THE first Chinook helicopters and around 150 personnel have relocated from RAF Odiham to their new home at RAF Benson as the Chinook Operational Conversion Flight joined their Puma colleagues.

The Chinook Operational Conversion Flight, which will eventually see six Chinook aircraft based at RAF Benson, joined the Pumas to form the combined Puma and Chinook Operational Conversion Unit. They will be co-located at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and will operate under the mantle of 28 Squadron.

RAF Benson is already home to state-of-the-art training for support helicopter aircrew, including internationally recognised synthetic training provided through dynamic motion simulators.

28 Squadron will produce highly-trained aircrew for front line squadrons at RAF Benson (Puma) and RAF Odiham (Chinook), ready to provide helicopter lift capabilities to the British Army, Royal Marines, and wider defence and government agencies. These capabilities include troop movements, re-supply, casualty evacuation, disaster relief, military aid to the civil community and air security.

The Operational Conversion Unit will teach aircrew how to operate their specific helicopter type. The students will arrive on 28 Squadron having learned the basics of flying a helicopter at RAF Shawbury; the unit will then train them how to fly and operate the Puma and Chinook helicopters. This includes the ability to fly with under-slung loads, at low level, flying in cloud and flying at night, all of which are invaluable skills to a support helicopter pilot.

It is not only air crew that relocate to RAF Benson though. A team of experienced Chinook engineers that will be responsible for providing serviceable aircraft, as well as numerous families, are relocating as well to become part of the RAF Benson community. In total, there will be around 150 personnel and their families moving to RAF Benson to join their Puma counterparts as part of 28 Squadron.

Wing Commander Marty Lock, Officer Commanding 28 Squadron, said: “It is a very proud day as the officer commanding of 28 Squadron to welcome the Chinook aircraft, personnel and families to RAF Benson to join existing Puma force personnel to undertake this vital training role.

“My team have been set a big challenge; to deliver the combined operational conversion unit to provide the Royal Air Force with all its future support helicopter aircrew. I am certain that this is a challenge that we can deliver and I am honoured to be leading the team in this endeavour.”

The final two aircraft are expected to depart for Benson early next year.