarian support
and disaster relief to war fighting.
The Merlin is flown by 846 Naval Air
Squadron (NAS) and 28 (AC) Squadron,
with 845 NAS taking over the remaining
aircraft when 28 (AC) Sqn disbands later
this year. 846 NAS returns to Somerset
in May this year bringing the Merlin to
it’s new home in RNAS Yeovilton.
deployed battlefield helicopters is
appointment within Defence Engagement the responsibility of the TSW based
Strategy in MoD Main Building. at RAF Stafford. TSW is a key enabler
The Incoming CO, Wg Cdr Tim within the Joint Helicopter Command,
delivering tactical aircraft refuelling
Moss, has arrived from MoD Main and deployed fuels support on behalf
Building having completed a tour of all three services. Currently the TSW
within Capability Strategy. He said maintains a significant commitment on
“It is an honour to become the CO operations and holds key capabilities at
Very High Readiness to meet contingent
of such a specialist operational unit, operations and supports an extensive
with a proud and illustrious history of exercise programme, which mandates
providing forward ‘in-the-field’ refuelling routine deployments across the globe.
support to air and aviation assets.

34 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 35
 PEOPLE
Ground
Control
to Major Tim
Maj Peake, a former Apache pilot with the Army Air Corps,
is the first Briton to be appointed by the European Space
Agency (ESA) Astronaut Corps and begins his mission on
the International Space Station (ISS) in November.
Words and Images By: European Space Agency
T
im, aged 42, who maintains his
flying in the Army Reserve, will be
conducting a range of scientific
experiments and maintenance
work, including using the robotic arm
and spacewalking, if the opportunity
arises.

Married father-of-two Tim, who
joined the European Space Agency
(ESA) in 2009, took time out of his busy
schedule to answer our questions. From
flying Apaches to life in space, and from
spaceman food to orbital
soundtracks:
find out what he had to say…
Q. Why did you decide that you
wanted to become an astronaut?
A. I’d been working as a military test pilot
in the five years before I applied to ESA,
36 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
so I had already had an interest in the space demonstrated outstanding abilities in these
sector – aviation and space are linked and fields, preferably including operational
share many similar technologies. When the skills. First we filled in online questionnaires,
European Space Agency announced they but after that the selection rounds got
were selecting new astronauts in 2009, I tougher each time. These rounds of
was ideally placed to apply and thought computer-based tests, psychological
it too good an opportunity to miss. For assessments and personal skills eventually
me, being an astronaut combines all the reduced the 8,000 applicants to around
elements that I found rewarding about a 20 or so. Around 50 per cent of the
test pilot career with the incredibly exciting candidates failed the stringent medical
prospect of being part of an international requirements. The remaining candidates
effort to advance our knowledge of went through formal interviews, with
science and human space exploration. the final ten being invited to meet ESA’s
Director General, Jean-Jacques Dordain.
Q. H ow difficult was it to get onto
the ESA’s training programme? Q. What qualifications did you need?
A. ESA was looking for people who were A. Candidates had to have a university degree
qualified in science or engineering, with or equivalent at Masters or Doctorate level
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
in natural sciences, medicine, engineering,
IT or mathematics. If we applied as pilots,
we had to have a minimum of 1,000 hours
on various high-performance aircraft,
preferably as test pilots, as well as a
degree. I trained as a helicopter pilot,
flight instructor and test pilot, and I have
a BSc in flight dynamics and evaluation
from the University of Portsmouth.
Q. How has your Army training helped
when you have been training with ESA?
A. I think my Army training has helped
enormously in preparing me for being an
astronaut. The Army provides an opportunity
to develop personal skills that are extremely
useful in many walks of life. Some of the
skills that you learn along the way as a test
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
For me, being an
astronaut combines
all the elements
that I found
rewarding about
a test pilot career
with the incredibly
exciting prospect
of being part of an
international effort
to advance our
knowledge of
science
and human space
exploration.
Major Tim Peake

