Official account for the British Army’s aviation combat arm. Aircraft operated by AAC soldiers include the Apache attack helicopter & the Wildcat
#Armyaviation
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A great honour for the Army Air Corps to welcome both His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop yesterday. HM King Charles III has officially passed the role of Colonel-In Chief-Army Air Corps to HRH Prince of Wales.
His Majesty The King has officially passed on the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the
@ArmyAirCorps
to The Prince of Wales.
He also unveiled a plaque for the first Apache AH Mk.1 helicopter in a museum -
@ArmyFlying
Read more ⬇️
@RoyalFamily
To celebrate the distinguished service history of the Gazelle helicopter, and mark its withdrawal from service at the end of this month, 5 Regt AAC are scheduled to conduct a final fly past through the UK, Monday 23 Oct 23. More info here:👉
Today 5 Regt AAC said good-bye to the Gazelle as the Aérospatiale/Westlands helicopter departed on its farewell tour of notable MOD flying stations across the UK. After service with the British Army for 49 years the AAC Gazelle is being withdrawn from service 31 October 23.
The Army Air Corps is today announcing that the Minimum rank to become an Army helicopter pilot has been lowered to Private.
Soldiers from across the Army now have the opportunity to apply to become an Army helicopter pilot much earlier in their careers.
#pilot
#britisharmy
Astronaut and former Army Air Corps helicopter pilot, Colonel Tim Peake CMG has presented Wings to the graduates at RAF Shawbury in his capacity as Honorary Colonel 9 Regt AAC. Congratulations to our newest AAC aircrew on this most memorable day!🍾 🚁 🚀
#Armyaviation
Welcoming Major Tim Peake CMG
@astro_timpeake
as Honorary Colonel 9 Regt AAC, Colonel AAC, Col JM Facer ADC, said: "With his background & experience at
@esa
Col Tim will be a superb ambassador & role model for those trainee pilots embarking on their Army flying career."
The AAC is
#proud
that the BBC's
#RemembranceSunday
2019 coverage paid tribute to the courage which saw Lt Col Laura Nicholson DFC, AAC awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for her actions under enemy fire while piloting an RAF Chinook in Afghanistan in 2013
#Service
#Duty
#AAC
The Army Air Corps is 64 today! Happy Birthday to our entire AAC family, past & present; from our esteemed veterans to our latest recruits; to all our serving personnel, Regulars & Reserves, aircrew, ground crew; those serving at home, those serving abroad; Many Happy Returns👏🎂
Soldiers from 3 Regt AAC, part of 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team (1 Avn BCT) who will be operating the new Apache AH-64E, have today celebrated their links to Suffolk and their proud history as they exercised the Freedom of St Edmundsbury.
AAC’s Farewell Flight of the Lynx, 16 Jan 2018: Comd Joint Helicopter Command Rear Admiral Jon Pentreath OBE pays tribute and says: ‘Its successor, the Wildcat, is already doing extraordinary things for both Services and will be with us for many years too.’
Great image in today's
#DailyTelegraph
of an
#AAC
Lieutenant on deployment providing cover for staff absences due to Covid-19 at Bracknell ambulance station, Berkshire; part of the
@BritishArmy
's Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA);📸Heathcliff O’Malley for The Telegraph;🙌
Condolences to family & friends of Peter Clarke OBE who died 3rd April, aged 96. A heroic pilot with the Glider Pilot Regiment, SSgt Clarke successfully landed his glider as part of Operation Market Garden, Arnhem set up a First Aid Post, was captured and survived forced marches.
🎉 On this day in 1957, 65 years ago, the Army Air Corps was formed 🦅
🌎 Since then we have operated both fixed and rotary wing aircraft across the world on Exercises, Deployments and Operations ranging from Norway to the Falkland Islands.
