13-Feb-2023Source: Royal Air Force
Our Defence Engagement programme got off to a flying start recently with a visit from the Lebanese Armed Forces to the Puma Force at RAF Benson. Aircrew and engineers from the Lebanon Armed Forces, who also fly Puma helicopters, were hosted by their counterparts on 33 Squadron to share experiences of operating and engineering practices. ... Read more
10-Feb-2023Source: Royal Air Force
Puma helicopters from RAF Benson are currently conducting environmental training in Kenya while also supporting the British Army. Located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, over 80 personnel are working in a unique and challenging environment to conduct a variety of environmental training. Often encountering temperatures of up to 35 degrees and heavy thunderstorms, the aircrew,... Read more
28-Oct-2022Source: Heli-One
Heli-One, a leading provider of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is happy to announce the presentation of the Award for Engineering Excellence, donated by Heli-One, from the UK Royal Air Force to Sergeant Burns during the annual Station Awards Reception at RAF Benson. The award was won by Sgt Burns for his... Read more
11-Oct-2022Source: Thames Valley Air Ambulance
Our new helicopter, G-TVLY, has final been unveiled to the public. The Airbus135 will become our air ambulance when we take on our air operations this month. It is kitted out with the same lifesaving equipment as our former helicopter and will fly from our operations base at RAF Benson. We unveiled the helicopter... Read more
10-Aug-2022
Alongside CH-47F Chinooks and UH-60 Blackhawks from the United States and NH90s from Finland, the helicopters conducted mixed formation training to enable multi-aircraft aviation support to the Heli-borne Assault Force. VIGILANT FOX was a four-day validation exercise for C Company, 2 RIFLES, Finnish Karelian Brigade and the Jaeger Guard Regiment. For UK Chinooks, the... Read more
6-May-2022Source: Royal Air Force Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the legendary RAF Chinook HC6A ‘Bravo November’ helicopter for display at our Cosford site in Shropshire. The newest addition to the Museum’s collection has a distinguished career within the Royal Air Force. It was one of the original 30 Chinooks ordered by the... Read more
3-Dec-2021Source: Royal Air Force
A formation flight of specially painted Chinook and Puma helicopter has taken place to mark over 90 years of combined service. The occasion saw the aircraft make a commemorative flight over a number of locations in the South of England displaying their bespoke anniversary tail art. The two uniquely painted airframes celebrated their individual anniversaries... Read more
6-Jul-2021Source: Royal Air Force
On 29 January 1971, the first to Royal Air Force Puma helicopters were delivered into service. To commemorate 50 years of service, Puma HC Mk2 XW224 has been given a unique new paint scheme. Today it flew its maiden flight in its new colours. The aircraft scheme is similar to that which the first Puma... Read more
30-Jun-2021Source: Royal Air Force
The RAF Puma detachment serving in Afghanistan in support of the NATO Resolute Support Mission since March 2015 has now returned to RAF Benson, as part of the withdrawal of NATO forces from the country. The three Puma helicopters and around 50 personnel from 33 Squadron and 230 Squadron based at Benson Joint Helicopter Command... Read more
17-Mar-2021Source: Royal Air Force
A new British National Component Commander has taken command of the RAF Chinook detachment serving in Mali in support of the French Counter Insurgency Operation. Commander Colin Kiernan of the Royal Navy has taken over from Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brining of the Army Air Corps during a handover ceremony at Gao Airbase in Mali, West... Read more
8-Feb-2021Source: UK Government
Known as ‘drop-ins,’ sustainable fuel sources include hydrogenated fats and oils, wood waste, alcohols, sugars, household waste, biomass and algae. Aircraft including F-35s, Typhoons and Wildcat helicopters currently use conventional fuel, but could use up to 50 per cent sustainable sources in the future, after MOD’s changed aviation fuel standards came into effect in November... Read more
16-Dec-2020Source: Royal Air Force
RAF Odiham Station Workshops have been heavily involved in the recent Service Modification work to produce a solution to the ongoing problem of Articles Falling Off Aircraft (AFOA) relating to the Aft MRH Droop Stop Shrouds on Boeing CH47 Chinook Helicopters. The Boeing CH47 Chinook aircraft is fitted with droop stops on the Aft main... Read more
30-Oct-2020Source: Royal Air Force
The British military Tri-Service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) is leading the UK’s support to the French Counter Insurgency Operations in West Africa by conducting heavy lift helicopter operations. The deployment of Royal Air Force CH 47 Chinooks began in 2018 and it has been JHC that has sustained this operation for two years now by... Read more
17-Jun-2020Source: UK Government
3 RAF Puma helicopters deployed to Kinloss Barracks to support the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) in the coronavirus fight are heading back to their Oxfordshire base today, nearly 3 months after being stood up in support COVID activity in Scotland. The aircraft and crews from RAF Benson had responded to an urgent request in March... Read more
