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13/01/2010
RAF Chinook Fleet Boosted
The Royal Air Force's fleet of Chinooks was boosted by the arrival of two new Mk3s today.
These are the first of eight new aircraft to be delivered to RAF Odiham this year.
The Chinooks have been modified by Boeing and now have more powerful engines, enabling them to deploy to Afghanistan to boost air support on the frontline.
Welcoming the Mk3s, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "They will provide an uplift in capability to support coalition efforts in Afghanistan, where Chinooks fly under very challenging conditions, proving their worth daily on operations.
"By the end of this year we expect to have all eight of these refitted aircraft in service, increasing our Chinook fleet to 46 aircraft."
He said their arrival is further evidence of the measures being taken to strengthen Support Helicopter force.
It followsan announcement three weeks ago that the Government plans to buy up to 22 more Chinooks.
Commander of Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said: "These aircraft will be vital in helping us expand our ability to train our crews and to support operations."
The Mk3 Chinooks will gradually join the routine rotation of aircraft through operational deployment in Afghanistan, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
(PR/BMcC)
These are the first of eight new aircraft to be delivered to RAF Odiham this year.
The Chinooks have been modified by Boeing and now have more powerful engines, enabling them to deploy to Afghanistan to boost air support on the frontline.
Welcoming the Mk3s, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "They will provide an uplift in capability to support coalition efforts in Afghanistan, where Chinooks fly under very challenging conditions, proving their worth daily on operations.
"By the end of this year we expect to have all eight of these refitted aircraft in service, increasing our Chinook fleet to 46 aircraft."
He said their arrival is further evidence of the measures being taken to strengthen Support Helicopter force.
It followsan announcement three weeks ago that the Government plans to buy up to 22 more Chinooks.
Commander of Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, said: "These aircraft will be vital in helping us expand our ability to train our crews and to support operations."
The Mk3 Chinooks will gradually join the routine rotation of aircraft through operational deployment in Afghanistan, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
(PR/BMcC)
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