The AAC is delighted to welcome
@esa
astronaut, Major Tim Peake CMG
@astro_timpeake
as Honorary Colonel 9 Regiment AAC; 9 Regt AAC, based in Shawbury, Shropshire, delivers initial helicopter flying training to British Army pilots as part of the UK Military Flying Training System.
AAC senior officers & soldiers have held a
#DDay77
Service of Remembrance at Middle Wallop; Madame Arlette Gondrée was guest of honour; as a child she witnessed the heroism of the airborne landings which led to the liberation of her family home by Normandy's Pegasus Bridge;
4AAC IN ARCTIC NORWAY-Apache crews from 656 Sqn & Engineers from 7 Bn REME are in Norway for the inaugural deployment of Apache to the Arctic on Ex Clockwork. They face temperatures dropping to -30C & 'white-outs'
#CombatAviation
#AACHighReadiness
#Resilience
From vantage points including a Bell 212, MOD photographers based at Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop were able to capture and record the 8-ship flypast by eight Apache Mk.1s before they headed to Wattisham Flying station last week.🙌🚁
A huge congratulations to the Army Air Corps wings graduates who passed out this week at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury. Such a milestone and an incredible achievement. Honoured to share the day with
@RoyalAirForce
graduates as well!
@dcomd_jhc
@hop_aac
The Army Aviation Centre is now operating the latest helicopter in the Armed Forces, the Apache AH-64E.
It will be flown by 7 Regt AAC, tasked with training aircrew on how to fly and fight the 'E' model before posting to
@CO_3RegimentAAC
or
@4RegimentAAC
to fly operationally.
A detachment of Wildcat from 661 Sqn, 1AAC left UK today on deployment to the Baltic States on the first joint operational deployment of Wildcat and Apache; the AAC will support UK Forces deployed on Op CABRIT & provide valuable training opportunities for our Estonian partners
As
#AAC
Apache pilot WO2 'Jonny' who began his career as an Airtrooper, explains below, the AAC enables non commissioned officers (NCO's) to fly; and the
@BritishArmy
’s potent
#combataviation
capability is all about teamwork
#WeAreNATO
🚁🙌
Jonny wanted to fly since he was a boy growing up in the 🇬🇧UK.
Now, he flies the
@BritishArmy
's premier attack 🚁 helicopter, the Apache AH1.
#WeAreNATO
Ex Talon Python: Yesterday was a momentous day for the AAC as 'Apaches from 662 and 663 Sqns 3AAC, operating alongside Wildcat from 659 Sqn, 1AAC, launched to conduct ‘Find and Strike’ missions as the first fully fielded Attack Helicopter & Reconnaissance Helicopter Battlegroup’
AAC Picture of the day? On the final flight to mark 40 years’ distinguished service, the Lynx visited Wattisham Flying Station, home to 3 and 4 Regts AAC who flew the Lynx (including on operations in the Balkans & Iraq) before converting to the Apache; picture
#Lynx
#Apache
#AAC
All Change at the top! Colonel AH Willman (pictured left) has handed over to Colonel Robin Melling MBE (right), his successor as Commandant Army Aviation Centre (AACen).
AACen, based at Middle Wallop, conducts training for officers and soldiers in aircrew and groundcrew roles. 🚁
"Crews from 659 Sqn 1 Regt AAC have been conducting desert training, including General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) training, in testing conditions with the Wildcat Reconnaissance Helicopter on Exercise Khanjar Oman 19."
#AAC
#Wildcat
#interoperability
#combataviation
@BritishArmy
The Army Air Corps is delighted to announce that Major-General Nicholas Borton DSO MBE,
@MajGenBorton
has been appointed as the next Colonel Commandant of the AAC. Maj Gen Borton will take up his appointment from 1st January 2021.
