The Chinook Force has been called in to assist at a pumping station near Doncaster following heavy rainfall, say the RAF.
“The team dropped 40 tonnes of aggregate at specific points to ensure flood defences could continue to work properly.
The RAF Chinook flown by 18(B) Sqn was called in late on Sunday 10 Nov by the environment agency to move 40 tonnes of aggregate from a local quarry on to an inaccessible spit of land in order for their engineers to bolster drainage channels and improve the flow of water into the designated flood plains East of Bentley.
Not a stranger to being called to support local authorities, the Chinook with its immense lift was able to move all the aggregate in 10 sorties, stopping for a refuel after the first 12 tonnes. Expertly assisted by a team from the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron from RAF Benson, the loads were moved with precision utilising the underslung load capability of the aircraft.”
Speaking from Silver Command, Flt Lt Warr said:
“The Chinook was requested to support a very specific task, the movement of aggregate onto a small spit of land cut off from the main routes. This was to assist local agencies with their heavy plant bolster flood defences. The crew from Odiham and team from JHSS have done a fantastic job, working at night in a confined space with precision to deliver safely everything that was asked of them.
RAF Chinook crews regularly train at night for just such situations, ensuring they can operate safely in even the most testing environments.”
I just get the feeling military assets of the future will be multi-purpose from the initial design process. We know that many naval vessels can split their operations, and that applies to the new carriers too! However, the MOD will be asking for other government departments to contribute a proportion of their budgets, if the issue of climate change is to be seriously addressed? Emergency contingency budgets from the central government will not be the rational long term solution.
I am always staggered at how slowly the other Government departments ask for military assistance?
Funny, the millitary budget is not gospel, we get told they spend 2% hahaha, but when you look into it they play with the figures and lie!, We have almost half of our total assets from 15 years ago! Ok two thirds, Some half. We have to spend more not less! And it’s a government choice to have a self made black hole! It’s a deliberate made black hole so we have to buy and operate less!! It’s a dam joke, we need a government that’s going to spend what’s needed on defence.