Armed personnel shielded their eyes from the dust as the battlefield helicopters swooped down out of the sky, ready to pick up a patrol on a reconnaissance mission to monitor enemy activity.

But this was not Afghanistan; this was Salisbury Plain, and Exercise Intrepid Owl, helping to train Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) personnel to cope with the demands of deployment.

Run by 606 (Chiltern) Squadron based at Royal Air Force Benson, the three day exercise replicated the tasks and situations military helicopters and their support personnel could face whilst on operations. Under these field conditions 7644 (VR) Public Relations Squadron deployed and ran a Press Information Centre (PIC) hosting press and radio journalists embedded on the Exercise. Alongside the 100 staff, ranging from chefs to aircrew, Joint Helicopter Command provided 1 Merlin and 2 Pumas from 28 (Army Co-operation) and 33 Squadrons, RAF Benson, and a Royal Navy Sea King from 846 Squadron, RNAS Yeovilton. As well as generating features and stories on the 100 staff taking part, 7644’s officers helped train 606 staff in dealing with the media, something they may well face in Afghanistan.

Pilot Officer Lesley Woods accompanied a Jack FM radio presenter and photographer on a 12km reconnaissance patrol with RAF Regiment Gunners. “As a media team, we were assigned a Corporal for our personal protection. As we completed the patrol, we were recording radio interviews and capturing photographs, all whilst the Regiment had to achieve their objectives. Having embedded media with them when coming under simulated enemy fire was an added challenge!” Corporal Mark Goodchild explained their role. “We are exercising the ability to recce suitable helicopter landing and re-fuelling sites and then secure these sites from possible enemy action. Working with and alongside helicopters is what we do.”

Officer Commanding 606, Squadron Leader Gary Lane, talked about the benefits of the exercise. “This has provided personnel the opportunity to develop their trade training in a real field environment. We are replicating living in the field conditions on a bare base, so that the challenges faced are representative of those that personnel will face in Afghanistan. It’s all about preparation and team work – deploying the necessary kit and working together for the exercise to run smoothly”.

606 (Chiltern) Squadron exists to provide trained reservist staff able to support the work of Joint Helicopter Command and is unique in the RAuxAF as they have several trades all together in one Squadron - they can offer a complete support team to a helicopter and its crew. Squadron personnel have been deployed to Afghanistan since the start of the military operation, and will be sending another 2 members in early 2010 to join the 6 currently serving out there. In addition they provide support to exercises both in the UK and abroad as personnel continuously train to be ready for deployment.