Newly in post as Deputy Commander Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) Brig Paul Tedman (right) yesterday took over from Brig Mike Keating CBE as the new Head of Profession Army Aviation; the occasion of the ‘formal’ handover was, aptly enough the annual Army Aviation Conference
#AAC
Pix from 4 AAC's Arctic flying debut -
#ExClockwork
. Maj Raikes, OC 656 Sqn AAC, said: ‘We had to first learn how to survive, then aircrew groundcrew & engineers have learnt new techniques on how to operate-we’re now developing techniques to fight the Apache in this environment’
Congratulations LCpl Griffin, 661 Sqn, 1 Regt AAC who has completed the arduousAll Arms Commando Course earning him the right to wear the famous Green Beret and Army Commando Mudguards
#ArmyConfidence
663 Sqn 3AAC Apache & 661 Sqn 1AAC Wildcat flew in formation over a concert held in Tallinn yesterday to mark Estonia’s 6th annual Veterans’ Day. The AAC sqns are jointly deployed on Op Cabrit supporting the
@NATO
Enhanced Forward Presence
#eFP
in the Baltic States
#AAC
#allies
Great news! Cpl Katie Carter AAC (pictured Jan 20)has been named Recruiter of the Year & Cpl Griggs AAC is joint winner of the Regular Trainer of the Year award in the Army Recruiting and Initial Training Command (ARITC) Awards 2020. Inspirational! You have made the Corps proud.
A portrait of Assistant Colonel Commandant Army Air Corps, Major General Neil Sexton, by artist Alex Chamberlin, was unveiled today. (Alex Chamberlin’s work includes a portrait of Capt Sir Thomas Moore, commissioned by the Army as the official portrait of the veteran fundraiser).
On this day in 2000, Special Forces Lynx from 657 Squadron AAC and Chinooks from 7 Squadron RAF supported UK Special Forces hostage mission Op BARRAS in Sierra Leone.
Copyright David Rowlands 2021.
Colonel Tim Peake CMG has unveiled a portrait by Alex Chamberlin, commissioned for our Corps by the AAC Charity to mark Col Tim's appointment as Honorary Colonel 9 Regt AAC. Lt Col Stewart Pearce, CO 9AAC (left) hosted Col Tim on his recent visit to 9AAC’s RAF Shawbury base.🚁🥳
Lt Col Woodhouse MBE has now handed over SO1 Aviation Standards and passed on the coveted callsign Army Air 001 to Lt Col Green.
Lt Col Woodhouse is now commanding 9 Regt AAC at RAF Shawbury, a familiar place due to previous time spent there as a Helicopter Instructor.
Congratulations to the 500 Junior Soldiers who graduated from Army Foundation College (AFC), Harrogate, yesterday. We're proud to see our AAC cap badge on parade and warmly welcome our Junior Soldiers as they embark on their Trade Training; 🚁🥳👏
#ArmyAviation
#FutureSoldier
Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster visited Estonia last week & met with some of the 1,000 UK personnel contributing to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence
#eFP
battlegroup; he flew in a 1AAC Wildcat - 661 Sqn 1AAC are deployed to Estonia along with Apaches from 663 Sqn 3AAC
#AAC
Thank you to LCpl Thomas Howard Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) for this photo of 1AAC
@1_Regt_AAC
Wildcat with Command Troop, EGYPT Sqn, RTR + Challenger 2 tanks last week; the Cmd Tp had been conducting a Battle Craft Syllabus (BCS) training exercise on Salisbury Plain. 🚁
In the early hours of the 6th June 1944, 6 Horsa gliders, from C Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment successfully landed the opening salvo of Operation Overlord. Later in the day reconnaissance parties of the Air Observation Post arrived in Normandy to secure landing strips for their
The AAC offers condolences to the family and comrades of World War II Veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore, whose military service, peerless determination and fundraising achievements in 2020 proved such an inspiration to all.
