Benson 2008

    Plenty of helicopters are based at this Oxfordshire location as part of Joint Helicopter Command.

    Our group members travelled from various points across the UK to meet up with our host on a fine sunny September morning to be escorted round the base. Currently the base is very heavily involved in operations in Iraq with the Merlin detachment of 1419 Flight and the Puma detachment of 1563 Flight supporting allied forces from their base in Kuwait.

    Since our last visit a couple of years ago, an additional 6 Merlins have been acquired from the Danish Air Force, and these are being integrated into normal service at the moment. As a result 78 Sqn were recently formed here to operate alongside 28 Sqn, and the Merlins are pooled between both units and operated as required by each squadron.

    Additional Pumas have also been acquired, this time former South African Air Force examples, and 4 of these have also entered service in the last few years to provide a small boost to the much needed helicopter support fleet. In due course 230 Sqn from Aldergrove will move into Benson alongside 33 Sqn, so some infrastructure improvements should be forthcoming in order to accommodate the new arrivals.

    Our host provided us with a look around all the hangars, and an opportunity to photograph the helicopters on the flightline and we are very appreciative of his time and efforts in enabling our visit to take place.

Noted during our visit on 3rd September:-

Odiham 2008

    Following on from Benson, we proceeded south to meet up (mostly on time) at Odiham, another RAF base that is part of Joint Helicopter Command.

    The Chinooks of 7, 18 and 27 Sqn based here are equally heavily involved in operations overseas, with a large detachment based in Afghanistan with 1310 Flight. As with the Merlins and Pumas, additional assets are being obtained with the conversion of new HC3 models stored at Boscombe Down into compatible and airworthy usable versions.

    In addition, Army Air Corps Lynx helicopters of 657 Sqn  are based here, and alongside the RAF Chinooks of 7 Sqn make up the JSFAW (Joint Special Forces Air Wing).

    Our host again provided us with a look around the hangars, as well as some photographic opportunities, and we again extend our thanks and gratitude to him for the time and efforts expended.

Noted during our visit on 3rd September:-

  Finally, thanks must also go to Mick Boulanger for all his efforts in arranging the visits, and for ensuring that the sun shone throughout!