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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

Poppy Appeal
JHC troops sink
their teeth into
2016
Black
Alligator New Years
Honours &
Awards
JHSS
on the move Lessons Management
and Exploitation in JHC

A Closer Look, Aviation

Benson Reconnaissance Force
sporting superstars Northern Premier
announced League Football
Academy (Leek Town)

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
Capability Begins
With Training…
Aviation Training International Limited (ATIL) is a 50:50 joint venture
between AgustaWestland Limited and The Boeing Company.

It was formed in 1998 as a special purpose vehicle to deliver

the Attack Helicopter Training Service contract for the UK Army.
The contract was financed under a PFI arrangement.

ATIL holds a unique position as a training organisation in being able

to provide total synthetic training solutions in the areas of Aircrew,
Groundcrew and Maintenance training. A range of equipment is
employed to represent the sophisticated systems that reside within an
aircraft of the complexity of the Apache.

From weapons to avionics, each device allows students to familiarise

themselves with some of the most advanced technology in the world. The
equipment is based on full size aircraft systems and provides a high degree
of fidelity offering the necessary tactile and visual cues, greatly reducing the
need to use operational aircraft for training purposes. Constant investment
by the MoD and ATIL in technology insertions has ensured that the training
system remains one of the most up to date in the world.

Aviation Training International Limited

Coldharbour Business Park,
Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4JW
Tel: 01935 810300
Email: enquiries@atil.co.uk
Web: www.atil.co.uk
 CONTENTS

Contents Issue 4, 2016

COVER STORY
10 14
JHC troops sink their
teeth into Black Alligator............ 6

HONOURS & AWARDS

New Years
Honours and Awards.................. 5
Commander Joint Helicopter
Command Air Safety Awards.... 20

OPERATIONS
JHC troops sink their
10
teeth into Black Alligator .......... 6
JHSS on the move...................... 9
JHC reach their Maritime
Operations high water
mark on JEF(M).......................... 10
JHF3 HQ Assured during
Excercise WESSEX STORM....... 14

LESSONS CORNER
Lessons Management and
Exploitation in JHC................... 13
16
CAPABILITY
A closer Look, Aviation
Reconnaissance Force............... 16

PEOPLE
Past, present and future
launch 2016 Poppy Appeal
under a fall of petals.................. 21
Flag lowering ceremony
marks the end of MEDEVAC
operations in Kenya for
the AAC..................................... 22

SAFETY
JHC Safety Team....................... 24

SPORTS
Benson sporting
superstars announced............... 26
Northern Premier
League Football Academy
(Leek Town)................................ 27

EDITORIAL SUBMISSION DATE…

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While every care has been taken during the preparation of this magazine, Lance Publishing Limited cannot be held responsible for accuracy of the information herein or for any consequence
arising from it. Views Expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Royal Air Force or the Ministr y of Defence. All images © Crown Copyright unless other wise stated.

VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK LZDZ / ISSUE 4 2016 3

FOREWORD
Foreword
I would like to wish you,
your families and your loved
ones a Happy New Year.
T
his will be my last foreward as
Commander JHC and as I reflect
on my time in Command, it is your
hard work and efforts that have
been pivotal to the success of the JHC.
Together we have achieved so much and I
thank you all for your continued commitment
and support. Over the last 3 years the JHC
completed its long-term commitment to
Op HERRICK in Afghanistan and in relief,
the Puma Mk 2 made its first operational
deployment on Op TORAL. In terms of
Operational Command, in 2015 we said
goodbye to 16 Air Assault Brigade after 16
years and have more recently welcomed the
newly established Watchkeeper Force.
Our capabilities have improved and the
following upgrade programmes are now
delivering exciting possibilities: Chinook
Mks 4 and 6, Puma Mk 2, Wildcat and the
marinisation of Merlin Mk 3. We have seen
PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 FOR THE COVER STORY
JHC TROOPS SINK THEIR
TEETH INTO BLACK ALLIGATOR
L Z DZ M a g a z i n e i s a l s o o n l i n e a n d c a n b e f o u n d a t : w w w. l z d z o n l i n e . c o . u k
4 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ
MeettheTeam
EDITORIAL
Editor: Sqn Ldr Anna Burt
E: JHC-RPS-Media-SO2@mod.uk
T: 01264 381 178
–
SALES
Sales Manager: Laurence Rowe
E: laurence@lancepublishing.co.uk
T: 01536 526 678
–
DESIGNER
Designer: Rowena Wilson
E: rowena@lancepublishing.co.uk
T: 01536 526 673
–
PUBLISHER
Lance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor,
Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering,
Northants NN16 8NL
T: 01536 512 624
E: mike@lancepublishing.co.uk
W: www.lancepublishing.co.uk
retirements of the Lynx Mk 7 and more Company Registration No. 3253372
recently the Sea King Mk 4. Looking forward, –
the introduction of the Apache AH-64E PRINTER
model in 2019 is an exciting prospect for Lance Print Ltd, 29/30 Stapledon Road,
JHC. The AH64E model will see a step Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6TD
change in operational capability with T: 01733 390 564
improved weapons and sensors and also E: lanceprint@lanceprint.co.uk
the ability to connect with the battlefield W: www.lanceprint.co.uk
and integrate with other platforms. –
I continue to be impressed with the FURTHER INFORMATION
transition you have made from operating a W: w ww.mod.uk/defenceinternet/
sustained campaign to training for contingent aboutdefence/whatwedo/
operations. Future operations are likely to airsafetyandaviation/jhc
be Contested, Degraded and Operationally
Limited (CDO) and, as we build our forces
for Joint Force 25 (JF25), we must ensure
that deployability is at the forefront of our
minds when conducting training. I hope that
the Exercises planned for 2017 continue to
develop and test you so that the JHC is best
prepared for any future operations. I wish
you all the very best for the future.
Maj Gen Richard Felton CBE
Commander JHC
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
 NEW YEAR HONOURS & AWARDS

New Years
Honours
&
Awards
Congratulations to the
following JHC personnel
who were recognised in the
New Year Honours and Awards Award Rank First Name Surname Force
Army
Comd JHC Commendations
OBE Col Jason Etherington AHF
Rank Name Force
RAF
FS Widdison RAF Odiham
OBE Wg Cdr Nicholas Knight RAF Odiham
Cpl Buffey TSW
SAC Kirkpatrick TSW Army

SAC Smitten TSW MBE SSgt Andrew Harrison ARF

Lt RN Powell CHF RAF

CSgt Smith CHF MBE WO Francis Sinclair RAF Odiham

CSgt Stevens CHF MBE SAC Shayne Hadland RAF Benson

CPO Swash CHF CGS

Lt RN Nash CHF CGS Capt John Smith WKF
LH Pickett CHF CGS Maj Mark Hitch AHF
Lt Cdr Brierley CHF CFA
Lt Cdr Vaughan CHF CFA WO2 Benjamin Wilkins AHF
SSgt Ashdown AHF CFA WO2 Jason Rees AHF
Capt Hyland AHF CFA L/Maj Paul Dargavel ARF
Capt Isitt AHF CAS Com
WO1 Anthony AHF CAS Com Cpl Natalie Anderson RAF Benson
WO1 Webb ARF
DCom Ops
WO2 Wildblood ARF
DCom Ops FS Martin Wilkinson RAF Benson
SAC Perry ARF
DCom Ops Cpl Kevin Perry RAF Benson
FS Sharp RAF Benson
DCom Ops Sqn Ldr Stephen Davies RAF Benson
Sgt Cil RAF Benson
AOC Com
FS Clulow RAF Benson
AOC 2 Gp Com FS Jamie Hillman RAF Odiham
Comd JHC Team Commendations
AOC 2 Gp Com Sgt Lyndon Edwards RAF Benson
Team Ch Main Flt RAF Odiham
AOC 2 Gp Com Cpl Sean Wingrove RAF Odiham
Team Carpenters RAF Odiham
AOC 2 Gp Com Ms Maria Burriage RAF Odiham
Team Ch DSP RAF Odiham
AOC 2 Gp Com Mr Richard Crane RAF Odiham
Team Eng Auth Trans RAF Odiham
AOC 2 Gp Team Team PEd Flt RAF Benson
Team 7 REME Field Gun AHF
Comd JHC Commendations - HQ AOC 2 Gp Team Team SMSC RAF Odiham

Rank Name Dept AOC 22 (Trg) Gp Flt Lt Joel Babbage RAF Benson

Lt Col Marcus Brown JHC HQ AOC 22 (Trg) Gp Flt Lt Steven Mills RAF Benson

WO1 Grant Meekey S&A (Avn Stds) RAF MSM

Sqn Ldr Bob Higgins JHC HQ MSM WO Tracey Walker RAF Odiham

Sqn Ldr Chris Shone JHC HQ MSM MACR Robert Ruffles RAF Odiham
Mrs Nikki Franklin JHC HQ RN MSM
Mr Brian Bailey JHC HQ MSM WO Stuart Nanson CHF
GOC FTC Commendation Comd JFC Com
WO2 C Haigh WKF Gp Capt Gp Capt Lee Turner JHC HQ

VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 5

OPERATIONS

JHC troops sink their

teeth into Black Alligator They were supported by the
Written By: Flt Lt Rachel Potts Exercise Media Officer
Raiding Sqn from the Dutch
and Capt Arran Robertson-Cowley, Adjutant 4 Regt AAC
Marine Korps and tanks and
Photographs by: Cpl Rob Travis and SAC Nicholas
infantry from US Marines.
Egan, RAF Odiham and Cpl Pete Brown RLC.
The austere conditions
RAF Odiham Chinook helicopters crewed and supported provided by the Mojave
by 18(B)Sqn have recently returned from Exercise BLACK Desert tested both aircraft
ALLIGATOR at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre, and personnel alike. Det Cdr,
California; a huge all-terrain exercise area eight times larger than Sqn Ldr Jack Kyle, explained:
Salisbury Plain and the US Marines largest training area. “We faced challenging
environmental conditions with

