Hades Warrior: The tri-service exercise training helicopter crews to unleash hell

Helicopter aircrews from all three services are taking part in a joint exercise that will increase their lethality and survivability on the battlefield.

Exercise Hades Warrior is a two-week intensive assessment based out of RAF Leeming for crews operating Merlins, Chinooks, Apaches and Wildcats.

The aim is to turn them into Qualified Weapons Instructors and Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructors.

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"We have designed the course to upskill frontline rotary pilots and rear crew to instruct warfighting disciplines," explained Squadron Leader Macgillivray, 22 Squadron Exercise lead and Flight Commander Tactics.

"Training in a tri-service environment helps sharpen the interoperable capabilities of Joint Aviation Command assets."

Over the next fortnight, the students will take on difficult training serials ranging from air-to-air combat, electronic warfare training and air assault training.

Then there is the added complexity of the undulating North Yorkshire landscape.

The crews must navigate the terrain while completing their allotted task on time to the highest standard in order to pass the assessment.

All training is delivered in a tri-service environment with helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Aviation Command.

The 10 students come from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force.

They will be returning to the frontline after the successful completion of the course to become the main point of contact for all tactics and flying queries from other aircrew.

22 Squadron is the RAF's Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron. It's based at RAF Benson and organises this exercise every year for rotary pilots wanting to become tactics instructors.

Benson provides rapid support for UK military operations throughout the world.

It's home to a number of resident units that deliver critical support to defence outputs.

The civilian National Police Air Service and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which operate 24 hours a day, are based there.

The Joint Aviation Command and its enablers are a vital part of the UK's readiness and capability on joint operations.