pilot or pilot in general are fundamental
to the astronaut role. Not just in terms of
getting on as a crew, but also in terms of
accurate and timely analysis of problems
and stability in emergency situations. In
addition to these characteristics, astronauts
must have good interpersonal and
communication skills in order to operate
effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Q. Has being an Apache pilot
helped in any way?
A. Yes, I’m sure it has! The tandem seat
arrangement of the Apache demands
clear, concise verbal crew communication.
Furthermore, the skills developed
for target tracking have proved
extremely useful when manipulating
the Space Station’s robotic arm. And,
of course there’s the ability to look at
different things with each eye…
Q. What skills have you carried over
into your astronaut training?
A. There have been a couple of hair-raising
moments in my career and I think you
would be hard pushed to speak to a
helicopter pilot with 3,000 hours who
hasn’t had one or two emergencies. It’s
the nature of the job really. You explore
the limits of aircraft performance, but
before each flight, you spend a lot of
time analysing the risks and making sure
everything is safe. On the other hand,
you have to accept some risk in order to
progress. This is very similar to spaceflight.
I’ve found that in emergency situations
the training really does take over, which is
a bit of a cliché, but simply it means that
you stay calm, analyse the problem and
find a solution as quickly as possible.
Q. Did you always dream of
being an astronaut?
A. No, not really. I hadn’t seriously thought
about becoming an astronaut before the
ESA selection in 2008. Before then I had
just assumed that there was no easy path
for a British citizen to become an astronaut.
Q. What will you be doing in space?
What will your role be?
A. I’ll be conducting scientific experiments
and doing maintenance work on the ISS.
The ISS actually comprises a number
of laboratories all bolted together and
scientific research is the main focus of the
mission. Much of the maintenance work
involves checks, routine replacements and
repairs. In addition, several of the visiting
resupply vehicles require capturing using
the space station’s robotic arm. There are
also scheduled spacewalks, in order to
repair or replace parts on the outside of
the space station. There’s no guarantee,
but maybe I’ll get a chance to do that.
Q. Are you nervous or excited about
going into space in a rocket?
A. I think as anyone you have to be aware of the
risks of sitting on top of a huge rocket, but
no, I’m definitely not nervous. Once in space,
it’s not an unfamiliar environment to be
working in, so I’m not overly apprehensive.
This is what all those years flying aircraft
have been leading to. I’ve carried out some
fairly high-risk flight tests, so my future
career is probably far safer than my past
career. I am actually very excited to be
going up. I’m looking forward to it. Using
the robotic arm, for example, or a spacewalk >>
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 37
 PEOPLE HONOURS & AWARDS

Honour The team from 3 Regiment Army Air

Corps, based at Wattisham Flying Station
in Suffolk, carried out ten displays this year,
drive for excellence” that has seen it
“push the boundaries to produce an
unrivalled display performance.”

for Apache including six major air shows and the national
event for Armed Forces Day in Stirling. A
AHDT manager Captain Chuck Nicol said:
“It’s wonderful to receive this recognition

Display
photograph of an Apache flying in front of a for a lot of hard work across the year by
billowing cloud of fire and smoke at the Royal the 12-strong team of ground crew, REME
International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford was technicians and aircrew. Our aim is to improve

Team
The soldiers behind explosive
displays that saw the British
Army’s Apache attack
helicopter fly in front of 500,000
people at air shows this year
have been honoured.
chosen by public vote as the best image in
the 2014 Army Photographic Competition.
The award was presented to the AHDT
by Colonel Jason Etherington, Commander
of Wattisham Flying Station. The citation
praised the team’s “hours of personal
sacrifice, professionalism and constant
public understanding of the role of the
Attack Helicopter Force by telling the story
of its work on operations in Afghanistan.
“The display was an operational crew
flying an operational aircraft at operational
weight, demonstrating a typical sortie
in support of troops on the ground.”
The scenario showcased the agility and
speed of the Apache, with pyrotechnic
explosions simulating its gunfire and
rockets and real time radio transmission

T
he Attack Helicopter Display between the pilot and simulated ground
Team (AHDT) has been forces bringing the display to life.
presented with the Pooley Capt Nicol said: “Our aim for next
Sword, which is awarded season’s display is to move the Apache
annually to an individual or group who story on from Afghanistan. As the AH
have “made a significant and concerted Force prepares for the uncertain challenge
contribution to the Attack Helicopter of contingency operations, our display
Force at home or on operations.” will change to reflect that.”

