Armée de Terre Helicopters 16/04/2013

[paulk]

Noted this morning at 1000L were the following, Were parked by the museum carpark.

Gazelles
3546/GJF
3863/GAM
3947/GAS
4166/GJZ
4189/GCN
4198/GCQ

Puma
1093/DCG Sand Camo

HTH
Paul

[mikee115]

Does anybody know what there movements will be over the next few days? Hoping they head to Benson so i can see them.

Thanks
Mike

[Richard B]

Are they doing any night flying.

[Thunderflight]

Are these based at m wallop or just passing
They were seen near sennybridge in South Wales routing back east - having already been at Exeter
Any ideas on location plz

[Goldstar31]

Only 5 Gazelles and the Puma present at 1430L 17th, they are

Gazelles
3546/GJF
4189/GCN
3947/GAS
4166/GJZ
4198/GCQ

Puma
1093/DCG Sand Camo

Cheers

Eccie

[Goldstar31]

At 1555L Gazelle 3863/GAM has been towed out to join the rest of the French

Cheers

Eccie

[fen]

Cheers for the updates. Probably a waste of time this but has anyone any idea if they'll be there in the morning (18/04) and if they're leaving them outside? I'm after all but one of these so it's well worth the visit for me. I can be there for 07:30 tomorrow but don't want a wasted journey especially after a night shift.

Any response appreciated.

Thanks

[RickIngham]

Get down there fairly early Fen

[SCARECROW]

Heard they are overflyng London via the Heli routes and visiting Duxford AM Thursday.

[retreatingblade]

Are these based at m wallop or just passing
They were seen near sennybridge in South Wales routing back east - having already been at Exeter
Any ideas on location plz

They're at MW until Friday 19/4

RB

[Goldstar31]

According to an MOD press release, all 6 Gazelles and the Puma are due to depart Thursday morning, 18th, routing along H3 into London then onto Duxford.

MOD Press Release 043/2013
17 17 April 2013
French Army Helicopters to Fly through London

As part of the ongoing development of interoperability between the UK and French
armed forces the Army Air Corps has invited a contingent of French Helicopters
to the UK to take part in training and exercises over the latter half of April.

2012 saw significant progress in the development of the Combined Joint
Expeditionary Force (CJEF), the Exchange Officer programme, bilateral exercises,
communications and information systems (CIS) interoperability and equipment
co-operation. Exercise CORSICAN LION in October was the year's highly successful
flagship bilateral event and highlighted the significant level of
interoperability that has developed between the UK and French armed forces since
the signing of the Lancaster House Treaty in 2010. Following our successful
co-operation in Libya, the UK's current support for the French intervention in
Mali is a further tangible demonstration of our strong commitment to the aims of
the Treaty and is providing another valuable opportunity to develop operational
interoperability between our armed forces

As part of the MOD initiative to increase UK military cooperation with our
French counterparts, the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop will be hosting a
contingent from the French 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment (ALAT)(French Army Air
Corps) to visit for the week 15-19 April13. The visit will provide the
opportunity to exchange ideas, tactical knowledge and operational experience.
During their visit, the French aircraft will conduct UK airspace familiarisation
flying in order to grasp a better understanding of the UK Low Flying System and
its associated regulations as well as undertaking navigation training around
southern England and Wales. This will then be reinforced by a week of tactical
support flying, in a realistic tactical environment on Ex Joint Warrior.

The detachment comprises of 6 x Gazelle Light helicopters, 1 x Puma Support
helicopter and a total of 32 personnel (mix of aircrew and engineers).

Weather permitting, on the morning of Thursday 18 April13 a formation of 6
Gazelles and 1 Puma from the French ALAT will fly along the heli-lanes through
central London, routing from Bagshot over Richmond Park to Barnes, from Barnes
Bridge along the line of the River Thames to the Isle of Dogs, then departing
London up the Lee Valley over flying the Olympic Park, finishing at the Imperial
War Museum at Duxford near Cambridge. The formation will be led by a British
Army Squirrel helicopter from 670 Squadron Army Air Corps. Fitting around other
air traffic movements from Heathrow and London City Airports, the formation is
expected to pass Westminster Bridge between 1030 and 1050 at a height of between
800 feet and 1500 feet.


Cheers

Eccie

[eagle driver]

does anyone one know if these frrench are back at m wallop and whether or not they are being left outside over the weekend

[retreatingblade]

They have returned to France.

RB

[PeteHemsley]

Are you sure? They were supposed to be tasking in the JW exercise