Atlas crosses continent to parachute in supplies over Morocco

A Royal Air Force Atlas transport aircraft has flown from Oxfordshire to Morocco to parachute essential supplies to British soldiers on the ground, in what the RAF say here is the longest-range airdrop performed by the RAF’s Atlas Force.

According to a news release:

“The Atlas C1 (A400M) departed from RAF Brize Norton and a few hours later was 1,400 miles away dropping multiple packages to a small drop zone near Marrakech. Once on the ground the packages, known as Container Delivery Systems or CDS, were collected by paratroopers from the British Army’s 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, known as 2 Para, as part of Exercise Jebel Sahara.”

Flight Lieutenant Kay, Co-pilot, was quoted as saying: 

“The large and agile Atlas was operated by pilots and load masters from 30 and LXX Squadrons based RAF Brize Norton. This is the first long-range insertion of Container Delivery Systems by Atlas, showing the aircraft’s reach and speed, and its capability to deliver large and heavy cargo to a precise coordinate without landing.

We can deliver wherever help is needed, such as humanitarian aid, flood relief, or in this case, military resupply. Sometimes to deliver by road or sea would take too long or is just not possible, and Atlas has the ability to deliver over long distances, quickly and with precision.”

The RAF add that the three-week exercise near Marrakesh has “provided an opportunity for the paratroopers to learn from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces’ experience of operating in the hot, dry and demanding conditions of the desert. In return, 2 Para have shared their hard-earned skills in patrolling, both on foot and in vehicles, as well as marksmanship, demolitions and casualty care.”

You can read more from the RAF here.