>> if the opportunity arises - that would
be the icing on the cake. Then there’s
simply living and working in space for
six months. Looking down on planet
Earth will be an incredible sight.
Q. How have you found the
weightlessness training?
A. I’ve done some zero-g training in an
aircraft, which was fun, but I think you
mean practicing for spacewalks. We do
that underwater in a neutral buoyancy
laboratory (a huge swimming pool!) in
Houston, and we repeat these sessions
until they become second nature. It is
certainly very physically and mentally
demanding; wearing a pressurized space
suit for six hours is extremely tiring. We
train quite often – right up until launch.
I absolutely love it, but it’s by far the
most challenging training so far – apart
from Russian language class, that is!
Q. Is there a favourite food you
are allowed to take or will miss
because you can’t take it?
A. Space food hasn’t always had a good
apple pie with ice cream or rhubarb and
custard. Surprisingly, many of these foods
can be adapted for spaceflight. In fact,
there was a competition for kids to develop
British-inspired space food, designed with
some of these tastes in mind specially for
my mission, with chef Heston Blumenthal.
Probably the most unwelcome foods in
space are things like crisps (with crumbs
that would go everywhere) or anything
with liquid that could not be contained.
Q. What does your family think about
you becoming an astronaut?
A. I am extremely fortunate as my family and
friends are extremely supportive. Rebecca
takes everything in her stride. We’ve been
married for nearly 15 years now and she
was in the Army herself so she knows the
pressures that we will have to face. Of
course I will miss her and my boys terribly,
but we will still be able to communicate
when I am away via email and by phone.
In fact, communicating with family from
space is probably easier than it is for many
military personnel deployed on operations!
And of course, my kids will be able to
When the next astronaut selection
comes along, I’m sure many more will
get the chance. As long as you bear
in mind that there really is no single
route to becoming an astronaut. The
best chances of success are to have a
solid foundation in the core sciences
or experience as a pilot, but it has
more to do with being passionate
about what you do and being as good
as you can be. Keep working at it.
Q. In a ‘Desert Island Discs’ moment,
what music will you be listening to?
A. I like a wide range of music, for different
moods, from rock to classical. I like U2,
Coldplay, Matchbox 20, Snow Patrol
and Madness for example, but there are
also some great film soundtracks that
I know will sound just fantastic when
I’m looking at Earth from the Cupola –
Layer Cake is one of my favourites.
Major Tim Peake:
www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_
Spaceflight/Astronauts/Timothy_Peake
–
FURTHER INFO…

reputation, but it has come a long way
since the early days of spaceflight. I love
a good Sunday roast with Yorkshire
pudding, beef stew and, of course,
curry. And I like desserts too, such as
say that their dad really is an astronaut. Army Air Corps:
www.army.mod.uk/aviation/air.aspx
–
Q. How easy do you think it will become European Space Agency:
for others to follow in your footsteps? www.esa.int/ESA
A. For other Europeans to go into space?

38 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 39
 SPORT

Olympic
4 RIFLES’ Corporal Mark Zareh, 27 from
Glasgow, who narrowly lost his light-welterweight
bout, said: “I can honestly say that when I came

Champion out of the ring I knew that I had given everything

that I could have possibly given. It’s very

at Army
disappointing because you put in a lot of work
to get to this stage. It’s relentless training day
in day out, giving up weekends and training

Boxing
every day for about four to five hours.”
DeGale, who won middleweight gold at
the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has had links to

finished in the top ten in her age and

gender categories at both the London
and Windsor triathlons. She set a
personal best of 2hr 5min in London at
the Olympic distance, which is a 1.5km
swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.
In the individual sports, Pte Preston
won the 400m freestyle and 4 x 50m
Match
Olympic gold medallist boxer
James DeGale cheered on
3rd Battalion The Parachute
Regiment as they punched
their way to progress in the
Army’s boxing competition.
3 PARA since the boxing team visited his
gym during their successful run to claiming
the Army title in 2013. In October 2014
he visited the unit at Merville Barracks
to gain an insight into military life.
The 29-year-old said: “It’s good to be
back here in Colchester. There’s a great
atmosphere, with 3 PARA really getting behind
their guys. The boxing has been great and
really entertaining, they don’t mess about,
title each time it has taken part since
2003. The unit did not compete in 2006,
2008 or 2011 because it was deployed in
Afghanistan and in 2014 due to training
commitments. The boxers are all soldiers
first and trained to deploy as part of the
Air Assault Task Force (AATF), which is