RIP Capt S Hughes - died aged 60. As RMO 2 Para in the Falklands war he saved lives on both sides, later saying ‘Over the hill there came what for me will always be the arrival of the 7th Cavalry’ - an
#AAC
Scout helicopter ie medical resupplies + casevac
The AAC is front & centre in the Feb 22 edition of
@soldiermagazine
; from a tour of the new 'Fearsome Apache' E-Model to a deep dive into the AAC’s radical changes to the entry level at which British Army soldiers can apply to become helicopter pilot;🙌🚁👉
Senior officers led by Asst Colonel Commandant AAC, Major General Neil Sexton CB, have taken part in a parade at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire today to commemorate The Battle of Arnhem, 17 - 26 Sept 1944. More info here:
#WeShallRememberThem
In the last week of July, 5 Regt AAC conducted Gazelle Helicopter training for aircrew from the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The training consisted of 16 hours of Airspace Familiarisation, Advance General Handling, Engine Off Landings and a visit to the infamous 'Dunker'.
On behalf of all Army Air Corps serving and veteran personnel, we wish our Colonel-in-Chief, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, a very happy birthday! 🎂🚁
(HRH is pictured at the AAC 60th Anniversary Guidon Parade, Salisbury Cathedral, July 2017.)
Crown Copyright 2017.
1 AAC Return From Overseas Deployment!
After a 3 month deployment to Lithuania, Wildcat helicopters and personnel from 659 Sqn alongside supporting personnel from 651 Sqn returned to RNAS Yeovilton.
#FlashbackFriday
-Rewind to Ex Clockwork Feb 19: 656 Squadron 4AAC trained alongside the Wildcat crews of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) in Norway’s Arctic Circle; learning how to operate together under some of the planet’s harshest conditions
#AAC
#Apache
#combataviation
AAC soldiers from 3 and 4 Regts AAC were among 120 troops at London's Liverpool St Station today collecting donations from the public for the
@PoppyLegion
Poppy Appeal. Airtpr Heather Boon 4AAC said: 'It’s great to see how much support there is for the Royal British Legion.'
Great feature on Airtrooper Munib Sheikh, 4 Regt AAC, in
@EasternEye
who interviewed him about his decision to join the Army Air Corps and his aspirations for his military career. You can read it in full here:
#ArmyConfidence
#Armyaviation
This week SNCOs from
@4RegimentAAC
visited
@CO_AFC
. The aircrew showcased the Apache and discussed its capabilities to junior soldiers.
The rank to apply for the Army Pilots Course has changed, allowing Ptes recommended LCpl to apply, interested? Message
@aacrecruiting
🚁
A Wildcat from 1AAC and an Apache from 3AAC flew in to support the HQ AAC Recruiting & Selection team who were at snowy
@RMASandhurst
today for the Arms & Services Junior Term careers fair, introducing the Corps to the Officer Cadets
#teaming
#teamwork
#WildcatWednesday
#AAC
In the past few weeks we welcomed Lebanese 🇱🇧 Gazelle Pilots to Middle Wallop 🇬🇧 as part of a Short Term Training Task.
Below you can see Auto-rotation training, they also had the opportunity to conduct navigation missions on SPTA and visit the 'dunker' for escape drills.
Lebanese 🇱🇧 Gazelle pilots in 🇬🇧 under
@ArmyAirCorps
instruction doing an ‘engine off landing’. Key skills for 🚁 pilots especially when you only have 1 engine! 🚁 can land without power using autorotation-otherwise know as ‘magic’ - *insert science here*
@DefenceHQ
@ComdJHC
Images from Ex Iron Python 18, a training exercise which focuses on the logistical support of aviation Divisional warfighting and sees the continued development of Armed Reconnaissance Teaming with the Wildcat from 659 Sqn, 1 Regt AAC working alongside Apaches from 3 Regt AAC.
Thank you to City Police Dogs for this great image of an Apache from 664 Sqn 4 Regt AAC with Lester, Jay & Max in the City of London yesterday, all supporting a high profile open day at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).
Congratulations! The AAC is proud to announce that the service, above and beyond, of ten members of our Corps has been recognised in today’s New Year’s Honours list: the MBE is awarded to Col NG English (late AAC), WO1 MAV Jarvis AAC, SSgt SP Singh AAC.
