Posted on 08/30/2007 8:43:40 AM PDT by Rikstir
As the Army Air Corps prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this week many of their number are currently deployed on operations in southern Afghanistan, where flying dangerous missions is an everyday occurrence.
The Army Air Corps was formed on 1 September 1957. Its personnel and aircraft have seen service in every major conflict over the past fifty years; Malaya, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Balkans, Iraq and now in Afghanistan.
For those members of the Corps serving in Afghanistan today, most of whom are based at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Army Air Corps is an important part of their history and heritage.
The Army Air Corps flies two types of helicopter in Afghanistan - the Lynx and the Apache attack helicopter. The Apache, the only attack helicopter in service with the Army Air Corps, is believed to be one of the most technologically advanced military helicopters in the world. The support it provides to soldiers fighting on the ground has proven to be battle winning time after time. Capable of operating day and night, it carries an array of optical sights allowing it to stand off from the battle.
The Lynx is the British Army's utility helicopter, its size and speed making it an ideal aircraft for the delivery and collection of passengers and stores from some of the small frontline bases which British troops occupy. It has, on occasion, been called in by troops on the ground to use its firepower to help them defeat the Taliban.
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Excellent pics!
The Westland Lynx is the fastest helicopter in the world and the Westland Apache is the fastest Apache, it’s Rolls Royce RTM322 engines producing 25% more power than the GE T700’s in the US versions. I hear the US wants to buy the Rolls Royce engines to upgrade their Apaches now.
B-17 Flying Fortress???? I dont know if you ‘take it for a spin’, or just strap in and hope all goes well!!!
you pics are bigger and better...
you win this round Britemp, but I will be back!
Intersting fact about the power output of our Westland Apaches. They are necessary pieces of equipment, and probably the best thing to hit the Army since US ration packs...
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