RAF Chinook helicopters have been conducting intensive maritime and amphibious training in western Scotland, with multiple aircraft from RAF Odiham operating out of Oban Airport over the past several days, the airport confirmed on social media.
Oban Airport described it as “a busy few days for the Chinook force,” adding that crews had been “training hard in maritime and amphibious operations, vital skills for missions around the world.” The training forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Royal Air Force’s heavy-lift and expeditionary air mobility capabilities, particularly in support of joint operations with the Royal Navy and British Army.
Oban Airport said it was “amazing to host this kind of exercise,” highlighting the value of regional facilities for supporting Defence training and readiness. The training is understood to have included take-off and landing drills, load-handling, and coordination with ground units simulating amphibious operations.
The Boeing Chinook is the UK’s primary heavy-lift helicopter. Derived from the U.S. Army’s CH-47 Chinook, the RAF fleet is the largest outside the United States and has been in service since the early 1980s. Based mainly at RAF Odiham in England, the Chinook provides logistical and transport support across the British armed forces. As of 2025, the RAF operates 54 Chinooks, with the type expected to remain in service into the 2040s.
The helicopter has played a major role in numerous British military operations, beginning with the Falklands War in 1982. It supported missions in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian efforts such as the delivery of food and supplies to Kurdish refugees after the 1991 Gulf War.
In March 2024, the Ministry of Defence confirmed plans to acquire 14 new Chinook Block II Extended Range helicopters for £1.4 billion. Designated Chinook HC7, these aircraft will replace the RAF’s oldest models and feature double the operational range. They are expected to enhance the UK’s special operations capability while extending the longevity of the Chinook’s role within the RAF’s air mobility fleet.