60 Second Update - the latest news in a bitesize chunk, looking at:
💉 Helping out in Bolton
🧗 Adventurous Training restarting
🪖 Troops in Mali
🥽 VR Training
The AAC proudly salutes LCpl Courtney Powdrill from Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire
@ArmyCadetsUK
for her extreme bravery in the face of danger and rapid reaction life saving skills for which she has now been recommended for an award. Read the full story here-
Mother Nature demonstrating her strike capability to 653 Sqn AHF HQ on Exercise CRIMSON EAGLE in California. They're out there generating combat ready AH crews in challenging conditions with vital support from 7 REME.
@ComdJHC
@dcomd_jhc
@CO7BnREME
@ComdAHF
@BritishArmy
#strike
EXERCISE WILDCAT FURY: Personnel from 661 Sqn, 1 Regt AAC supported by soldiers from 6 Regt AAC, the AAC Reserves, have been deployed at the Castlemartin Training Area in Wales for live firing training.
#Wildcat
#combataviation
#AAC
#Armyaviation
#wholeforce
As 4AAC return from Arctic debut: Aviation groundcrew specialist Cpl Cullen from
#Leeds
, said: 'To set up the FARP we had to dig spaces to pitch tents in 4ft of snow, with trenches between; it was really challenging to keep warm and take on the extra calories the body needs'
#AAC
3AAC are on Exercise Talon Gravis across Southern England launching successive formations of Apache Attack Helicopters, most recently a four ship formation as seen below
#AAC
#Apache
Eastern Eye has interviewed AAC brothers and pilots Captain Brijinder and Lieutenant Harmeet Singh Nijjar about how the Army Cadet Force
@ArmyCadetsUK
inspired them to become AAC Apache pilots
#Apache
#thisisbelonging
via
@Eastern
Eye
Congratulations
@ex_major
now 'Mr' David Gell and our Head of AAC Recruiting & Selection! Flying the flag into the next decade and representing
#ArmyConfidence
🚁🚁
Being a helicopter pilot isn’t always about flying hard and fast.
On the modern battlefield, they’re learning to hide their helicopters in the contours of hills and woodlands.
The reason? To attack before being spotted by enemy air defence systems.
Our sincere condolences to the wife, family & comrades of Brigadier Maurice Sutcliffe OBE, passed away 8 Apr 19 aged 97. Remembered especially for his service with the Glider Pilot Regiment, distinguished War record and key role in the foundation & development of the modern
#AAC
The British Army's new Apache has entered service; 3 Regt AAC, part of
@1st_AviationBCT
is the first unit to field the aircraft; CO AAC Lt Col Simon Wilsey said:“The AH-64E Apache is a 21st Century attack helicopter that is more lethal, agile, survivable and integrated..."
The minimum rank to become an Army pilot has been lowered to Private with a recommendation for promotion to LCpl.
It is the one of the biggest upheavals in the way the AAC recruits, selects and employs soldier pilots since it’s formation in 1957.
#armyaircorps
#aac
#aviation
Congratulations to our AAC personnel recognised with their military peers in the 2022 New Year's Honours: Lt Col David Goodacre, AAC is to receive the OBE; Major Taniya Morris, AAC, Army Reserve, is awarded the MBE🥳👏
More here:
#Service
#ArmyAviation
662 Sqn 3 Regt AAC have been conducting Battle Craft Syllabus (BCS) training at Thetford; the training forms part of the Regiment’s battlecraft syllabus, which places an emphasis on basic skills and drills.
#AAC
#Apache
#soldierfirst
As of Friday 11 December 2020, 673 Squadron will cease to fly the Apache MK1. Here is the formation flypast earlier this morning to mark the end of their service at Middle Wallop.
'JHC’s Aviation Task Force
@1_Regt_AAC
departed their home at
@RNASYeovilton
🇬🇧 for Lithuania where they will integrate with our
#NATO
allies;' read more below.