4-Jun-2020Source: Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation, the global business aviation service provider, together with Atkins, has been reappointed to continue delivering Military Airworthiness Reviews (MARs) to the Royal Air Force’s HQ Air Command (HQ Air) and The British Army’s Joint Helicopter Command (JHC). Airworthiness regulations were issued by The Military Aviation Authority in 2013, requiring all aircraft on the... Read more
28-May-2020Source: Royal Air Force
Gp Capt Chris Mullen, the Station Commander and Commandant of No. 1 Flying Training School was on the flight line to welcome a brand-new Jupiter (Airbus H145) helicopter. This new addition to the fleet will shortly be taking to the skies, once final checks and transfer to the military register are completed, to deliver world-leading... Read more
19-May-2020Source: Royal Air Force
A Royal Air Force squadron with a long and proud history has re-formed at RAF Benson as the Operational Evaluation Unit for the Joint Helicopter Command. Synonymous with search and rescue, 22 Squadron will provide operational testing and evaluation for all the Joint Helicopter Command helicopter types, including Chinook, Puma, Apache and Wildcat. Formerly the... Read more
8-May-2020Source: UK Department of Transport
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had on 7th May 2020 announced the former head of the Royal Air Force, Sir Stephen Hillier, as his preferred candidate to become the new Chair of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Following an open competition, Sir Stephen was selected by the Transport Secretary as the candidate best suited to lead... Read more
15-Apr-2020Source: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) are amongst the first Air Ambulance services to collaborate with the Royal Air Force (RAF) to carry critically ill patients from more remote areas to major trauma centres with increased intensive care capacity. On Tuesday 7th April the Charity undertook the first time-critical transfer of a patient... Read more
6-Apr-2020Source: Royal Air Force
RAF Puma helicopters based at Kinloss Barracks in Moray have been supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service with the trials of the EpiShuttle medical isolation and transportation system as part of the Scottish Government’s coronavirus response. The Scottish Ambulance Service has trialled the use of the EpiShuttle to enable the safe and swift transportation of patients... Read more
9-Mar-2020Source: Royal Air Force
A state-of-the-art training facility has been formally named today at RAF Shawbury by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Wigston. The building was named in honour of The Duke of Cambridge, who completed advanced flying training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School and was awarded his aircrew flying badge in January 2010.... Read more
11-Sep-2019Source: Royal Air Force
RAF Odiham has welcomed back former OC 27 Sqn, Gp Capt Nick Knight as the new Station Commander succeeding Gp Capt Lee Turner after 2 years at the helm of this incredibly busy Station. Gp Capt Knight has a vast experience of the Support Helicopter force, commissioning into the British Army in 1996 he flew... Read more
2-Sep-2019Source: Royal Air Force
ON 23 August 2019, a total of 22 tri-Service aircrew graduated from the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury. The parade celebrated both the graduation of the first 13 pilots to complete their training within the Rotary Wing UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) as well as the graduation of 9 helicopter Rearcrew.... Read more
6-May-2019Source: Peli UK
Peli UK foam specialists have designed a bespoke packaging solution for a Chinook Helicopter torque maintenance kit which is now in service at RAF Odiham. The kit had previously been housed in a special to type container. This had a high centre of gravity causing them to topple over when handled. They were not man... Read more
28-May-2018Source: Leonardo
Guto Bebb MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, announced the delivery of the first AW101 Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopter during a ceremony held at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton yesterday. The event marks a major milestone for Leonardo’s Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) contract to convert 25 former Royal Air Force Merlin helicopters to fully marinised... Read more
28-May-2018Source: hh60g-6
The 48th Fighter Wing bid farewell to the 56th Rescue Squadron during a ceremony at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, May 15, 2018. The event signals the near-completion of the 56th and 57th RQS relocation to Aviano Air Base, Italy, which was announced in November 2015.The relocation to Aviano Air Base will provide strategic combat... Read more
3-Jan-2018Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have signed a Follow-on Support Arrangement contract to provide support to the Royal Air Force Puma 2 fleet over the planned service life of the aircraft. The contract, worth an initial £100 million, is the first of two pricing periods which will see Airbus Helicopters provide... Read more
31-Oct-2017Source: Serco
