3 minute read
Ex Inua Askari
The two main rotors create a lot of downward thrust, allowing the Chinook to lift heavy loads. A fully loaded aircraft can carry up to 6000kg of fuel, possibly 7000kg of payload with a shorter endurance and come in at a total all-up weight of 24,000kg depending on the environment, Flt Lt Patrick said.
“To put that into perspective, the previous aircraft I flew, the A109s, total all-up weight is just over 3000kg. This clearly makes the Chinook one very capable platform and why, I personally believe, it's still being used today after just passing 40 years of service with the Royal Air Force.
EX INUA ASKARI The Pumas return to Kenya! PURPOSE
Written By: Sgt Dixon, 230 Sqn, RAF Benson
Having finally made it onto the Puma Force in 2016 as a newly qualified rearcrew, my highest priority (aside from achieving the coveted
‘Combat Ready’ status) was to get out and see the world.
Over the next few years my ambition was fulfilled as I had the opportunity to deploy with the Puma to numerous locations including
North America, Afghanistan,
France, and Oman, not to mention travelling the length and breadth of the UK. Throughout this time however, one country remained out of reach… Kenya
Throughout my five years on the frontline, I had been on the receiving end of many ‘dits’ (stories) regarding times long past, deployments of old, and legendary sorties, mostly relating to this seemingly illusive country. So, unsurprisingly, when it was announced that the Pumas would be returning, I put my name forward (and went home to watch the Lion King on repeat).
The mission in Kenya was twofold; support the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in its delivery of light infantry desert training to Army personnel, whilst also conducting our own flying training to qualify (and re-qualify) Puma Aircrew in the skills necessary to operate in the desert – one of the most demanding flying environments.
The flying in Kenya exceeded expectations. The southern Californian desert, where I had previously conducted desert flying training, was extremely arid, flat, and devoid of life, and sits in stark contrast to the Kenyan landscape; mountain ranges, dense forests, terracotta sands, and wildlife fit for a David Attenborough series!
Alongside this stunning and ever-present backdrop, the flying tasking and training commenced, with the Pumas doing what they do best, shifting personnel, freight, and equipment from one place to another, at the right time. A simple task, if it weren’t for the added complications that come with this sort of environment, sand, sand, and more sand!
Desert conditions are demanding, not only from a flying perspective but also from an engineering perspective. After the aircrew have fought to land in a complete brownout (a wall of sand kicked up by the aircraft downwash), the engineers must battle to ensure that the same sand doesn’t end up interfering with key aircraft electrical and mechanical systems which would render the helicopter useless.
Success from both perspectives, across two deployments, meant that some excellent training and tasking was achieved. Numerous desert qualifications were awarded and re-awarded, positioning the Puma Force well for future operations, and BATUK received invaluable aviation support to their training exercises, adding a whole new dimension to their scenario tactics, considerations, and overall realism.
With training and tasking taken care of, the next priority was to try and make the most of the excellent opportunities that being in Kenya presented, and to try and finally replace the old Kenya ‘dits’ with some new ones of our own!
And Kenya didn’t disappoint; safaris, mountaineering, whitewater rafting, canyoning, and mountain biking were all on offer, and resulted in a deployment which delivered on all counts. The next generation of Kenya ‘dits’ have been forged.
