RAF

RAF Chinooks In Mali Pass 3,000 Flying Hours Milestone

CH47 releases its flares as part of a system test over the river RAF recently recorded 3000 operational flight hours 30032021 CREDIT MOD.jpg

Royal Air Force Chinooks currently deployed to Mali have passed a significant milestone after completing 3,000 flying hours in their role supporting the French military in the country.

The milestone was passed by 1310 Flight, the RAF detachment that operates the CH-47 Chinooks in Mali.

The detachment is primarily committed to conducting flight operations supporting the French Operation Barkhane, a counter-terrorism operation across the Sahel region of west Africa.

The RAF Odiham-based helicopters from Joint Helicopter Command first arrived in West Africa in July 2018 to provide a heavy-lift helicopter support capability to Op Barkhane.

Mali has stood on the brink of chaos in recent times, including a coup that overthrew its president and prime minister, plus continued struggles against Islamic extremism.

The Chinooks regularly carry out troop movements, resupply missions and logistical support to the French forward bases around Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Since the inception of the task in 2018, the CH-47 detachment has moved more than 1,500 tonnes of freight and more than 18,000 soldiers.

27 Squadron are currently in charge of operating the aircraft, supported by personnel from across the RAF, British Army and Royal Navy drawn from Joint Helicopter Command.

Rear gunner of the CH47 over the River Niger — Rear gunner of a CH-47 over the River Niger in Mali (Picture: MOD).

RAF Detachment Commander, Squadron Leader Sam Bennett, said: "The crews and individuals deployed on Op Newcombe have maintained a high tempo of operations throughout.

"This deployment has been particularly challenging due to COVID-19, however, our mitigations have kept the detachment 100% free of the virus, resulting in no lost sorties.

"The team has managed to provide over 100 flying hours per month and so achieve our mission to support our French allies."

Last month, it was announced that UK personnel serving as part of the detachment in Mali had started receiving their campaign medals.

British Army troops are also deployed to the country on the separate UN MINUSMA (Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali) - the 18,000-strong peacekeeping mission established in 2013.

About 250 soldiers, mostly from the Light Dragoons and 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, are supporting the mission, with the UK's contribution named Operation Newcombe.

Cover image: RAF CH-47 releases its flares as part of a system test over a river in Mali (Picture: MOD).