relay at the inter-services swimming
championship and finished fourth in
the inter-services cycling road race.
Pte Preston, who has been in the
Army for 18 months, said: “I’m very
proud to be recognised, both by the
Army and locally in Colchester. It’s great
to be able to balance being both an
athlete and a soldier, because I get time
off to train and race but when I’m at
work I get treated no differently to any
other soldier. For me it’s as important
for the Regiment to be recognised
T
he Colchester-based paratroopers they’re fit boys and they give it their all.” maintained by 16 Air Assault Brigade
defeated 4th Battalion The Rifles 3 PARA has a proud tradition of success to be ready for operations anywhere
by a thumping majority of eight in the ring, having won the Army boxing in the world at short notice.
bouts to one in the quarter-
final of the Army Major Units Boxing
Championship. A vocal crowd at Tuesday’s
(10th February) contest, held at the Budd
VC Gymnasium, saw 3 PARA’s boxers chalk
up four knockouts in their eight victories.
Second Lieutenant Alex Lewis, 26 from
Poole, who won his middleweight bout for
3 PARA, said: “I was quite nervous, but
when you pull on that 3 PARA strip and

Double
because of the support I am given.”
Pte Preston, a former pupil of
Mackie Academy, is aiming to break
into the British team next season and
you’ve got the whole battalion behind you
it does genuinely pick you up. You’re not
just boxing for yourself, you’re
boxing for everyone around

Recognition
compete on the European circuit.
She said: “I’ve been swimming
competitively since I was six and started
to get interested in triathlon when I was
you. All the guys performed
well and we’re really happy
with that as a team.”

for Sporting
13. I love triathlon because of the variety.
With three disciplines there’s always
something different to do in training so

Soldier
An Army medic has received
double recognition for her sporting
prowess in the space of a week.
Pte Preston, 21 from Stonehaven in
Aberdeenshire, is a combat medical technician
with Colchester-based 16 Medical Regiment.
She collected the Colchester award from Cllr
you never get bored and you can always
break it up into the individual events.
“I build my training around work and
I’m usually up at half five every morning
to train. I’ll swim every morning and
do two track running, four bike and
three gym sessions across the week,
with a long run at the weekend.”
Lieutenant Colonel Philip McNee,
Commanding Officer of 16 Med Regt, said:
“As a Regiment we are immensely proud

P
rivate Kimberley Preston - who
competes for the Army in triathlon,
swimming and cycling - has been
named runner-up in the rising star
category at the Army Sports Awards and
Female Sports Personality of the Year
in the 2014 Sport Colchester Awards.
John Elliott, the Mayor of Colchester, at the
town’s Weston Homes Community Stadium on
Monday (24th November), before attending
the Army Sports Awards at the Guildhall in
London on Thursday (27th November).
The two awards cap a successful sporting
year for Pte Preston. In the triathlon she
of Private Preston and her achievements
in the triathlon deserve the recognition
they have received. The commitment
she displays to her sport, achieved at no
detriment to her role as a combat medical
technician, is an example to all soldiers of
what they can achieve as individuals.”