Extreme conditions for
@4regimentAAC
656 Sqn Apaches operating in
#Norway
on Exercise CLOCKWORK 22.
Training in the harshest environments ensure our agility and global deployability
TEAMWORK! 659 Squadron Wildcats from 1AAC recce a potential enemy target as they work together over the hills of Hampshire with AAC Apaches from Wattisham in the first of a few serials teaming Wildcat and Apache. Photographer Lt Sandy Osborne 1AAC
#teamwork
#Apache
#Wildcat
#AAC
The Bulford Kiwi is a large depiction of a kiwi, carved in the chalk on Beacon Hill above Bulford Camp. It was created in 1919 by soldiers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who were awaiting repatriation following the end of First World War.
Soldiers from 676 Sqn, 2 (Trg) Regt AAC from Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop, marched through
#Andover
,
#Hampshire
today as UK Armed Forces joined communities in solemn Acts of
#Remembrance
. After the service at St Mary’s Church, COS AACen Lt Col D Curphey laid the wreath
#AAC
664 Sqn, 4 Regt AAC seen here training in Oman on
#ExerciseSaifSareea3
: 664 Sqn has deployed with x3 Apaches to work alongside 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade and the Omani armed forces. The focus for the Apache crews is now live firing in support of the Fire Power Demonstration.
The
@BritishArmy
has recently reopened its rejoin opportunity; if you find yourself missing the camaraderie, challenges and excitement of a career in the Army Air Corps, you can email our
@aacrecruiting
team at AACHQ-RecruitingMailbox
@mod
.gov.uk to find out more.🚁
The Army Air Corps wishes HRH The Prince of Wales, Colonel-In-Chief AAC, a very happy birthday; HRH is pictured at the Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek Netherlands, Sept 19, marking the 75th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden
#AAC
@RoyalFamily
Personnel from the AAC and wider Army Aviation community have been recognised in the Operational Honours & Awards List 58. Congratulations to them all. Please read on to see the names -
MORE PICTURES! At the wedding of HRH Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle 25 soldiers from 3AAC will line streets by the Chapel, Windsor Castle and present a Royal Salute to the newlyweds. HRH's service with the AAC (2011- 2014) included an operational tour of Afghanistan with 3AAC.
Commandant Army Aviation Centre (AACen), Colonel Robin Melling MBE, yesterday joined officers, soldiers and personnel from across the AAC units located at Middle Wallop, in solemn reflection to pay their respects and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
#Remembrance2021
3 Regt AAC have been fielding the new Apache E model: '3 Regt AAC’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wilsey said: “Exercise Talon Guardian is a really significant step forward for the British Army’s AH-64E': read all about it here:
#Pauseforreflection
AAC Personnel and veterans attended a ceremony at the Army Flying Memorial, Middle Wallop last month to witness the unveiling of five newly inscribed names on the commemorative wall and say prayers for those lives lost whilst in service
#LestWeForget
#Service
Read all about it! The AAC is looking for private soldier Reservists of all cap badges to sign up as ground crew for a two-or three-year full-time commitment. Read all about it on page 18 of July's
@soldiermagazine
- link here:
#findwhereyoubelong
Best wishes from the AAC to our Colonel-in-Chief, HRH the Prince of Wales, on his birthday today. Prince Charles is pictured (pre-Covid-19 restrictions) meeting AAC soldiers at commemorations in the Netherlands, Sept 2019 to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem;
📸The AAC featured in the MOD Best of Defence Imagery 2022:
“Breath-taking photographs captured by Armed Forces photographers provide a unique look back at the work of the UK Armed Forces at home and around the world in 2022"
Take a look at the images below:
On behalf of the AAC, congratulations to our members whose outstanding service is recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List: Dir Army Engagement & Communications, Major General ND Sexton, Asst Col Comdt AAC, is awarded the Honour of Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).