RAF Leeming has hosted Exercise Hades Warrior, marking the first time rotary assets from the Joint Aviation Command (JAC) have come together under the Aviation Task Force (Support Helicopter) Headquarters (ATF(SH)), according to a press release.
The exercise brought together various aircraft, including Apache helicopters from 7 Army Air Corps, Chinooks from 27 Squadron RAF Odiham, Merlins from the Commando Helicopter Force, and Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron.
More than 200 pilots, aircrew, and ground support staff participated, conducting daily sorties across northern England and Scotland.
Wing Commander Green, OC 22 Squadron, spoke of the exercise’s importance: āExercise Hades Warrior promised a fantastic opportunity to enhance JAC capability and readiness by refreshing, honing, and enhancing high-end warfighting skills.ā He noted that the exercise successfully met its objectives due to the collective efforts of various units.
The exercise also served as the primary training event for the JAC Qualified Weapons Instructor (Helicopter) (QWI(H)) course, aimed at developing the next generation of rotary tactics instructors.
Flight Lieutenant Nicholson from ATF(SH) HQ said the exercise was a crucial opportunity for joint training, mentioning its importance in preparing for future operations: āā¦it was a vital occasion to exploit joint training opportunities for all Force Enablers and C2 functions.ā
Exercise Hades Warrior facilitated cooperation with British Army units, including the Guards Training Company, Infantry Training Company, and 1 Royal Lancers.
In their news release, the RAF add that operational support units also played a significant role. Tactical Supply Wing from MOD Stafford delivered over 200,000 kilograms of fuel to various locations, including RAF Spadeadam.
Additionally, 244 Signals Unit and the Mission Support Team from RAF Benson provided satellite communications, secure communications, and essential Wi-Fi connectivity.
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Very timelyā¦..
I went solo on jets at Leeming during my failed attempt to become an RAF pilot so mixed memories for me ^.^
At least you tried! That is a big step forwards from the armchairā¦.
Colin- getting to solo is a major milestone achievement – well done! Did things come undone on instrument flying (pardon me asking).
No, I was OK on that for as long as I was there, I would have to say it was my mentality/mental strength. When I was failed I was told I just needed to be a bit more ‘accurate’. I stupidly asked what happened if I failed again and was told that I would be out ^.^. I had a beautiful young wife, one child and another on the way and I fell apart so probably right that I had to leave.
cheers for that Colin. I can well understand your thinking. I was washed on solo check on Harvards in the SAAF. Found the experience stressful and suffered a bit of anxiety. To their credit, they allowed me to re-muster as a Navigator – I politely declined. ļ»æšļ»æ
If you had been a black, Islamic woofda you could have been
a general today..
Do we have any Chinooks with AAR capability?
Seems a shame if we don’t.
Sadly no ,however the latest version for the RAF Chinooks do have a better range which helps in our special forces.But no AAR capability in all our Helicopter force . Don’t think HMG government have any ambition for this capability š
Yes and no. Ali the Mk5 Chinooks have the internal plumbing for the external fuel probe. If I remember correctly we bought a single probe for trails. However the issue was that the refilling kit for the Hercās was allowed to lapse. So no further trials took place. The six RAF Merlin HC3As bought off the Danish. Also had the capability as an option. But this I believe this was removed, as there were no aircraft that the Merlin could tank from in RAF service. The new āfat tankā Chinooks that will replace the original Model C aircraft, will also… Read more Ā»
Considering the RAF Heritage of Op Black Buck and the urgent need to restore a2a refuelling hardware from a museum I really wonder what if anything was thought about in reaching these decisions against the refuelling equipment…
Bizarre that aircraft and aircrew safety is not a greater priority.
I think at the time, they didnāt consider long range insertions by helicopter as part of the plan. The main drive for the extended range Chinooks is to support the SF lot. Which came about due to how much space the internal ferry tanks take up. Which therefore cuts down the number of pax and any vehicles/boats you can carry. The new extended range Chinooks will be closer to the US Armyās model G. There was talk that because our SF and the USās operate and integrate so closely, it would be beneficial for the UK to operate the same/similar… Read more Ā»
Thanks, interesting reply.
Hi anyone help with this question? I’m currently working about a mile away from the Donnanook ranges. Last night about 00.00 four turbo props in close formation flew over my diggs. Sounded too small for A400 any ideas?
Shadow? Or something else hush hush under test from Warton?
Possible, they were very low.
If there was only one, but 4?
That’s half the Shadow fleet.
Question answered. A local said it was a training flight from Cranwell. Happens a lot apparently.
Ahh, so a Grob Prefect T1. Interesting they flew as a group and at night low over Donna Nook.