Serco has been awarded an eight-year extension to its contract with leading simulation technology specialist CAE to deliver helicopter pilot training and provide facilities management services for the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) at RAF Benson. The state-of-the-art simulated training facility is used to train Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopter aircrew,... Read more
27-Oct-2017Source: The Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence has announced an over £90 million investment in a world-leading helicopter simulation centre to help train the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopter pilots of the future. The simulators put pilots through their paces, replicating extreme real-life scenarios, from flying in blizzards or under enemy fire to dealing with power failures... Read more
7-Aug-2017Source: EDA
The European Defence Agency’s 5th Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC), which ran over several weeks at Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Linton-on-Ouse (North Yorkshire, UK) and Arvidsjaur Airfield in Lapland (Sweden), was successfully completed in July. The course began in May with a four-week classroom phase, which included simulator exercises at Linton-on-Ouse, followed by... Read more
1-Aug-2017Source: HeliHub.com
The UK is upgrading their Royal Air Force’s Boeing Chinook HC4 helicopters. The fleet will be brought to the new HC6 standard, reports IHS Jane’s. The 38 helicopters are being given Boeing Digital Automatic Flight Control Systems, replacing their analogue systems. This process is planned to take up to 12 months. They also are adding... Read more
10-Jul-2017Source: HeliHub.com
The UK Ministry of Defence and Leonardo signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement for the work on future AW149 production. They had hoped the AW149 would be the replacement for the Royal Air Force’s Airbus Puma HC2 fleet, which will retire in 2025, reports Flight Global. Managing Director, Daniele Romiti, has said that should the agreement... Read more
25-May-2017Source: Royal Air Force
Personnel from Royal Air Force Shawbury welcomed their new Station Commander, Group Captain R S (Chuck) Norris who officially took command of RAF Shawbury on Friday 12th May 2017. Group Captain Norris joined the Royal Air Force in 1988. As a Support Helicopter pilot, he has completed tours on the Wessex and Chinook in Hong... Read more
23-May-2017Source: HeliHub.com
Defence officials and commanders of the British Army are underway with plans to relocate their attack helicopter forces. Currently the forces are in East Anglia and they hope to move them to a newer base that is closer to the Salisbury Plain training centre. Included in this plan is to downsize of the number of... Read more
24-Apr-2017Source: East Anglian Air AmbulanceX
Gerry Hermer, one of East Anglian Air Ambulance’s (EAAA) founding members, and in recent years the aviation consultant for EAAA, today retires from his role. Gerry has won many awards in his career including an Air Force Cross for his courageous rescue mission whilst he was in the Royal Air Force. He plans to travel... Read more
28-Mar-2017Source: EDA
The 5th in the series of Helicopter Tactics Instructors Courses (HTIC) to be ran by EDA on behalf of Member States will kick off on 15 May 2017 at Royal Air Force (RAF) Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. The HTIC has grown significantly over the four previous courses both in terms of scope and... Read more
10-Aug-2016Source: HeliHub.com
A local news outlet in Portsmouth is reporting that 60 jobs at the local Vector Aerospace facility at Fleetlands are at risk after the company lost s contract. Portsmouth News says Vector had bid for the Digital Automatic Flight Control System upgrade programme for the Royal Air Force’s Chinook helicopter fleet. Steve Burnell from Boeing Defence... Read more
11-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Royal Air Force has donated a Sea King (Sikorsky S61 built in UK under licence) to the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust. The aircraft is serialled XZ593. RAF Commodore Darren Bone said: “For over a generation the Sea King has been a reassuring sight across the Falkland Islands. It has gone to the... Read more
6-Apr-2016Source: CAE
The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a contract amendment to CAE to upgrade two of the CH-47 Chinook dynamic mission simulators at CAE’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) at RAF Benson. CAE will install the digital automatic flying control system (DAFCS) in each of the simulators to ensure concurrency with... Read more
22-Feb-2016Source: RAF
Wednesday 17th February marked a significant milestone for the Puma Force as they reached a staggering 10,000 flying hours for the Puma 2. The extensively upgraded helicopter declared Initial Operating Capability in February 2015 and just over three weeks later deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation TORAL; the ongoing NATO training and support mission.... Read more
7-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Boeing has confirmed delivery of the 14th Mk.6 Chinook to the UK’s Royal Air Force, taking its fleet to 60 aircraft. The event also coincided with the 35th anniversary of Chinook operations for the UK. “Since they were introduced into service in 1980, our Chinook fleet has played an integral supporting role for British forces and... Read more
9-Nov-2015Source: Bristow