40 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015 THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 41
 SPORT
3AAC Regimental
Ski Team
2014/15
During Winter 14/15, the Regiment was extremely fortunate to send six
individuals, making up the 3AAC Ski Team, to the annual Army Air Corps
and Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Ski Championships in Verbier, Switzerland.
Words By: Capt Blackmore
T
his represented a terrific
opportunity to participate in an
Exercise that has been running
in its current format for over
30 years. Representative teams from
across the AAC and RAC travelled to
Switzerland to conduct an intense period
of alpine ski training under the expert
direction of the Swiss Ski School. This
culminated in nine days of competition
during which all team members were put
42 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
through their paces in the four component
disciplines that must be mastered as an
alpine skier: Slalom, Giant Slalom (GS), Super
G, and the infamous Downhill. For a lucky
few there was the opportunity to advance
further on to the Divisional Championships
that took place in Serre Chevalier, France.
This is a natural progression that brings
together additional teams from across the
wider Army, thus creating an ever increasing
competitive atmosphere in which some thrive
and some come up short. Ski racing is as
much a test of the mind as it is of the body!
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
This year’s team was made up of a breadth
of experience. It is perhaps misunderstood that
racers should already be competent skiers.
Becoming a part of the team is a unique and
incredible opportunity to start as a complete
novice and through first class tuition and,
perhaps more importantly, a minimum of six
back-to-back weeks on the slopes, become
a very proficient skier; better even than
someone who has skied regularly throughout
their life. Airtpr Hughes (663 Sqn, 3 Regt AAC)
marginally missed out on the coveted “Best
Novice” award by displaying a natural aptitude
on the mountain through embracing and
completely committing to the competition.
The team took over an excellent little chalet
in the heart of Verbier; a huge privilege in
itself. Equipped with a fully kitted out kitchen,
everyone got stuck into putting food on
to the table. The team ethos and cohesion
necessitated inclusive contributions and there
was no room to hide from the kitchen! There
was a noticeable improvement in the quality
of the meal served as time went by as the
daily team chef perfected his signature dish.
Lessons took place daily between 0830-
1630hrs with all skiers split into ability level
groups. This also cleverly blended the teams
together and encouraged all to make some
new mates and find out a little more about
the varied jobs everyone was employed in
back in the UK. Inter Regimental rivalry and
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banter proved to be excellent ice
breakers and the Swiss instructors
are well versed with our unique
military humour having taught the
British Army for many years.
On top of the formidable skiing
routine, the Exercise is also very
social. Fortunately, Verbier offers an
excellent selection of venues and a
superb atmosphere. Additionally,
each unit was tasked with organising
the weekly Exercise party. This
usually involved a themed fancy
dress occasion with Regimental
identity as the main effort, in keeping
with the competitive nature of the
Exercise and promoting the strong
pride felt by the 3 AAC contingent.
With a largely inexperienced team,
this year 3AAC focussed on building
experience for future competitions.
As such the results were not the most
competitive in either the AAC and
RAC Championship or the Divisionals.
That said, the foundations for future
success were firmly laid, both on
and off the mountain. The team all
thoroughly enjoyed the Exercise.
Competition for places next year will
be high as all the participants not
only saw the huge benefit of testing
themselves against the demand of
alpine skiing, but are also hungry to
go back for another shot at the title. It
was a great bonding experience that
was full throttle in every respect. The
Team firmly embraced the work hard,
play hard mentality and it was a very
rewarding trip. Standing in the start
gate at the top of the Downhill dressed
in lycra alone, strapped to 215cm skis,
with your mind as the only limiting
factor is a, sobering yet, exhilarating
experience. Those that like the sound
of it or question the challenge should
make every effort to sign up next
year and judge for themselves!
Future
Hot Shot
for Army Air Corps Clay Target Shooting
Late last year I was offered the opportunity to try
my hand at clay pigeon shooting by taking part in
the AAC Clay Target Shooting competition.
Words By: LCpl Mohammed Moolkeea
I
was initially apprehensive as this form
of shooting was completely alien to
me. Being only an average rifle shot
at best, I had never fired a shotgun
before but I decided to give it a try.
Aldergrove is lucky to have Capt
Adamson who is a qualified coach and
clay target shooting instructor. Prior to
attending the competition in January,
he explained the principles of how to
