PUMA HELICOPTERS TRAINING IN NORTHERN ENGLAND
Three Puma helicopters from RAF Benson will be operating at RAF Woodvale from 6-10 July 2020 to conduct essential training for crews during Exercise KUKRI DAWN.
The Exercise is the final part of the operational flying phase of the Puma training course run by 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson; the Operational Conversion Unit for the Puma and Chinook Forces. They will primarily be operating in the Lake District but may also be seen in the Liverpool and Manchester areas.
The course qualifies pilots and crewmen to operate the Puma helicopter on Operations within the UK and when deployed overseas. This is essential training providing key skills that will be required when they graduate from the Operational Conversion Unit and are posted to a front-line helicopter squadron. The operational phase of the course is the culmination of months of training by the six students and, all being well, will see them return to RAF Benson ready to graduate.
They will be flying during RAF Woodvale’s normal operating hours of 0830 to 1800hrs, with no night flying expected. At times, the Puma helicopters will be operating in pairs and training in urban environments, both of which are key skills the crews require when deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation TORAL, as well as fulfilling National Standby commitments in the UK.
The Puma helicopters will sometimes be fitted with General Purpose Machine Guns in the cabin doors; however, they will not be armed and will not be carrying any ammunition. It is for training purposes only for the crew operating in the cabin.
RAF Woodvale provides an excellent forward operating base for the Puma Force. It also provides additional support to the training being undertaking by introducing the crews to operating in unfamiliar surroundings and a different environment.