A
longside two Apache
helicopter Sqns from
4 Regt AAC, 18(B)
Sqn worked together
with 40 Cdo Royal Marines to
collectively achieve their training
objectives and ultimately assure
40 Cdo as the Lead Cdo Group as
the move to take on Readiness.
The aviation elements were led
by Joint Helicopter Force One
(JHF1), allowing for focused joint
training between 4AAC and
18(B) Sqn now newly aligned
in their readiness cycles.
Both aircraft types were
heavily challenged in the
extreme environment and the
full range of the Royal Marines’
armoury including Viking and
Jackal armoured vehicles,
105mm field guns, mortars and
Javelin anti-tank missiles were
also put through their paces.
high temperatures during
the day, cold temperatures at
night and extremely low light
levels. In human terms this
tested us with heat stress and
fatigue, but also challenged
the aircraft with the increased
temperatures impacting aircraft

6 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS

performance at higher altitudes.”
Chefs, Ops Support Staff,
Survival Equipment Specialists,
Armourers, GEF, Suppliers and
Engineers from RAF Odiham,
plus personnel from the Joint
Helicopter Support Squadron
(JHSS) and Tactical Supply Wing
(TSW) all worked together to
provide vital support to the
training objectives of 18(B)
Sqn, 4 Regt AAC and 40 Cdo.
Heavy lift, Re-Supply,
Forward Air Refueling and
Troop Carry are all capabilities
that 18(B) Sqn delivered
throughout the Exercise.
In one scenario, 18(B) Sqn
provide Forward Air Refueling
Equipment to an isolated location
in austere conditions on the ‘front
line’. Ground crew from 664
Sqn, 4 Regt AAC, then work at
speed to ensure the refuel takes
place with great efficiency; the
less time spent on the ground
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
means the Apache returns on
task as soon as possible.
A second scenario sees a
bridge requiring relocation from
one position to another under
simulated contact in order to
facilitate safe passage on task.
The powerful lift provided by the
Chinook facilitates this capability
but only with the expertise of
JHSS who safely arrange the
heavy load ready for transfer.
This particular training task was
a revalidation for the Defence
Landing Point Commanders for
59 Cdo Sqn Royal Engineers.
A third scenario includes a
tactical insertion of troops and
resupply of food, water and
equipment to personnel manning
a Rebroadcasting facility on a
remote mountain only accessible
by helicopter. The topography
provides realistic training in
the delivery of troops onto
peaked terrain to establish a
critical rebroadcasting facility.
The resupply, whilst part of the
scenario, was also a real-time
necessity in order to ensure
the welfare of troops on the
ground. These insertions
allowed the 4AAC signalers from
Command Troop to hone some
of their communication skills in a
challenging environment offering
great secure communication
for JHF1 HQ to maintain radio
contact with the Aircraft.
Delivering alongside such a
breadth of tri-service assets and
personnel created an interesting
dynamic on the Exercise.
“There are clearly cultural
differences between the RM,
the AAC and the RAF, but
such strength in diversity was
obvious throughout the Exercise”
observed Sqn Ldr Kyle, “The
Apache and Chinook are the most
‘in-demand’ aircraft to complete
the task; we deliver troops to
and from the objective and the
Apache provides top-cover
whilst they’re there. It’s what
makes the JHF concept such a
great task force to work with.”
It’s a view supported by
Section Commander Cpl
Brack from B Coy, 40 Cdo,
who has worked with the
Chinook on multiple occasions
whilst delivering kinetic
effect on Operations:
“The Mojavé Desert in which
we’ve been training for the
last 6 weeks is not unlike the
hostile lands of the Herricks.
It’s a good job the Chinooks
are here with us to get the lads
into such advanced positions.”
He remarked. “When all
is done out on the ground,
we listen for the sound of
the Chinook in the distance
growing louder and louder like
the marching of a Great Army.
Which is of course what we
would be doing if it weren’t
for the Chinook! I’ve never
not been happy to see them,
it certainly beats walking…”
Of course none of this
happens without the expertise
of the RAF Odiham Engineers.
WO Mark Cunnigham, Det Eng
Officer, explains the challenges
faced by his 24 technicians:
“This place is like a mini
Bastion, it’s a hard det for
the guys no doubt about it
but by the end they will have
achieved so much, although it
may not feel like that right now!
Communications, resources and
the austere conditions are a
challenge but we work hard to
do our job so that the aircrew
can do theirs; fixing the aircraft
and seeing it off on a mission is
a great sense of achievement.”
This exercise has highlighted
that our newest and youngest
engineers, commandos and
aircrew have no Operational
experience following the
drawdown of Op Herrick.
“This particular Exercise
saw the first pilot get Combat
Ready without having completed
a Herrick Tour” said Sqn Ldr
Kyle “Corporate knowledge of
Afghan is steadily fading and
ideologically we need to move
on. Locations such as these help
us to adapt and move forward, we
must always look to the demands
of the future rather than solely
rely on the experience of past.”
For those Royal Marines that
have never had the joy of being
thrust into the sky backwards
inside a Chinook or having
heard the thunderous rattle of
an Apache’s 30mm cannon live
firing above their heads these
joint exercises become key in
developing that experience.
Throughout the exercise
4 AAC’s QMSI, A/WO2 Dave
Reid led a team of instructors
from across the Army and RM
who provided personnel with
Adventurous Training in San
Diego, a vital part of bonding
and development as a team.
This time away consisted of a 4
day package in a youth hostel
that backed on to Pacific Beach,
mountain biking, trekking, paddle
boarding and sea kayaking
around San Diego. There was
even an opportunity to swim
with sea lions, something
no-one expected during a
desert training exercise.
The next time these troops
collectively meet might be on an
emerging contingent operation.
It’s rare to get stretched in
such austere locations; heavily
fatigued, in each other’s pockets
24/7 with limited washing
facilities and no Wi-Fi or signal-
this is certainly no El Centro.
The Exercise culminated in a
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 7
OPERATIONS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise

(CALFEX) and next year will see
the men of 40 Cdo take over the
nation’s high-readiness Lead Cdo
Group, a contingency force able
to deploy anywhere in the world at
very short notice. The success of
Ex Black Alligator allowed crews
to gain their desert environmental
and joint live firing qualifications;
a key enabler to operating and
delivering effect worldwide.

8 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS

 OPERATIONS

JHSS
on the move
Written By: Flt Lt Andy Davidson

The dust is settling and the Sqn has reached IOC

after our relocation from RAF Odiham to RAF
Benson, and as every good ProjO knows there will
always follow a request for the obligatory article.

B
y way of introduction,
Joint Helicopter Support
Squadron is a joint,
independent sub-unit
based at RAF Benson that
provides Defence’s specialist
helicopter handling and under
slung load capability. The unit
was originally formed in 1987 and
later rebadged in 2007 as a result
of the amalgamation of Joint
Helicopter Support Unit (JHSU)
and RAF Mobile Air Operating
Teams (MAOT). The Sqn has
been continually committed to
operations since its formation,
and in addition supports almost
all major support and attack
helicopter platforms and wider
Collective Training exercises
that take place, both in the UK
and overseas whilst holding
a 2hrs Notice To Move (NTM)
readiness team to support the
National Standby commitment
and teams at 5 days NTM in
support of contingent operations.
The initial news that we were
to relocate from RAF Odiham
was met in the most part with a
good degree of apprehension
and nervousness. Apart from
the very early days, JHSS has
been in residence at Odiham
for most of its 35 year history.
Most organisations fear change
and in that respect we were no
different. For this move the
apprehension was compounded
by the need to complete the
move within compressed
timelines whilst maintaining
our operational output.
The project was complex and
can in many ways be compared
to moving house. If you accept
that your household consists of
112 personnel, their families, a
fleet of 43 vehicles and about
50 tonnes of equipment.
The decision to move in
such a short time scale was
driven by a well meant desire
to have the families in and
settled in time for the start of
the school year. In practical
terms this was never going
to be easy, but we achieved
it. Once we had worked out
that we could squeeze into
the technical accommodation
the kit and equipment were
relatively easy. The challenge
was always going to be the
people. Lots of engagement
with personnel and supporting
agencies such as Carillion
Amey and DIO and eventually
it’s starting to take shape.
So where are we now?
We are in and settling into
the Benson battle rhythm
nicely. The domestic facilities
are fantastic, and the food
in the respective messes is
amazing and despite the initial
apprehension the Sqn personnel
are happy and morale is good.
The working accommodation
is taking shape and we are
slowly gaining ground on the
outstanding infrastructure issues.
Was the relocation a success,
yes but largely as a result of the
proactive and can do attitude
that we in the military possess
in abundance. We are here
and operational output was
not affected. Could we have
done it better, yes given more
time but we are content that we
achieved the aim in a satisfactory
manner and more importantly
morale is at an all-time high and
the future at RAF Benson looks
bright and promising.

VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 9

OPERATIONS

JHC reach their

Maritime Operations high
water mark on JEF(M)
Written by Flt Lt Henry Fuller

Between the 12th of September and the 12th to turn the excellent kit and blades and is small enough to
of October Chinooks, Merlins and Apaches of equipment into crucial capability. fit on the lifts to be stored and
Joint Helicopter Command were embarked on- 662 Squadron, Army Air engineered in the ship’s hangar.
board HMS Ocean as part of Joint Expeditionary Corps, operating four Apache This is a huge advantage for
Force (Maritime), known as JEF(M). AH Mk1 battlefield helicopters engineering when compared to
provided the FIND and ATTACK working on deck at night with
OUR AIRCRAFT is the mainstay of the ‘green’ functions on the exercise. a red torch, in foul weather and
The three aircraft worked fleet, serving two squadrons at Ordinarily based at Wattisham in amidst the noise of aviation.
together as the Tailored Air Odiham and the Operational East Anglia, the aircraft flew to 845 Naval Air Squadron
Group (TAG), overseen by Conversion Flight at RAF Benson. the ship in formation, via London, (NAS), part of CHF, brought
a headquarters element of The aircraft were configured to Devonport. The detachment two aircraft, a classic Merlin
Commando Helicopter Force with equipment appropriate comprised 6 crews and Mk3 and, in the historic first
(CHF) personnel. Commander to their continued readiness supporting elements including embarkation, a folding rotor
Matt Punch, RN, took up the for contingent operations Royal Engineers, Royal Electrical iMk3. Operated in support of
role of Commanding Officer worldwide. This included Forward and Mechanical Engineers Royal Marine (RM) amphibious
once again having previously Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), Rescue (REME) and Royal Signals. The forces the Merlin is now operated
overseen embarked aviation Hoist, extra internal fuel tanks, Apache brings to bear a range of solely by the Royal Navy (RN).
during Exercise GRIFFIN Defensive Aids Suite (DAS) sensors and weaponry including They shared the delivery of the
STRIKE earlier this year. and Crew-Served Weapons. the Longbow radar, thermal LIFT function in support of the
27 Squadron, Royal Air Force, 5 crews, essential engineers imaging, day TV optics, 30mm Embarked Military Forces of 42
based at RAF Odiham deployed and Force Enablers (FE) made chain gun, rockets and Hellfire Commando. The versatility of the
two Chinook HC4s. The HC4 up the complement of people missiles. It can also fold its rotor Merlin means that, in both of its

HMS Ocean and all three

types weathering some light
rain on deck. Photo taken
by PO(Phot) Si Ethell

10 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS

distinct ‘green’ and ‘grey’ roles,
it is always useful to have aboard
for tactical moves, Helicopter
Delivery Service (HDS), winching,
Under-Slung Loads and more.
845 had 3 crews and technical
support where both RN and RM
personnel were represented.
OCEAN-GOING CAPABILITY
The exercise was indeed a
high point for the thousands
of personnel across all 3
services who participated. It
falls towards the end of a busy
year of incrementally building
experience upon experience,
learning crucial lessons and,
as the Ship’s Company like to
remark, constantly improving
‘interoperable amphibiosity.’
Nonetheless, the three JHC
aircraft types arrived with
different training objectives and
currency demands to fit into the
space around the main event.
Maintaining the number of
hours and deck landings for the
Embarked Qualification is no easy
task when faced with a dwindling
number of aviation capable ships
which are constantly busy around
the world. Whilst it could be said
that the majority of operators
are at the top of their game in
ship to objective manoeuvre,
they cannot fly if below the
required numbers. 662 Squadron
revalidated 9 pilots and attained
Initial Qualifications (IQ) for 3
more. 845 Squadron IQ’d one
new pilot and requalified their
crews in Vertical Replenishment
(VERTREP). Chinook aircrew
renewed 11 pilots in deck
landings and conducted some
valuable winching and VERTREP
COMMODORE ANDREW
BURNS, COMATG MESSAGE:
“This deployment is a hugely
important task for the Royal
Navy, and for Defence,
demonstrating our ability to
deploy and operate worldwide,
engaging closely with our
allies and standing ready for
whatever a deployment to
an area of strategic interest
to the UK can present.”
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
A FOD Plod is conducted before and after each flying window
to keep the deck clean. Photo taken by PO(Phot) Si Ethell
serials. Using the rescue hoist
enables the Chinook to overcome
its size in the rare event that
personnel need to be lifted
from a ship with insufficient
deck space to land. The Chinook
and the Merlin detachments
alternated the HDS standby crew
so that there was an aircraft at
readiness for any emergency
medical or compassionate
tasking. The two aircraft were
also required daily on Exercise
ALBANIAN LION 16 (Ex AL) to
move personnel between the
platforms and ashore. Senior
commanders, Albanian observers,
many VIPs and personnel
reorganising post training
were the regular passengers.
TACTICAL EXPERTISE
JHC aircrews, engineers and FE’s
mastered many of the lower level
skills during seaborne exercises
earlier this year. This meant that
there were no surprises that
JEF(M) had a different start and
end point on the well-used ‘Crawl,
Walk, Run’ scale! On the transit to
the operating area for Ex AL, 662
Squadron crews took advantage
of the opportunity to fire live
Hellfire missiles and 30mm chain
gun at floating targets known as
‘Killer Tomatoes.’ The large red
bags float on the surface and drift
away behind the ship carrying
radar reflectors which provide a
target for the Apache weapons
systems. This high-level training
occurs every 2 years or so and
was invaluable to aircrew and
ground crew alike who have a
decreasing corporate knowledge
as our last major operation fades
into tactics manuals of the past.
One of the many advantages
of the operating area is
uncongested airspace. Using an
out of use airfield, TAG aircraft
were able to work with two
unusual players, RN Hawks of
736 NAS and the experts of
simulation at the Air Manoeuvre
Planning Training Advisory Team
(AMPTAT). The Hawks divided
their time between harassing the
floating Task Group, supporting
the RM ashore and participating
in excellent combined training
serials for aviation. Those Apache
aircrew who had qualified as
Forward Air Controller (Airborne)
were able to requalify using the
Hawk as a Close Air Support
platform to talk onto a target.
On the ground AMPTAT used
emulators, gadgets and smoke
to aggravate the approaches of
the AH into the overhead. They
were also used to trigger the
DAS on incoming troop-carrying
helicopters requiring an abort and
re-attack whilst calling for support
from the escorting gunships.
These units are the catalyst
for the rapid improvement of
capability within the Contested,
Degraded and Operationally
Limited (CDO) environment.
Within this construct yet
another force-multiplying skill
set was proven. Forward Air
Refuelling Equipment (FARE)
can be carried by Chinook and
transforms the aircraft into a
petrol station for all-comers.
A Chinook and Merlin operating
from HMS Ocean. Photo
taken by PO(Phot) Si Ethell
There is room inside for three
extra fuel tanks to enable the
offload of many tonnes of
fuel, leaving the Chinook just
enough to return to base! The
setup and operation of the
FARE was remarkably swift.
Between AMPTAT training
serials two Apaches were
refuelled with rotors running
using this method. A 736 NAS
Hawk maintained its presence
overhead. On operations a FARE
aircraft could be combined
with a second Chinook carrying
ground crew and ordnance
for rearming the Apaches.
OBJECTIVE BRONZE SUPPORT
The final mission for Ex AL was
a raid on an island off the coast
which had been taken over by
the fictional Benalian Liberation
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 11
OPERATIONS
HEADING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
Army. With exercise intelligence
reports confirming a rapidly
destabilising security situation,
the planning elements of the 42
Cdo RM headquarters went into
overdrive. With 3 fighting ships in
the Task Group, a huge amount of
resources can be brought to bear.
HMS Ocean and HMS Bulwark
are able to simultaneously deploy
Landing Craft Utility (LCU),
Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel
(LCVP), Attack Helicopters and
two helicopter types full of
Marines and their vehicles.
On the final night of the
tactical element of JEF(M) each
type would see action in the
simulated threat environment of a
littoral conflict. The complicated
geopolitical scenario meant that
the command element favoured
a night-time, short duration
insertion to neutralise forces
aligned against the task force
and the allied government. The
first aircraft on the scene were
the Apaches. They cleared the
beaches of enemy units and
used their sensors to determine
the suitability of the landing
sites from range. The bulk of
combat forces were delivered
by sea in LCUs and LCVPs
with Apaches overhead.
Support Helicopter
involvement was a mixed pair of a
Chinook and a Merlin arriving at a
precise point and time. Specialist
units and quad bikes were
delivered to near-inaccessible
points of high ground in order
All eight JHC aircraft fly past HMS
Ocean and her crew as they depart.
Photo taken by Flt Lt Fuller
12 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ
to dominate the steeply falling
slopes of the island. Two SH
types able to complement the
other’s ability whilst launching
within seconds of each other from
ships well outside the horizon
of the enemy provide a huge
range of options for manoeuvre.
Practicing these skills in training
will always be better and safer
than learning them for the first
time for real on operations.
SHIP-SHAPE AND
BRISTOL FASHION
After a successful Ex AL, the 250
strong TAG turned their thoughts
to home. 8 helicopters on a ship
with 6 medium helicopter parking
spots presented a considerable Sqn flew multiple lifts
challenge to the crew of HMS of 105 Light Guns and
Ocean and the 27 Squadron crew trailers to support the
who had planned the formation exercise. Photo taken
for the route to the UK. The by PO(Phot) Si Ethell
Chinooks were despatched from
their larger spots, the Merlins
and Apaches were variously A view from the sky.
raised from the hangar, rotors Photo taken by Flt Lt Fuller
spread and towed about the
deck to make the deck plan
for the departure a reality. The
result was a formation ripple
lift of 6 helicopters followed by
a flythrough of the port circuit
of all 8 JHC aircraft with what
looked like most of the Ship’s
Company cheering and waving
from the now empty flight
deck. That enthusiasm clearly
extends to the British public
who had expressed their awe
of the large formation 132,000
times on social media within a
few days of the departure.
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS

Lessons
Management and
Exploitation in JHC
Welcome to ‘Lessons Corner’; a new addition
to LZDZ with an aim to ensure that JHC
lessons are more widely understood and
communicated across the community.
F
alling under the
commitments branch
of JHC HQ, the
Lessons team (also
responsible for Doctrine) are:
• SO1 Lt Col Stephen James Management and Exploitation,
JHC-Cts-Doctrine-SO1
• SO2 Lt Cdr J J Hughes Post-Operation/Exercise Report
JHC-Cts-Doctrine-Lessons-SO2
• SO3 Mrs Linda Mundy these CIs provide all the detail
JHC-Cts-Doctrine-Lessons-SO3
SO, WHAT IS A LESSON?
Across Defence, a lesson
is defined as: ‘a significant
observation or experience that
can be actioned, changed
or influenced, and in doing
so, imparts beneficial new
knowledge or understanding.’
The key thing being that a
lesson results in an action/
change that will introduce a
benefit/improvement. Therefore,
the principle of learning/
applying lessons is; through
adopting a formal approach
to learning, individuals and
the organisation can reduce
the repetition of mistakes
and instead repeat successes.
Across Defence this results in
improved operational and cost
effectiveness, and reduced
operational and operating risk.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
LESSONS ACROSS DEFENCE?
Overall responsibility is
delegated to Director Joint
Warfare (DJW); who is tasked
with ensuring Defence maintains
a comprehensive lessons
capture and exploitation
framework at the Joint level
of operations and below.
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
HOW DOES THE JHC
LESSONS PROCESS WORK?
The JHC lessons process is
detailed in JHC Command
Instruction J3CI05- Lessons
complemented by J3CI30 - JHC
Template Guidance. Together
required for Commanders and
Staff on how lessons should be
written / formatted and how they
are processed within HQ JHC.
Honest and forthright reporting
is encouraged; to contain details
of the good and the not so good
and document the successes
and the not so successful.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH
LESSONS WHEN THEY ARE
RECEIVED BY HQ JHC?
The detail lies within the CIs
mentioned above; post operation
/exercise reports are analysed by
the lessons team and prepared for
review by a Military Judgement
Panel (MJP), attended by the
SO1 lead desk officers across the
HQ. The MJP forum will assess
whether a lesson should be taken
forward for action / resolution and
provide direction on who should
be responsible for leading lesson
development and what timeline
lesson resolution is required to
be in place. A lesson will only
be deemed learned or applied
when the required change has
occurred and a benefit realised.
I’VE HEARD MENTION OF
DLIMS, WHAT’S THAT…?
Defence Lessons Information
Management System (DLIMS)
is the electronic tool used
for capturing, progressing
and archiving all Lessons in
Defence. Providing a readily
accessible library / repository
where all Defence lessons are
stored. This means that there
is a wealth of information
available to individuals who may
wish to understand whether
particular topics /issues have
LESSONS CORNER
been experienced in the past.
Newly identified lessons
are entered into DLIMs and
managed until the required
action or change has been
implemented, the lesson
will then be reviewed before
agreement for closure is given.
SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS
OFFERED BY JHC ADOPTING
A LESSONS POLICY?
By COLLECTING the detail
from reports then ANALYSING
the issues, ACTION is directed
so the required change is
IMPLEMENTED. This process:
• Completes the ‘Circle
of Learning’.
• Provides evidence on which to
shape future exercises etc.
• Provides supporting evidence
for Capability development.
• By reviewing what went wrong
in a previous similar event we
can avoid repeating the same
mistakes in the future.
Finally, by DISSEMINATING
our ‘Learning’ widely we
VALIDATE the effort involved.
NEXT TIME…
In the next edition of LZDZ
we will provide more detail
on a number of lessons that
have recently been learned/
applied that are of particular
interest across the JHC.
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 13
OPERATIONS
HEADING
JHF3 HQ Assured during
Exercise WESSEX STORM
Written By: Flt Lt Rebecca Stratton
Exercise WESSEX STORM
took place on Keevil Airfield,
Wiltshire, in November 16.
D
uring the Exercise,
Joint Helicopter
Force (JHF) 3 HQ
achieved assurance as
a capable and competent HQ,
able to conduct Non-Combatant
Evacuation Operations (NEO)
and Humanitarian and Disaster
Relief Operations (HADRO).
The JHF3 HQ and Force
Elements (4x Chinook, 1x Merlin,
1x Apache and 1x Puma plus
up to 300 personnel) operated
14 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ
from an austere environment for
the duration. JHF3 HQ is held
at five days notice to move and
is manned by personnel from
RAF Benson and RAF Odiham. In
addition to Support Helicopter
platforms, JHF3 HQ is prepared
to support AH and CHF assets
for any deployment. In order to
achieve assurance, JHF3 planned
and conducted a simulated NEO,
which aimed to LIFT 150 entitled
personnel to a place of safety.
Ex WESSEX STORM was not
a bespoke exercise for JHF3, but
was intended as a CT4 Exercise
for 4SCOTS Battle Group. JHF3
conducted additional tasks in
support of 4SCOTS on Salisbury
Plain, including support to a
Battle Group Rapid air Delivery,
moving 220+ soldiers to a place
of tactical advantage. A small
Air Manoeuvre Planning Team
from JHF3 forward deployed to
embed with the 4SCOTS HQ in
order to assist with the Battle
Group planning process.
Four Chinooks from RAF
Odiham conducted the bulk of the
LIFT tasks, assisted by one Merlin
from 845 NAS and one Puma
from RAF Benson. In addition
to supporting 4SCOTS, all JHF3
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
Force Elements, including Apache
from 664 Sqn, conducted training
in a Contested, Degraded and
Operationally Limited (CDO)
environment. This was enabled by
comms jamming equipment from
Joint Electronic Warfare Core
Staff and RAF Spadeadam staff.
The Exercise also incorporated
a Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR)
mission to recover a downed
Typhoon pilot from Davidstowe
Airfield, Cornwall. This was used
as a training opportunity for all
HQ planning staff allowing core
planners to participate in the JPR
planning process. Chinook, Puma,
Merlin and Apache took part in
recovering the isolated person.
Various Force Elements
attributed to JHF3 capitalised
on the opportunity to conduct
their own training during the
Exercise. Tactical Supply Wing
(TSW) successfully established a
Forward Arming and Refuelling
Point (FARP) at Everleigh Drop
Zone in addition to the Main
Refuelling Area and FARP
established at Barton Stacey
and Keevil. Force Protection for Ex WESSEX STORM was the
aviation assets was provided culmination of a year’s training
by 1 SCOTS GUARDS who cycle for JHF3 which included a
were attributed to JHF3 for the Staff Advisory Visit and a week
duration. They provided subject at the Combined Arms Staff
matter expert advice to JHF3 Trainer facility in Sennelager,
HQ planning staff and provided Germany. However, the Exercise
ground forces for the NEO, Battle at Keevil airfield was the largest
Group RAID and JPR serials. JHF3 training deployment for
at least two years. Despite this,
JHF3 and its Support Group
enabled aviation Force Elements
to achieve over 160 flying hours
and provided Real Life Support
for up to 300 personnel. Looking and Staff Trainer iterations. Most the most likely Higher HQ
forward, JHF3 staff will continue notably, JHF3 is due to participate during a HADRO or NEO. The
to train existing and new in Ex JOINT HORIZON which will year will culminate in another
members of staff at further Staff see the JHF operate in support large scale roll out of JHF3 and
Assurance Visits and Command of Joint Force Headquarters, associated aviation assets.

VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 15

CAPABILITY

A Closer Look
Aviation Reconnaissance Force
Written By: Maj Neil Johnson

The Aviation Reconnaissance

Force (ARF) provides a
reconnaissance and multi-role
capability to UK Defence.

Based at Yeovilton and

Aldergrove the ARF consists of
1 and 5 Regiments AAC.
Elements of the ARF provide
aviation support to the Army’s
overseas training facility in
Canada and to wider UK Defence
needs. The ARF operates a
variety of aircraft including
the Gazelle, Lynx and Wildcat
helicopters and the Islander/
Defender fixed wing aircraft.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The ARF has had a full and varied
2016. A large turnover of key
staff in the ARF HQ brought the
year to a close; ARF Commander
Colonel Mike Smith handed over
to Colonel Paul Tedman and
the Chief of Staff, Lt Col Robin
Melling, made way for Lt Col
Charlie Howard-Higgins. The
filling of some long gapped posts
was most welcome and our staff
work can now be more accurately
focussed and supportive of our
regiments and out-stations.
The Royal Naval Air Station
(RNAS) Yeovilton (VL, in
‘Jack speak’) infrastructure
continues to improve with the
occupation of the new RHQ
and Joint Flying Operations
Centre (JFOC) scheduled for
early 2017. Encouragingly, the
provision of modern Single Living
Accommodation (SLA) looms
tantalisingly close for living in
personnel. The footprint of 657
Squadron’s anticipated move to
VL is yet to be finalised and we
look forward to supporting our
MAB colleagues where we can.
1 Regt received their
final Wildcat from Leonardo
Helicopters in November.
652 Sqn is gainfully employed
delivering a plethora of courses
such as Wildcat Conversion To
Type/Role (CTT/R), Aviation
Crewman courses, Competent
to Instruct qualifications for new
QHIs, Operational Evaluation
of the new aircraft and Wildcat
course design and evaluation.
The Wildcat Force Generation
challenge is being met by this
team, despite frequently critical
airborne instructor manning.
661 Sqn broke ground at
the British Army Training Unit
Suffield (BATUS) in support
of the Royal Dragoon Guards
Battle Group. While in Canada,
661 forayed into contingency
operations and learned valuable
lessons for their planned ‘crawl-
walk-run’ series of deployments
in 2017. Their development of
Aviation reconnaissance doctrine
in conjunction with the Army’s
nascent STRIKE Concept of
Operations will prove most
useful. On every level this has
been a year of firsts for them.
The Squadron’s 2017 will be no
less demanding as the remainder
of their aircrew complete CTT/R
and Environmental Training
with mandated readiness levels
scheduled for April 2017.
The unique nature of 5 Regt’s
location and role continues
to challenge and attract in
equal measure. Life support to
Aldergrove Flying Station has been
steadily reduced and they are to be
commended for their innovation
and hard work in keeping the flying
programme and their people on an
even keel. The unfortunate down
declaration of 655 Squadron is yet
to be fully felt by the Regt, who
remain continuously busy with
operations in the Province and with
a steady trickle of Gazelle-trained