Bristow winchman Duncan Tripp has been recognized as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his service to the Royal Air Force (RAF). Tripp served as winchman paramedic based at RAF Lossiemouth with 202 Squadron for 18 years before transitioning to Bristow’s UK SAR base at Inverness in April... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: Chinooks
The first Chinook helicopters and around 150 personnel moved to RAF Benson on Wednesday as the Chinook Operational Conversion Flight joined their Puma colleagues. The Chinook Operational Conversion Flight, which will eventually see 6 Chinook aircraft based at RAF Benson, joined the Puma Operational Conversion Flight to form the combined Puma and Chinook Operational Conversion... Read more
23-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Previously unannounced by AgustaWestland, it would appear that the Royal Air Force in the UK are soon to receive an AW109SP GrandNew. In a sneak photo here, we can see the full standard 32 Squadron colour scheme including RAF roundels, the British flag on the tail and the squadron crest just below the cabin windows.... Read more
11-Oct-2015
Two UK RAF servicemen, two US servicemen and one French civilian contractor died in the crash after reportedly striking the cable of a tethered surveillance balloon. The two British fatalitites were named as Flight Lieutenant Geraint Roberts and Flight Lieutenant Alan Scott, while the American pair were named as Major Phyllis Pelky and Master Sgt.... Read more
4-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The Royal Air Force bowed out from it’s Search And Rescue role in the UK on Sunday 4th October, as the last base stood down – RAF Chivenor, it confirmed on Twitter. Although planned for 30 September, a last minute hitch meant that Bristow Helicopters were not able to start operations until Sunday, with their... Read more
1-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
RAF Boulmer, a long-established SAR base in the north-east of the UK, has closed that role as the SAR responsibility for the UK is gradually handed over to Bristow Helicopters. As part of the phased plan to retire Royal Navy and Royal Air Force helicopters, 202 Squadron retired its two yellow Sea Kings with a... Read more
5-Aug-2015Source: Selex ES
Selex ES has won a contract worth around €27M (£19M) to provide an ongoing radar warning capability for the UK Royal Air Force’s fleet of Puma helicopters. The company was selected by the UK Ministry of Defence to provide its SG200-D Radar Warning Receiver (SG200-D RWR). SG200-D is a UK-specific product from the family of... Read more
8-Jun-2015
Emergency landing at Manchester Airport and engineer called.... Read more
20-May-2015Source: Balkan Insight
Airbus has announced it intends to build helicopters at a new plant at Ghimbav, close to the central Romanian city of Brasov, in an investment worth about 40 million euro. See Full Story... Read more
19-May-2015Source: grough
Members of a Snowdonia mountain rescue team shared a formal dinner with RAF colleagues – on top of a 3,000ft peak. See Full Story... Read more
8-May-2015Source: Bristow
The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy will be presented at the Air League’s Annual Awards Ceremony at St James Palace, on Tuesday 05th May 2015 by HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. Sponsored by Bristow Helicopters Ltd and Breitling UK, the Trophy has been established to further the memory of Mr Billy Deacon who was... Read more
21-Apr-2015Source: North Wales Chronicle
The rescue happened at night in the Ogwen Valley of Snowdonia, when a young London woman with an ankle injury was winched aboard and flown to hospital at Bangor. See Full Story... Read more
19-Apr-2015
Chinook dropped part of its underslung load in farm field. Chinook was flying as part of the Joint Warrior exercise... Read more
17-Apr-2015Source: Bristow
Bristow Group today announced that Carl Dixon has joined Bristow as Director, Government Portfolio. Dixon will lead Bristow’s activity to build its global search and rescue (SAR) business, engaging with governments and public sector institutions around the world. Dixon has a military background; as Air-Vice Marshal, he served as Commander of the UK Joint Helicopter... Read more
24-Mar-2015Source: BBC
The cancellation of a party marking the retirement of Sea King helicopters has been met with anger. See Full Story... Read more
23-Mar-2015Source: RAF
On a dark winter’s night, illuminated by runway lights, the first Puma HC Mark2 aircraft was loaded on to a single C17 transport aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for the 3,608 mile journey to Kabul. Its departure came just days before the MOD announced that the new Puma, and the RAF’s latest version... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: RCAF
Colonel Patrick MacNamara, commanding officer of 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, invested the squadron’s new honorary colonel in a December 8, 2014, ceremony in Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Honorary Colonel Michael Sudul stepped into the position vacated by outgoing Honorary Colonel Jeffrey Morris, who served since 2009. Colonel Lise Bourgon, 12 Wing’s commander, presided over the... Read more
3-Feb-2015Source: LBHA