shoot moving targets as well as the basic
outline of the sport and competition.
A subsequent day spent at the local
shooting ground put the theory into
practice and my confidence grew. All of
the basics were covered and though my
hit rate was not very high I was improving.
The one to one coaching accounted for
my one successful hit out of 30 targets
- I must add that it was a good hit!
THE COMPETITION
And so it came to the competition, I was
slightly anxious as I was expecting a very
high standard from my fellow competitors.
That said, even as a complete novice, I knew
Images: © ppart and ayzek, www.shutterstock.com
I had it in me to hit at least one clay! The two
day competition that took place between
the 14th and 15th January at Bramley Clay
Pigeon Shooting Club. We were presented
with 150 targets spread over the two
days. Day one was a practice day during
which we shot at 50 clays whilst coaches
tried to iron out any faults in shooting
style, stance, gun fit and technique. It was
a lot to take in, but I immediately felt at
ease due to the professionalism of the
coaches, Capt Cherry and Maj Vallance.
The second day was the actual competition
and though my nerves hadn’t vanished
completely, my confidence had grown.
The course was over ten stands where
a number of targets were presented
simultaneously and on report. My final
tally was 26/100 birds which I am told is
an excellent score for a beginner. Overall,
it was a fantastic experience and I had
an amazing time. I look forward to future
training and coaching to improve my scores
in the hope of progressing further in clay
target shooting. The sport accommodates
all levels, so even as a complete novice
going straight into a competition I was
able to partake fully and compete.
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 43
 SPORT
U’s Sign
Armed
Forces
Corporate
Covenant
Colchester United have shown
their support to the town’s military
community by signing the Armed
Forces’ Corporate Covenant.
T
he U’s welcomed Colonel Gary
Wilkinson CBE, the Commander
of Colchester Garrison, to
the match against Crawley
Town (Saturday 14th March) to sign the
document with club director Kevin Bull.
In a show of support to the
town’s armed forces, Colchester
United and their Football in the
Community programme will:-  Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund,
• continue to offer a Forces
discount for match tickets to
current serving personnel and
those with a discharge letter  to further strengthen those links and work
• work with local regiments to put
on activities and events to make
soldiers and their families deployed
in the town welcome as an integral
part of their new community
• make both serving and
former soldiers aware of
employment opportunities at
the club where relevant. 
To mark the signing, soldiers from the
town’s 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3rd
Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment,
the Army Reserve infantry unit that
recruits from Essex, were at the Weston
Homes Community Stadium with some
of their vehicles and equipment.
U’s General Manager Tim Waddington
said: “We are hugely proud of the armed
44 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
Serving soldiers have often adopted
Colchester United as their team whilst
deployed locally and, by signing the
Corporate Covenant, the club are hoping
to further strengthen those links and work
closely with the Army in the coming years.
Colchester United Manager Tim Waddington
forces based in Colchester, and the club
have a long standing association with the
regiments who call the town their home.
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
“Serving soldiers have often adopted
Colchester United as their team whilst
deployed locally and, by signing the
Corporate Covenant, the club are hoping
closely with the Army in the coming years.”
The U’s are only the third Football
League club to sign up to the corporate
covenant. It is hoped that other teams
will follow the Essex side’s lead and
work closely with the armed forces,
their families and veterans.
Colonel Gary Wilkinson CBE,
Commander of Colchester Garrison, said:
“The Army and Colchester United FC are
both important institutions in Colchester
that provide an opportunity for the
town’s military and civilian communities
to mix through a shared love of sport.
“By signing the corporate covenant, we
have formalised the existing supportive
relationship there is between Colchester
United and the Army in Colchester.
I look forward to continuing to work
together for the benefit of all.”
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
CHARITY
Pictured: Cheque Presentation
to Clare Scherer, Royal Navy and
Royal Marines Children’s Fund.
Junglies Dig Deep
Engineers and aircrew from 845 Naval Air Squadron have raised
£625 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund. In
a presentation at RNAS Yeovilton, the cheque was handed to
Clare Scherer, the Assistant Director of the Children’s Fund.
Image: © J and S Photography, www.shutterstock.com
Words By: Kerry Randall Presenting the cheque to the Royal
T
he Children’s Fund was set up CPO ‘Larry’ Lambert said, “The night was
