Apache helicopters completes training on HMS Prince of Wales

TR_123456

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
4,743
Reactions
11,609
Nation of residence
Nethelands
Nation of origin
Turkey
According to information published by the Royal Navy on June 22, 2021, the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter in Britain’s arsenal has completed two weeks’ intensive training on the nation’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

1624443777558.png

Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter on the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (Picture source: Royal Navy)

Three gunships joined HMS Prince of Wales to allow the Army Air Corps’ fliers get their sea legs back – and give the Portsmouth-based warship a taste of the helicopter’s striking power.


The fearsome-looking aircraft joined the carrier before she departed her home base on her latest series of trials and training in the English and Bristol Channels.


The Army Air Corps maintains a specialist maritime Apache squadron, 656, with modified gunships equipped with floatation devices should one of the multi-million-pound helicopters having to ditch (thankfully they haven’t).


The emphasis of the squadron’s embarkation on the carrier was ensuring air and ground crew were used to operating at sea – and to train Prince of Wales’ air/air engineering departments in handling, moving, maintaining and launching/recovering the Apache as part of the carrier’s broader air group.


During the fortnight-long spell on the Portsmouth-based leviathan, 656 Squadron shared the flight deck with RAF Chinooks, Royal Navy Merlins and, briefly, the first F-35 Lightning jets to land/take-off from HMS Prince of Wales.


The Army Air Corps fliers landed and took off 161 times, qualified one new pilot for maritime operations by day/night, while eight more regained or maintained their currency.

 

Follow us on social media

Top Bottom