A powerful force of British and French helicopters has taken off to start a major exercise that will show their readiness for NATO combat operations.
A formation of 24 Apache, Chinook, Gazelle, and Wildcat helicopters lifted off from Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk after taxiing together along the runway.
This week’s manoeuvre is called an ‘elephant walk’ by military aviators and serves as a demonstration of strength, readiness, and teamwork.
Brigadier Nick English, Commander of 1st Aviation Brigade, said: “An elephant walk is a striking demonstration of strength and readiness. Preparing four different types of aircraft to fly together is a significant engineering and logistical achievement. It proves to us and to potential adversaries that we have the teamwork and coordination needed for real-world combat operations.
“Exercise Pinion Titan marks the end of a modernisation programme started when 1st Aviation Brigade was formed in 2020. Every one of our soldiers, vehicles, and helicopters is going into the field for us to test our capabilities together. We will be working closely with the RAF, our French and US allies, and integrating cutting-edge technologies such as drones and advanced communications systems.
“This exercise demonstrates that 1st Aviation Brigade is one of NATO’s most capable and ready formations, prepared to defend the UK and our allies.”
A period of initial training at Wattisham will see the multinational force form up as two battlegroups, led by 3 and 4 Regiments Army Air Corps. A team of planning officers from the US 12th Combat Aviation Brigade will be working with 4 Regt AAC.
The troops will then travel to set up bases across northern England to fly and maintain helicopters from. Co-ordinated by the brigade headquarters, both battlegroups will plan and carry out simulated missions that will see helicopters flying all the way from the Scottish Highlands to Salisbury Plain.
In deep strike operations, Apache and Gazelle attack helicopters will fly far behind enemy lines to hit targets such as artillery and supply depots. Destroying these makes the fight easier for soldiers on the front line.
Air assault operations will see Chinook support helicopters from the RAF’s 18 Squadron lift paratroopers and equipment into action, with Apaches and Gazelles flying as escorts.
The sophisticated sights and sensors of Wildcat reconnaissance helicopters, from 1 Regiment Army Air Corps, will seek out information about the enemy to shape the planning and execution of missions.
The Brigade Support Force – made up of 7 Aviation Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 158 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps – will keep the battlegroups supplied with everything from rations to ammunitions and provide specialist maintenance and engineering support.
The French troops operating Gazelles, which fly reconnaissance and attack missions, are from 3e Régiment d’Hélicoptères de Combat.
This exercise is the latest example of joint warfighting activity as part of the deepening defence and security partnership between the UK and France. It follows the refresh of the Lancaster House Treaties in July, which saw both nations commit to working more closely on nuclear, cyber and conventional capabilities to tackle new threats to collective security.
Capitaine Damien, commander of the French contingent, said: “We are very proud to participate in this major exercise, which is a great opportunity to enhance our operational readiness.
“For most of the soldiers, it is their first time working with allied forces, but we can see that France and Britain share a common military culture. This will lead to smooth integration and the development of a joint force with solid tactical capabilities.”
Image: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