16 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS


personnel to 29 Flight in BATUS.
9 Regt sadly disbanded in
July 16, marked well by the final
Freedom of Boroughbridge
parade. The five Lynx Mk9As and
personnel of the British Army
Training Unit Kenya (BATUK)
Aviation Support Squadron (BASS)
extended to late December 2016
after an 18 month commitment
and approx 1300 flying hours.
‘Hot-and-high’ operational
lessons will undoubtedly be
invaluable to all personnel,
regardless of their cap badge,
future employment or platform.
As operators and innovators of
the newest (Wildcat) and oldest
(Gazelle) capabilities in the Corps,
the future remains a busy and
exciting prospect for the ARF.
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
1 REGT AAC WORKSHOP
REME – ENGINEERING
AT YEOVILTON
The entire Defence fleet of
Wildcat is based at RNAS
Yeovilton; this includes the
Army variant (Wildcat AH) and
the Royal Navy variant (Wildcat
HMA). To support the Wildcat
AH there are four separate
maintenance organisations; 1
Regt AAC Wksp, 73 Avn Spt Coy
(7 Avn Spt Bn REME), Wildcat
Contracted Maintenance (WCM)
and 847 Naval Air Squadron.
Each responsible for conducting
maintenance on Wildcat,
but in subtly different ways
and to differing priorities.
When Wildcat AH first arrived
at Yeovilton, all maintainers were
initially part of one small work
force making an effective team
(Army and Navy). However,
it was soon identified that
although this worked, different
training, policy and priorities
soon started to reduce the
efficiencies seen earlier in the
programme. Coupled with the
growth of the Wildcat fleet, the
maintenance organisation split
into their respective parent
Units so each could concentrate
on their own way of working.
As part of the growth of
Wildcat AH in Yeovilton, 1 Regt
AAC completely relocated from
its base in Germany. Aside from
the change of aircraft type and
base, the Wksp experienced
further disruption once within
RNAS Yeovilton. To facilitate the
huge infrastructure programme
required to improve and increase
the capacity at Yeovilton,
the Wksp was required to
move hangars four times;
each time, conducted whilst
working to sustain output.
The current support
arrangement has WCM providing
the majority of the maintenance
to the constant and demanding
flying of the Training Sqn, 652
Sqn AAC, with 1 AAC Wksp
focussed on delivering support
to 661 Sqn AAC and training
through CT1 to 4 in preparation
for being at readiness in Apr
17. Resilience to support the
training flying programme
is provided by 73 Avn Spt
Coy with some additional
support to 1 AAC Wksp.
In support of the land
elements of the Regimental
equipment is the 1 AAC Vehicle
Repair Section (VRS), based
in little Yeovilton, about a
5-minute drive from the Main
Aviation Workshop. The relative
proximity enables the VRS to
feel part of the main engineering
effort supporting the Regiment.
However, as land and aviation
equipment repair techniques
are different, the location allows
the VRS to largely function as
a standalone entity. There are
in the region of 130 platforms
ranging from Oshkosh tractor
and trailer combinations to
small generator sets that are
supported by the VRS.
The engineering facility was
a new build in 2015 and is way
above the standard of most
vehicle workshops. The finishing
touches are now being installed
which includes a VOSA standard
MEI bay. This bay comes with a
new Roller Brake Tester, Shaker
Plates, Twister Plates and a
Fixed Headlight Beam Tester.
Other features of the facility
which are due to come on line
include a 30 Tonne Scissor Lift
and a waste Oil and Coolant
disposal system which pumps
straight from the servicing pit.
Future plans include a set of
Somers lifts to accommodate
the Oshkosh Platforms and
SVR as well as a Tyre Bay.
VRS has also taken ownership
of the Armourers shop which
is based on the Main Air
Station within the Regiments
Armoury. This again is a new
facility supporting equipment
such as the FN Herstal M3M
50 Calibre to the Glock Pistol.
Weapon systems which are
used on airframes are inspected
and have parts replaced more
frequently due to vibration. This
creates an extra responsibility
for this department not found
in the Land environment.
Working and living in RNAS
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 17
CAPABILITY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
Yeovilton with two Services
cohabiting, alongside contractors,
has its ups and downs. The
infrastructure build programme
has almost delivered all of the
technical accommodation,
to a high standard, and the
Regimental Headquarters is
nearing completion, which will
see the Regiment occupying a
single building for the first time
since relocating from Germany.
With the first Army Wildcat
Sqn in the closing stages of
preparing for readiness and
a Regiment well situated to
deliver a Wildcat capability, the
end of a challenging time of
change is in sight and this should
provide exciting opportunities
for the Army Wildcat Force.
“Now this is not the end.
It is not even the beginning
of the end. But it is, perhaps,
the end of the beginning.”
Sir Winston Churchill.
5 REGIMENT AAC
AND 29 (BATUS) FLT
written by Capt Lizzie Cranfield,
5 Regt AAC and Capt Jake
Jewson, 29 (BATUS) Flt
5 Regt AAC provides the Army’s
Manned Airborne Surveillance
(MAS) capability, with its fixed
18 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ
BENEFITS OF FLYING
OUT OF YEOVILTON
For most of the Wildcat force
operating from a naval base
has been a new experience
and there are many benefits to
flying out of RNAS Yeovilton.
Having Army and Navy on the
same base leads to obvious
challenges; from getting used
to each other’s rank structure
and ‘Jack Speak’ to new customs
like saluting the ‘main mast’
twice a day and piping officers
on board the ‘ship’. However,
the benefits far outweigh any
drawbacks. A larger base leads
to a larger mess (or Wardroom…)
and grander functions, as well
as a busier social calendar
with plenty of opportunity to
celebrate both the Fleet Air
Arm and the Army Air Corps.
The Wildcat course delivers
a high output standard, to the
extent that just four days after
completing CTR, 661 Sqn was
able to operate seamlessly
and rotary fleets – Islander,
Defender and Gazelle. With
year-round support to UK
mainland exercises and fulfilling
a plethora of standing tasks,
the Regt is unceasingly busy.
A number of 5 Regt
personnel deploy each year
to augment 29 (BATUS) Flt
alongside the HCR on Exercise
IRON SCOUT before deploying
to America and Canada for
further training. Having the
Salisbury Plain Training Area
on our doorstep is a huge
advantage for both us and
the wider field Army, and the
numerous units based nearby
provide endless opportunities
for meaningful training.
From a pure flying
perspective, Yeovilton is well
placed with nearby airfields
such as Exeter, Boscombe Down
and Southampton providing
variety to our instrument flying
training. The satellite airfield,
Merrifield, offers an ideal
location for general handling,
under slung load training and
low level tactical deployments.
Keevil, Dunkeswell
and Henstridge have all
accommodated FARPs ensuring
that the groundcrew training
requirements are also well
served. The flying benefits
AAC as temporary staff: a
highly desirable opportunity
for aircrew, groundcrew and
engineers to experience
operating overseas, providing
vital MEDEVAC support to
exercising BGs. There has been
an avn presence with the British
Army Training Unit Suffield
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
don’t just extend to airfields
and barracks as the Quantocks,
Dartmoor and Exmoor are
all excellent locations for low
flying and tactical training.
Somerset also offers an
excellent quality of life. Bath,
Bristol and Exeter are all within
an hour’s drive, so urbanites
don’t have too far to travel…
With a long history of
association with the Navy,
the local population is very
receptive to the military with
personnel from the base playing
for at least three different
local rugby clubs, as well as
cycling for Yeovil and Bruton.
The coast is within an hour
to the north and south and
the numerous local National
Trust sites all host events
throughout the year. Each
picturesque village seems to
have an excellent pub, and
the local farmers’ markets
and cider festivals ensure that
we are suitably victualled!
(BATUS) since the early 1970s. 29
Flt, equipped with Gazelle covers
2700 Km2, the requirement
for avn support is clear.
Training Year 2016 yielded a
typical rotation of BG exercises
for 29 Flt AAC. Four BG-sized
PRAIRIE STORM (PS) exercises
were held between May and
October. 5 Rifles, 2 PWRR, QRH
and RDG BGs rotated through
the month-long field exercises.
Two key events were Ex PS2, the
largest of the exercises, and Ex
PS4, in which WILDCAT made its
debut. Throughout the season,
29 Flt AAC provided MEDEVAC
support, ‘Red Top’ Safety,
Range Clearance, Airborne
Observation and Mentoring
and Tactical Support to the BGs
“
and the Opposing Forces.
Now this is not the
end. It is not even
the beginning of
the end. But it is,
perhaps, the end
of the beginning.
”
Sir Winston Churchill
 2016 saw the introduction the
‘MEDEVAC mod’. The Gazelle
had been deemed unsuitable to
conduct CASEVAC after a visit
of the Pre-Hospital Emergency
Care Team. Work between 29
Flt, Gazelle Project Team and
1710 Naval Air Squadron resulted
in a significant modification to
the internal fit of the aircraft.
This turned the ad-hoc
CASEVAC arrangement into a
true MEDEVAC capability. The
patient is rotated 180º to allow
the on-board doctor better
access; a suction pump and
medical monitor were fitted
as well as oxygen bottles and
storage for medical supplies. This
modification has saved several
million pounds - the cost of
contracting a civilian MEDEVAC
asset. Of the 20+ MEDEVACs this
season, many could not have been
carried in the legacy CASEVAC
fit, including a (thankfully
small) number of potentially
life-threatening injuries.
Throughout the season, the
Flt has led in one of Commander
BATUS’s key aims of ‘exploiting
the 3rd Dimension’. The Flt has
been involved in both sides
of the battle, swapping its
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traditional orange cowlings for a
more tactical green when playing
enemy forces. The aim is to
inculcate both the modern threat
from aviation and the use of
friendly aviation in a modern and
complex battle space. In addition
to the tactical sorties, BATUS
Directing Staff have mentored
and observed troops on the
ground. The unique view of
flying above the BGs provides a
perspective different to following
the battle in support vehicles.
With WILDCAT deployed on
Ex PS4, the Flight subtly changed
its role again. Normally, visiting
aviation, such as US National
Guard (Blackhawk, PS1 2016) or
659 Sqn AAC (Lynx, PS3 2015) are
fully trained sub-units operating
with well-honed procedures and
mature aircraft. 661 Sqn arrived
fresh from their Conversion To
Role (CTR): a brand new Squadron
still finding their feet with the
new aircraft. While BATUS was
focused on delivering Ex IRON
STRIKE (Ex IS, as PS4 had become
known), 29 Flight’s attention
was on giving 661 Sqn and 1
Regt AAC their full support in
order to ease them into BATUS.
Helping to support a Squadron
as a small detached Flight was a
challenge, but one the Flt wanted
to achieve. The Training Area and
Ex IS proved the ideal arena for
WILDCAT to showcase itself to the
Field Army: they return in 2017.
As can be imagined, operating
an ageing aircraft this far from
the UK presents challenges.
The REME detachment contend
with a lengthy logistical chain,
spares shortages and the largest
temperature range of any JHC
unit (+/- 30º in a single day is
common and an annual variation
from +40ºC to -30ºC is not
uncommon). Despite this, hardly
a task line has been missed. In
fact the longest that BATUS
was without MEDEVAC support
throughout the season was
not due to unserviceability or
weather; it was due to a loose
article check when the ear-piece
fell off a medical stethoscope.
Despite a relatively low
profile within the wider Army, 29
(BATUS) Flt remains an integral
part of BATUS. Whatever the
future holds for the venerable
Gazelle and by extension AAC
support at BATUS one thing is
undeniable: many of the Bdes
and BGs that have trained and
deployed after going through
a BATUS exercise owe some of
their success to the Gazelles
of 29 (BATUS) Flt – visibly or
invisibly supporting countless
exercises 24/7 for 45 years.
PS... The Skiing and Ice Hockey
keep us quite busy in the winter…
It’s not all work, work, work.
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 19
 HEADING
AWARDS
Commander Joint
Helicopter Command
Air Safety Awards
Two personnel from Attack Helicopter Force were recently
presented with Air Safety Awards from Commander Joint
Helicopter Force, Major General Richard Felton, during the
monthly Joint Helicopter Command update at Andover.
Sgt Browning has been an
Attack Helicopter Flight Second-
in-Command and Squadron Air
Safety Officer since 2014. He
has been the Regimental Air
Safety Officer since January
2016. Sgt Browning has been
recognised for demonstrably
enhancing air safety across his
Squadron and Regiment, for
championing a professional air
safety culture, and for setting
the standard for Safe Operating
Environment staff work across
the Attack Helicopter Force.
Sgt Browning has been at the
heart of 3 Regiment’s Air Safety
process. During his tenure he has
developed enduring professional
relationships, systematically
© Bokeh Blur Background Subject / shutterstock
grown the Unit’s understanding
of Air Safety and delivered
measurable improvements.
He is hugely respected for his
professionalism and consistently
instilled vitality and enthusiasm
into all that he does. His safety
risk analyses, examination of
trends and ability to mitigate
safety threats has been
instrumental to underpinning the
Force’s overall safety culture.
20 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ
Furthermore, by ensuring a
Safe Operating Environment for
multinational and multiple Unit
and Sub Unit deployments, it
has given aviation commanders
a safe mechanism in which to
train Joint Helicopter Force
personnel to achieve Very High
Combat Readiness; capable of
deploying worldwide in order
to meet UK Defence priorities.
Simply put, Sgt Browning has
energised the Air Safety culture
within 3 Regiment AAC.
LCpl Foulkes was supervisor prior
to an Apache aircraft defuel during
Exercise LIGHTNING FORCE at
Otterburn Training Camp, when
an unexpected and potentially
catastrophic leak occurred. LCpl
Foulkes immediately identified
the potential for a major fuel spill
and took control in a decisive
manner. Noting the rate fuel was
leaking from the aircraft, LCpl
Foulkes swiftly calculated he had
enough equipment to contain
the leak for approximately 30
minutes. Further leakage would
have rendered the Harrier Landing
Strip unusable by airborne
aircraft; a factor LCpl Foulkes
considered whilst formulating a
plan. Conscious that conducting
an immediate defuel would
potentially condemn 12000
litres of fuel in the Oshkosh,
LCpl Foulkes remained calm and
instructed a sediment check to
take place whilst he initiated
the Major Incident Plan and
prepared the major spill kit.
LCpl Foulkes then reported
immediately to the Forward
Arming and Refuel Point (FARP)
Command Post to seek assistance
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
and inform the Squadron
Operations Cell. Remaining calm
throughout, LCpl Foulkes reported
the incident and also provided
a solution by requesting jerry
cans that he knew were located
at Central Stores. Whilst the
jerry cans were being mustered,
LCpl Foulkes returned to the
aircraft and received the all clear
from the sediment check. LCpl
Foulkes then instructed a defuel
to commence in order to remove
the remaining fuel from the leaking
aircraft. Once the tanks were
empty, the fuel leak stopped,
allowing the engineers to remove
and repair the leaking fuel tap.
Through his decisive actions
LCpl Foulkes contained all of the
leaked fuel, recovered 1600 litres
of usable fuel from the aircraft,
maintained the integrity of 12000
litres of fuel in the Oshkosh, all
the while ensuring a functional
Landing Strip for airborne aircraft.
Throughout the incident, LCpl
Foulkes demonstrated strong
leadership, clarity of thought
and made superb use of all the
deployed materiel, facilities
and available personnel.