•The safety of all civilian aircraft using government owned military aerodromes is the sole responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority not the Military Aviation Authority or MOD. •The CAA is now responsible for deciding if RAF Northolt is safe for use by civil aircraft •An assessment by the CAA is required and this may require... Read more
16-Jan-2015Source: North Devon Gazette
The transfer of Chivenor’s search and rescue helicopter service to Wales has been postponed, the Gazette understands. See Full Story... Read more
15-Jan-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Once a fully operational RAF Station, Wattisham is now only home to a search and rescue helicopter unit, ‘B’ Flight of No 22 Squadron, equipped with 2 Sea king HAR3A helicopters. The final bell is now being prepared for this operation, as it has been announced the Sea Kings will cease operations on 1st July.... Read more
2-Oct-2014Source: RAF
30th September marked the end of an era for the Royal Air Force with the official handover of the Merlin to the Royal Navy and the disbandment of 78 Squadron in a formal ceremony at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. The formal Royal parade marked the next stage in the transition of the Merlin helicopter from... Read more
15-Jul-2014Source: General Dynamics
General Dynamics UK, in partnership with AgustaWestland, has commenced development work to modify its Tactical Processing System for integration into the AW101 Merlin Mk4. This development work is part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), a contract awarded to AgustaWestland in January 2014 to convert 25 AW101 Merlin helicopters for maritime operations. It will... Read more
9-Jul-2014Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, announced today that its Project Julius Team, responsible for the embodiment of the avionics upgrade to the UK MOD’s fleet of 46 Chinook aircraft, has obtained supplier ‘Gold’ status for their First Time Quality (FTQ). This is an... Read more
17-Jun-2014Source: Royal Air Force
The first of the RAF’s fourteen new Chinook helicopters have been unveiled today by the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, following its entry into service on time. During a visit to RAF Odiham in Hampshire, the home of the Chinook force, Philip Hammond also announced a new £115 million agreement with Boeing Defence UK to maintain... Read more
29-May-2014Source: RAF
Captain Paul Shawcross Royal Navy handed over command of the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury this week to Colonel Julian Facer. Colonel Facer was commissioned into the Army Air Corps (AAC) in 1991 and is an experienced Apache Attack Helicopter pilot. His recently commanded 7 Training Regiment (AAC) at Middle Wallop, where... Read more
31-Mar-2014Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services recently supported the characterisation trials of the Radar Warning Receiver on the Puma Mk 2 at its Fleetlands site in Gosport, Hampshire. Working alongside Airbus Helicopters and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the company hosted two separate weeks... Read more
24-Mar-2014Source: Royal Air Force
THE head of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) joined the RAF’s training chief at RAF Valley recently to view the world-leading technology that is helping to shape the fighter pilots of the future. Major General Finn Kristian Hannestad, Inspector General of the RNoAF and Air Vice-Marshal Mike Lloyd, Air Officer Commanding 22 (Training) Group... Read more
8-Dec-2013
Royal Air Force Chinook made emergency landing while en route from Amman (Jordan) to Akrotiri (Cyprus). Some reports suggest location is in or near a minefield... Read more
26-Nov-2013Source: RAF
Pictures released today show crews from 33 and 230 Squadrons carrying out training flights of the upgraded aircraft from their base at RAF Benson in Oxford. The multi million pound upgrade means that the helicopters benefit from new engines which give them 35 per cent more power and improved fuel efficiency to allow them to... Read more
29-Oct-2013Source: Selex ES
Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a contract worth €8.1M (£6.8M) from the UK Ministry of Defence to supply further Titan 385ES-HD electro-optic turrets for the Royal Air Force’s fleet of CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. The contract follows the successful delivery of 45 Titan turrets procured under previous contracts and will see 15... Read more
4-Oct-2013Source: RAF
A Royal Air Force Chinook pilot who skilfully guided his helicopter through dense fog to try and save an Afghan soldier’s life has been awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air. Chinook Pilot Flt Lt Christopher Gent31-year-old Flight Lieutenant Chris Gent, of 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, was among 23 RAF personnel... Read more
27-Sep-2013Source: RAF
The RAF Merlin Force is celebrating its return from 10 years of continual operational deployments following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The RAF Merlins, which are based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire first deployed to Bosnia in 2003 and have since provided essential helicopter lift for land forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the first Merlin helicopters... Read more
20-Sep-2013
Precautionary landing after bird strike with a goose. 16 hours later it was flown to Lossiemouth for more detailed examination... Read more
