It was all eyes to the sky as a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter took part in a multi-agency training exercise on the Isle of Wight.
The distinctive, tandem rotor helicopter flew from RAF Odiham in Hampshire on Tuesday (11 October) to conduct valuable resilience training alongside the Isle of Wight Council’s emergency management team and blue light services, including firefighters from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS).
The pre-planned exercise, at Jersey Camp, saw the huge aircraft demonstrate its heavy-lift capabilities by under slinging a three-tonne high-volume pump (HVP), used by fire and rescue services in major flood situations.
The aircraft, from 27 Squadron, completed a number of approaches and load pickups to make sure the Island’s responding agencies were familiar with the operating procedures of Chinook helicopters, including helicopter landing site operations.
This is important should the helicopters ever be tasked to assist civilian authorities on the Island in the event of a major incident.
The rare sight marked the culmination of a two-day training exercise involving RAF and Army personnel from the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
The training exercise also involved members of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, the Coastguard and Isle of Wight Council emergency liaison staff.
Councillor Karen Lucioni, cabinet member for public protection, said:
“Work of this nature will enhance arrangements that are already in place should a major incident occur on the Island.
“We would never want to see a major incident take place here, however residents can be assured resilience plans are in place should they ever be needed.”
Group Manager Justin Harden said:
“Three tonnes is a significant weight and if we needed to put a pump, or a series of pumps in place, the terrain might not be achievable by vehicle or by foot, and therefore an air asset and that capability would be the perfect option for us.”