Past, present and future launch
2016 Poppy Appeal
under a fall of petals
Written By: Maj (Retd) Lee Bower
A
Spanning across at least n idea of Tony
four generations the Goddard, chairman
Commando Helicopter of Wincanton RBL
Force (CHF), the Royal to bridge the old
British Legion and Sea, and past with the new and
Army and Air Cadets tomorrow came to fruition at
launched Somerset’s 2016 RNAS Yeovilton when three local
Royal British Legion Poppy area cadet units, sponsored by
Appeal at CHF’s base in Wincanton RBL were hosted by
RNAS Yeovilton, the home CHF with whom Wincanton RBL
of the Fleet Air Arm. has a strong and developing link.
What started out as a visit to
have a look at a helicopter grew
to a visit of experiences, which
allowed cadets to see, touch,
climb on and meet a variety of
serving personnel in different
trades within CHF. Hosted by
845 Naval Air Squadron, CHF’s
Combat Service Support Unit
and 847 Naval Air Squadron,
the visit by the cadets exceeded
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all expectations but not before
the event grew. First, a Dorset
Army Cadet Force unit that was
scoping a separate visit was
invited to join in. Then two RAF
Air Cadet Squadrons from South
Wales were also invited. The
numbers grew but it didn’t end
there. A plan to use the event
to carry a message towards
Remembrance Day by wearing
poppies changed course when
Adam Brown, RBL Somerset’s
Community Fundraiser found
that the plans for the 2016 Poppy
Appeal Launch had collapsed.
He contacted CHF and asked if
the Poppy Appeal Launch could
piggy-back on the back of the
Cadet Event. That was not a
problem for CHF who relished the
opportunity and agreed. And so it
was that on Thursday, 27 October
PEOPLE
two Welsh ACF units and a
Dorset ACF unit centred on RNAS
Yeovilton to join the Yeovil Sea &
Royal Marines Cadets, Devon &
Somerset Wing Air Cadets and
the Castle Cary & Bruton Army
Cadets. Wincanton RBL members
arrived as did representatives
from the RBL’s Somerset HQ and
two of their Standard Bearers.
During the event the cadets,
CHF’s service personnel and RBL
members paused in reflection
and Somerset’s RBL 2016 Poppy
Appeal Launch took place under
a poignant drop of poppies.
Of note during the day was the
presence of John Pennington a
former serviceman in the Fleet Air
Arm and now Vice Chairman of
Wincanton RBL, and his grandson
William Pennington who is keen
to join the Royal Marines.
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 21
PEOPLE
HEADING

Flag lowering ceremony

marks the end of MEDEVAC
operations in Kenya for the AAC
Written By: Sgt Retief Uys

On Monday the 28th Nov 16, a flag lowering ceremony

took place at Nanyuki Civil Airfield (NCA) in Kenya,
signalling the end of BATUK Aviation Support Squadron
(BASS) and the Army Air Corps’ commitment in Kenya.

