Friday 31st July 2015 saw an historic moment for the British Army Air Corps (AAC), with the retirement of the Westland Lynx AH.7 helicopter. The Lynx has been a key asset to the AAC for just over 38 years, having first taken to the skies in June 1977 as a Lynx AH.1. Throughout the long and illustrious career of the Lynx, it has seen service in over 22 active conflicts including Operation Agricola in Kosovo, Operation Banner in Northern Island and more recently Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. It has been in service with 17 different AAC squadrons as well as being operated by numerous other users – both within the UK (including the Empire Test Pilot School/ rotary wing test and evaluation squadron) and overseas with foreign forces. Mark Empson was at AAC Middle Wallop to see the final day of the Lynx AH.7’s active flying career.
