RAF Brize Norton Air Mobility Force has begun deploying service personnel from all three services to Norway for the annual Exercise CLOCKWORK cold weather training in Northern Norway.
The deployment will see a RAF Globemaster C-17, A400M, Hercules C-130 and Voyager aircraft transport personnel and equipment to Bardufoss Air Base in Norway to conduct this training. The airbase is north of the Arctic circle and is strategically placed on NATO’s high north frontier.
This is the C-17’s first use on this exercise and allows the transportation of Joint Helicopter Force helicopters such as the Apache to take part in the extreme cold weather training. During the exercise, the aircraft will be exercised in a war fighting role in a part of the country where temperatures can fall to lows of -30°c.
Exercise CLOCKWORK is the name given to the UK Armed Forces' annual Winter Deployment to the Arctic Circle in Norway with the objective to prepare all three services for the most unforgiving conditions experienced in this region.
"The C-17 gives the RAF the strategic capability to transport large equipment, such as an Apache over long distances, that in turn can be rapidly deployed. It is all about adding flexibility to succeed on operations."
Wing Commander Essex
Officer Commanding 99 Squadron