T
he ceremony was
hosted by the OC,
Maj Somerville and
attended by Deputy
Commander JHC, Brigadier
Cash and Commander Aviation
Reconnaissance Force, Colonel
Tedman. After a short speech
by Brigadier Cash, the flag was
lowered and a quick photo was
taken before the heavens opened
only in the way it does in Africa!
This marked a significant day
in the history of 669 Sqn AAC
as they handed over control
to Everett Aviation, a civilian
company who will now take on
all Medical Emergency Response
Team (MERT) duties for BATUK.
Set in the foreground of Mt
Kenya, NCA hosted five lynx
Mk 9A helicopters for a period
of 16 months. The “9A” as
nicknamed by the crew, is well
suited for the environment as its
engines were part of an Urgent
Operational Requirement for
the war in Afghanistan. Kenya is

22 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS

AC
considered to be a challenging
and rewarding flying environment,
with the altitude and heat being
the two most significant factors
affecting the way the aircraft
is handled and performs. NCA
itself is at 6500 feet AMSL, with
many areas significantly higher.
As a result and in preparation for
Kenya, the crews practiced dust
landing profiles at their former
home of Dishforth Airfield, as
well as in the simulator to perfect
their technique in a simulated
hot and high environment.
The serious nature of the
Squadron’s role quickly
became evident on arrival
when a 9-liner MEDEVAC request
VISIT: WWW.LZDZONLINE.CO.UK
was received. Sgt Macrory, a
Lynx pilot in BASS, recalls his first
medevac sortie as “an exciting
experience that will stay with me
for long as I live, I felt a big sense
of responsibility to get the injured
soldier to the hospital in Nairobi.”
For many pilots in the Squadron
it was their first flying tour after
their flying training, and it has
proved an invaluable experience
on which to build upon.
FET 3 was the last of three
detachments to deploy to Kenya
to provide essential MEDEVAC
cover during Exercises SPARTAN,
CENTURIAN and WARRIOR. An
impressive total of 109 MEDEVAC
sorties were flown in 16 months,
with patients including BATUK
personnel, dependents and
locally employed civilians. On the
less serious side, Kenya has also
proved to be a once in a lifetime
opportunity to view some of
Africa’s most majestic animals
in their natural habitat. It would
not be uncommon to see at least
four of the “big five” in one of
the numerous training sorties
required to maintain skill levels.
After 30 Nov 16, BASS
personnel have ceased MEDEVAC
and commenced drawdown having
handed over to Everett Aviation,
before returning to the UK for a
well-earned Christmas holiday.
The 669 Sqn motto “machen
wir”, meaning we will do it, was
a true reflection of the relentless
effort by all who served under
her to fulfil the task at hand!
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 23
SAFETY
SAFETY

Meet the Team

JHC AH SAFETY & ASSURANCE
Col James Anderson
E: JHC-SA-AD@mod.uk
T: 01264 381257

JHC SO1 AIR SAFETY

Wg Cdr Russ Norman RAF

m
E: JHC-SA-AirSafety-

ea
SO1@mod.uk

y T
T: 01264 383393

JHC SO1 GROUND SAFETY

afet
S
Mr Brian Bailey

C
E: JHC-SA-Grnd-Safety-

H
SO1@mod.uk elected to hold SCATSTA as

J
T: 01264 383391 their diversion even though they
had no current weather forecast
JHC SO2 FLIGHT SAFETY potentially disastrous outcomes. for that airfield. In the end they
Lt Cdr Stuart ‘Butch’ Cassidy RN In this follow-on article we will conducted a non-precision LOC/
E: JHC-SA-FlightSafety- highlight other lessons identified DME instrument approach with
SO2@mod.uk by the Sumburgh accident, the cloud base reported at the
T: 01264 381534 focussing on the Human aspect Minimum Decent Altitude (MDA)

I
n this ever developing world
JHC SO2 SAFETY POLICY of aviation, the 4 Worlds must
Sqn Ldr Bob Higgins RAF evolve and adapt to understand
E: JHC-SA-SafetyPolicy- how we can best achieve the
SO2@mod.uk required operational output,
T: 01264 381131 doing so as safely as possible. We
titled this and the previous edition
JHC SO2 RISK MANAGEMENT ‘Human/Machine Interface’, using
Sqn Ldr Ben Coleman RAF the unfortunate Sumburgh Super
E: JHC-SA-RiskMgmt- Puma accident as a case study to
SO2@mod.uk help identify some of the issues
T: 01264 381563 aviators face with advancements
in aircraft design and equipment.
JHC SO2 SAFETY POLICY The last article highlighted
& REGULATION issues with crews’ understanding
Sqn Ldr Andy Gray RAF of enhancements in aircraft
E: JHC-SA-SafetyPolicyReg- equipment and the potential to
So2@mod.uk misinterpret what the aircraft is
T: 01264 381514 doing and what you are making
it do, which can then lead to
JHC SO3 RISK MANAGEMENT
Recruiting
E: JHC-SA-RiskMgmt-
SO3@mod.uk
T: 01264 381132
Its not just aircrew who
need to learn from
previous incidents,
it’s all the ‘4 Worlds’.
Whether in the air,
on the ground or at
sea we must remain
vigilant to what we
are doing and what is
happening around us.
CPO CAUSE
of the relationship. We will
examine the thought processes
and behaviours during planning
and operating that continue to
contribute to avoidable mistakes
being made that could lead to
the unfortunate loss of personnel,
aircraft and operating capability.
HUMAN/MACHINE INTERFACE
– SUMBURGH SUPER PUMA
ACCIDENT PART 2
There are two pertinent sayings
in military aviation: “plan the
brief – fly the plan” and “never
pass fuel”. The first is a given
but often ignores the inherent
flexibility that is indeed the key
to air power. The second is one
that while a good mantra perhaps
needs some caveats applied. It
is unfortunately a core element
in the Sumburgh accident.
It probably helps to recap
the facts. A Super Puma was
tasked with routine passenger
transfers some 248 nm NE of
Aberdeen. The original plan
would have allowed a round trip
without refueling but the addition
of an extra passenger at one of
the rigs necessitated an uplift
of fuel during the return leg to
Aberdeen. Having received
an updated weather report for
Sumburgh, they formulated
a plan to proceed there for
a refuel prior to returning to
base. They noted that the
weather was deteriorating and
of 300ft and with some cloud
below that. The method used
to manipulate the digital Aircraft
Flight Control Systems (AFCS)
during the approach effectively
caused the aircraft to enter
vortex ring toward the bottom
of the approach and the aircraft
impacted the sea at low speed
with a high rate of descent.
Without prejudice to the crew,
there are important lessons for
all aircrew in JHC to learn from
this event. In the last article we
articulated the need for the crew
to remain “in the loop” and in
control of the aircraft at all times
even if not physically moving the
flight controls. This issue will
focus on two other factors that
led to the accident and could
still catch crews out today –
1. Fuel/Flight planning
2. Crew Resource
Management (CRM).
These are more Human
focused but are decisions aircrew
make that directly affect the
operation of the machine.

24 ISSUE
24 ISSUE4, 2016 // LZDZ
4,2016 LZDZ THEJHC
THE JHCDELIVERING
DELIVERINGJOINT
JOINTSUCCESS
SUCCESSON
ONOPERATIONS
OPERATIONS
 HEADING

JHC SO3 ASSURANCE

Capt Gavin Bosher AAC
E: JHC-SA-Assurance-
SO3@mod.uk
T: 01264 381151

JHC SO3 ANALYSIS

Ms Eser Brown
E: JHC-SA-SafetyAnalysis-
SO3@mod.uk
T: 01264 381563

JHC SO3 DAEMS

Taking the fuel aspect first: would
you, if Sumburgh were a routine
stop, consider it to be top of your
list of places to take fuel in the
same situation? Whereas, in reality,
Wick and Kirkwall to the south
were far better options, based on
weather and approaches available,
but probably not so frequently
used by the crew. During the
approach, the Captain briefed
the Co-Pilot with words to the
effect of “We will get in off this.”
Was this evidence of deviance or
perhaps a reassuring word based
on previous experience that was
about to be proven tragically
wrong? If the latter, it is a classic
case of the “norms” – indeed
a whole raft of them from the
location, the style of approach,
the selection of an inappropriate
diversion to the confidence
that the plan would work.
It is easy to think harshly of the
crew but do we not all have our
favourite options based on the
services provided, the familiarity
of a location, even the coffee or
the feeder? If tempted is it best
to opt for somewhere known
or somewhere alien? In this
case, military aircrew probably
have little understanding of
the commercial pressures felt
by our civilian brethren.
On the weather aspect, as
military aviators how often is the
weather different from the brief
or pack-up received prior to lift?
Those of you who are unfortunate/
fortunate (delete as appropriate)
enough to have spent too much
time in LFA19 (Northern Ireland)
will know that the difference
between winter and summer
in the area forecast is an extra
100 m in hill fog. Even when
the main part of the forecast is
BLUE (good conditions) all day
they still add the part about hill
fog. Why raise this? The weather
regularly changes and it’s more
often dismissed as environmental
challenges. The military has a
long list of accidents and incidents
caused by “press-on-itis”. While
running out of fuel has not featured
in accidents recently, Controlled
Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) continues
to claim its toll and the report
in this accident recommended
the retro-fitting of Terrain
Awareness Warnings systems
to all commercial helicopters
operating in the North Sea.
So what is the lesson that
we take away from Sumburgh?
The mantra “never pass fuel” is
a good one and is something
that should always be in our
minds but not at the cost of
ignoring the facts. Perhaps more
importantly, have a little more
thought about the diversion
option when planning and be fully
prepared to enact it if need be.
Crew Resource Management
(CRM): Whilst on the subject of
what we might do rather than
what we should do, there was an
obvious breakdown in CRM and
use of SOPs at the bottom of the
instrument approach. Compared
to military rotary operations, in the
civil world there is a much more
prescribed procedure for two crew
operations at the MDA whereby
the handling pilot (HP) calls
“Decision” without looking up
and the non-handling pilot (NHP)
calls the action to be taken. This
did not happen in this case and
no firm decision was achieved and
the aircraft continued to descend
below minima. A key factor to
be understood from the situation
is how much pressure, probably
self-induced, did the crew feel
under to complete the approach?
What is
known is that
having maintained a
constant rate of descent
while reducing their speed
below their target speed for
the approach put them further
from the airfield than they might
have otherwise expected (the
point of impact was 1.7 nm
short of the RWY). The NHP
did prompt the HP about his
height and speed but did not
question the HPs actions. Sadly,
had they levelled at MDA, when
the speed was still above 30
kts, then it is likely the aircraft
would not have entered vortex
ring state, and the accident
would have been avoided.
The AAIB investigation
concluded that the accident
was caused by the crew not
sufficiently monitoring the flight
instruments and because the
crew descended below MDA
without the required references.
Within the contributory factors
they noted that: despite
poorer than forecast weather
conditions, the Captain (and HP)
had not altered his expectation
of being able to land from a
non-precision approach.
We need to continue
to highlight and
study past incidents
so we can learn the
potential pitfalls that
are ever-present in
our operations.
WO1 Ian Fowler
E: JHC-SA-SafetyDAEMS-
SO3@mod.uk
T: 01264 784668
JHC SO3 FIRE SAFETY
WO Christopher Davies
E: JHC-SA-Fire-SO3@mod.uk
T: 01264 381563
JHC SO2 SAFETY CASE 1
Ch47, Pu2, N3 &
Aviation DH Facing
Maj John Osborne Para
E: JHC-SA-SafetyCase1@mod.uk
T: 01264 381135
JHC SO2 SAFETY CASE 2
Me, Lx & WC
Maj Russ Bothwick R Signals
E: JHC-SA-SafetyCase2@mod.uk
T: 01264 381515
JHC SO2 SAFETY CASE 3
AH, Isl/Def & Gz
Maj Jonathan Gilbert REME
E: JHC-SA-SafetyCase3@mod.uk
T: 01264 381472
JHC SO2 SAFETY CASE 4
Sq, Bell 212, WK & UAS
Maj Ant Atkinson-Willes AGC ETS
E: JHC-SA-SafetyCase4@mod.uk
T: 01264 381486
MAJOR MISHAP AAC

