Apaches take off for Estonia
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson bid farewell to Army aviators as they took off for Estonia, where they will be training alongside NATO forces working to reassure our allies and deter our adversaries.
Apache helicopters at Wattisham Flying Station ahead of a three month deployment to the Baltics
3 Regiment Army Air Corps is deploying to the Baltics for three months, with Apache attack helicopters of 663 Squadron taking off from their base at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk today.
皇冠体育app Apaches will be working in tandem with the Army鈥檚 Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance helicopters to provide valuable training opportunities to NATO allies on Estonia鈥檚 annual Exercise Spring Storm and to the UK-led battlegroup deployed on NATO鈥檚 enhanced Forward Presence (eFP).
Before the Apaches departed from Wattisham, the Defence Secretary spoke with the soldiers who fly and maintain the aircraft to understand more about its capabilities and their mission.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
皇冠体育app first deployment of Apache helicopters to Estonia underlines our position at the forefront of NATO. This is a world class machine operated by world class Army aviators and this deployment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to NATO鈥檚 collective defence.
皇冠体育app helicopter deployment will boost the UK鈥檚 presence in the Baltics 鈥� known as Operation CABRIT - to around 1,000 personnel, making the UK the largest contributor to eFP. 皇冠体育app Wildcat鈥檚 surveillance ability combined with the Apache鈥檚 sensors and weaponry will be a step change in troops鈥� capabilities to detect, track and engage targets during the exercises they participate in.
Major Dave Lambert, Officer Commanding 663 Sqn, said:
皇冠体育app deployment to Estonia is a fantastic opportunity for the Squadron to challenge itself. It will test how we deploy and operate overseas, develop our operational partnership with the Wildcat and our ability to work alongside our NATO allies. Everyone in the Squadron 鈥� from ground crew to pilots - has worked hard to prepare for Estonia, and we鈥檙e looking forward to establishing ourselves in theatre and contributing to NATO鈥檚 Enhanced Forward Presence.