over 100 years ago, originally a great success and enjoyed by all. I am
supporting orphanages, it very grateful to all the companies that
now supports over 2,000 very kindly donated the fantastic prizes,
children a year with needs ranging from and would like to thank all members
bereavement to illness and disabilities. of the Squadron for their generous
The Fund provides specialist equipment, donations to this worthy cause.”
respite care and an emergency grant
scheme for children of RN personnel.
Clare Scherer explained, “Every penny
raised makes a real difference to the lives
of the children who have a parent who
has been fighting for their country and
supporting us and all the money raised
goes direct to the children because our
investments cover all admin costs.
Thank you so much to Larry
Lambert and the whole squadron
for raising this money for us, we are
very grateful for their support.”
The Squadron held a raffle in order
to raise money for the Children’s Fund,
with prizes donated from generous
companies across the country.
ISSUE 1, 2015 / LZDZMAGAZINE 45
 SPORT
5 AAC
Cross
Country
5 Regiment Army Air
Corps remain focused on
competing in Cross Country.
Recently eight members
of the Regiment took part
in the Cyprus International
four Day Challenge.
T
he four day Challenge is
a staged running event,
covering a distance slightly
longer than a marathon
with mountain running, trail running
& cross country running. The event
successfully combines a 6km time
trial, 11km mountain trail, multi-
terrain half marathon and a 10km
city run over four days. The event
proved to be a huge success, out of
the 25 teams that took part, 5 AAC
finished a respectable 3rd position.
5 AAC have recently finished
2nd overall Major unit in the
Northern Ireland Cross Country
team championships and are also
on course to finish 2nd major
unit in the Northern Ireland
Cross County League.
46 LZDZ MAGAZINE / ISSUE 1, 2015
P a r a t r o o p e r s Ta k e o n
Bobsleigh
Challenge
Paratroopers are preparing
for the winter sports season
with a brand new bobsleigh.
S
oldiers from Colchester-based
3rd Battalion The Parachute
Regiment are competing at the
Army Bobsleigh Championships
in La Plange in France in January. To
help them on their way, the team has
received a new competition bobsleigh
funded by Active Essex and security
and logistics firm Wilson James.
3 PARA has a good history in the
competition, dominating the novice category
in the 2012/2013 season by winning first,
second and third and fourth place. They are
hoping for a repeat of this success in the
New Year with their new equipment and new
team members straight from basic training.
Private William Summers, 21 from York,
is one of the team’s newest members. He
said: “When I joined the battalion in July
I never thought in my wildest dreams that
I’d be sitting in a bobsleigh going down an
ice track at 75mph. We train eight times a
week, doing a lot of weight lifting and also
sprinting, and have just come back from
a week in Austria where we have been
learning to drive the sleds, it was mega.”
Gary Sullivan OBE, the chairman of
both Wilson James and Active Essex, said:
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
“Active Essex is an organisation that’s part
funded by Sport England and part funded
by Essex County Council. We promote
people having an active lifestyle including
everything from PE in school right the
way through to elite athlete development.
We facilitate people’s involvement
Capability Begins
in sport right across the county.”
Mr Sullivan, who served with The
Parachute Regiment in the 1980s, said: “You
never stop being a paratrooper, being back
here is like being back in the family for me.
With Training…
I went to see the team training last year
and became hooked on the sport. It’s great
to be able to support 3 PARA’s bobsleigh
team. The bobsleigh has got a Parachute
Regiment capbadge on it so no-one will
Aviation Training International Limited (ATIL) is a 50:50 joint venture
have any doubts about who’s driving it!”
Private Ivan Londal, 24, from Durban
between AgustaWestland Limited and The Boeing Company.
in South Africa, said “It’s brilliant to have
this new sled, it’s far more advanced than It was formed in 1998 as a special purpose vehicle to deliver
the old ones that we have been using. It the Attack Helicopter Training Service contract for the UK Army.
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this year. Two years ago, even though we
were all novices, we were really successful.
Now we are even more focussed and
ATIL holds a unique position as a training organisation in being able
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January, we have the Army Championships Groundcrew and Maintenance training. A range of equipment is
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of that, some of us will be selected for aircraft of the complexity of the Apache.
the Army team to take part in the inter-
services championships in March.“
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Aviation Training International Limited
Coldharbour Business Park,
Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4JW
Tel: 01935 810300
Email: enquiries@atil.co.uk
Web: www.atil.co.uk