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LZDZ ISSUE4,
4,2016 25
201625
SPORTS
HEADING
Benson sporting
superstars announced
Written By: Nikki Hamilton
The winners of the coveted RAF Benson Sports
Personality of the Year Awards have been announced.
N
ominees were
honoured to be
joined by Mr
Gareth Southgate,
tipped to be the next England
manager, as well the Air Officer
Commanding No 2 Group, Air
Vice-Marshal Gavin Parker, who
both presented awards along
with the Station Commander.
The Sports Personality of
the Year award was presented
to Corporal Craig Lenane;
captain of the cricket team
who led a transition in the
team’s performance from a
collection of individuals to a
professional, well-motivated
group of cricketers.
The Most Valued Person
award was presented to Flight
Sergeant Jon Radcliffe;
Chairman of the Benson Lions
Football Club who has been
instrumental in the development
of a thriving, professional and
26 ISSUE 4, 2016 / LZDZ
successful club that serves
the whole community.
The Best Newcomer
award was presented to
Senior Aircraftman Siobhan
Wasyliw; new to powerlifting
yet already crowned Best
Female Lifter overall at the RAF
championships thanks to her
impeccable approach to training.
The Coach of the Year award
was presented to Sergeant
Craig Moorhouse; coach to
the Benson Lion Cubs Under
11s who has developed the
youngsters into a champion team
while extending his support to
the whole Lion Cubs family.
The Long Service to Sport
award was presented to Flight
Sergeant Matt Larkin; the
current Men’s Overall Water-
ski champion who has been
skiing for over 40 years and
has continually played an
active role in the sport.
The Team of the Year award
was presented to the Running
and Athletics team; winners of
the President’s Cup and inter-
Station event as well as inter-
Service victories and hosting
hugely successful cross country
and road race events at Benson.
Gareth Southgate was
genuinely delighted to be
able to attend the awards
ceremony and personnel truly
appreciated that he took time
from his busy schedule to ensure
that military sporting heroes
were recognised. Air Vice-
Marshal Parker was visiting the
Station for the second time in
two days after conducting the
Annual Formal Inspection the
day before. A keen sportsman
himself, the AVM said: “My
heartiest congratulations to
all the winners. The thing
that struck me about all of the
nominations is the level of effort
THE JHC DELIVERING JOINT SUCCESS ON OPERATIONS
and commitment; the selflessness
from you all. As a result of your
efforts we all live a richer life
because this is what service life
is all about; it’s about the other
people that you work with and
the things that we do that you
don’t always get to do outside of
the service. You should be very
proud of your nominations.”
Group Captain Hamish
Cormack, Station Commander
RAF Benson, said: “Our sports
awards are one of the highlights
of the year. It is important
that we formally recognise the
achievements of those who go
above and beyond to excel in
their chosen sport. Regardless of
their role in sport, the teamwork,
discipline, professionalism
and tenacity required directly
transfers to their day jobs. All
our award winners should be
rightly proud of their fantastic
achievements. Those who did
not win but were nominated
should also take satisfaction
from the fact that someone
recognised their dedication and
commitment, and therefore took
the time and effort to write them
up for consideration. Selecting
the winners was a tremendously
hard choice, and a genuine
pleasure not a chore.”

Northern Premier
League Football
Academy (Leek Town)
Written By: Flt Lt Nic McNamee
In October, a group of 16-18 year-olds from the
Leek Town Northern Premier League Football
Academy (NPLFA) were hosted by Tactical Supply
Wing (TSW) for a community engagement day.
T
he event had numerous
aims, but was chiefly
designed to provide a
fun yet educational day
for young footballers in the local
Staffordshire Community, with
the primary emphasis being on
developing areas such as teamwork,
communication and physical fitness.
The event also aimed to showcase
some of the roles and career
opportunities available in the RAF.
The day started with a
very military 0745 arrival at
CHF Merlin Conducts
Deck Landings on FS Tonnerre
I
n preparation for deployments
next year 845 NAS were
able to conduct some Deck
Landing Practice on-board
the FS Tonnerre, one of three
Mistral Class LHD’s. The aircraft
was delivering personnel as part
of a Recce party planning for
deployments next year, and took
the opportunity to use the deck
as it was available. The aircraft
spent 3 hours conducting not
only their own training but useful
training for the Ship’s Air Traffic
Controllers and Deck Personnel.
The ship is normally used to
operating lighter helicopters
so the opportunity to have a
merlin flying from the deck
made for valuable training. “The
procedures for this ship whilst
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MOD Stafford, which arguably
represented the greatest
challenge for many of the
teenage young men. However,
Sgt Nick Dawood and Cpl Daz
Poole from the Stoke AFCO
soon got them going with a
series of activities delivered
in a series of entertaining
outdoor personal development
activities focusing on teamwork,
leadership and communication.
Next up was the Obstacle
Course at the nearby Swynnerton
similar are subtly different from
those of UK ships, so meant that
we had to keep on our game”
said Lt Peter Crease, one of the
pilots flying the aircraft that day
“and certainly operating from
the front spot on the ship made
for a very different view to what
we are used to, given there is
only about 10 feet in front of the
nose before the ship ends.”
In total the aircraft flew for a
little over 3 hours on the partner
nations ship, and conducted in the
order of 20 deck landings and 5
instrument approaches. Moreover
the recce party gained a lot from
the visit, not least an extremely nice
meal in the French Wardroom. The
visit was summed up well by Lt Cdr
Tom Burrows 845NAS Ops Officer
Training Area. TSW’s Physical
Training Instructor (PTI) Corporal
Doug McAll put the players
through their paces over this
challenging course which brought
out many of their personalities,
fears and team spirit. Individuals
were guided patiently through
each obstacle and given expert
advice and reasoning to relate
these tasks to military duties.
As the course progressed the
players became more vocal in
showing their support to each
other and positively encouraging
their teammates to achieve the
task. Fun was certainly had by all.
With spirits high and the
players refuelled with packed
lunches, then followed the TSW
capability demonstration, where
the airmen and airwomen of the
unit explained to the players
how TSW supply aviation fuel
to Battlefield Helicopters.
This ranged from a brief on
TSW’s specialist parachute
cadre, through to letting the
players look around the 40-Ton
Oshkosh off-road tanker.
Conveniently, TSW were able
to aptly demonstrate their role
of supporting helicopters when
a 705 Squadron Squirrel aircraft
from nearby RAF Shawbury flew
in for a live refuel, whilst out
“[845 NAS] recently conducted the
first ever CHF Merlin deck landings
on FS Tonnerre. This represents
an excellent opportunity for
training between the Royal Navy
and Marine Nationale, paving
the way ahead for some exciting
deployments in 2017.”
SPORTS
conducting a routine training
mission. The pilot also gave the
players a tour inside the squirrel
and provided an insight into life
as a pilot and RAF Officer. As a
keen RAF footballer, the pilot
was also able to highlight the
opportunities in the RAF to play
football at a high standard as
well as having a fulfilling career.
The afternoon was finished off
back at MOD Stafford with the
TSW PTI giving the players yet
another challenging activity with
a ‘super stars’ circuits course. The
determination and physical fitness
of the team were put to the test
and the competitive nature of
these young men certainly came
to the fore, as they battled it out
in pairs for the fastest times.
The event was viewed as a
highly successful and rewarding
day by all. The NPLFA Head Coach
John Mayer thanked the RAF
for their efforts and stated how
is team had left with an insight
into RAF careers opportunities,
alternative ideas to fitness training
and a greater understanding
into teamwork and leadership.
Many thanks are owed to all
involved in what made this day
successful, upholding a strong
positive relationship between the
RAF and the community.
OPERATIONS
LZDZ / ISSUE 4, 2016 27