RAF Chinooks reach operational milestone in Mali
RAF CH-47D Chinooks (pictured) have now completed more than 2,000 operational hours whilst supporting French forces in Mali. They have regularly been involved with support troops taking part in Operation Burkhane.
They were initially deployed to the West African state in July 2018 and have since moved more than 1,000t of freight and over 12,000 passengers.
Each of the CH-47 aircraft are operated by 18(B) Squadron and are usually based at RAF Odiham in the UK.
Si Elsey, RAF detachment commander, said: ‘We have not lost a sortie due to COVID-19 and the French have maintained a high tempo of operations throughout. Once their troops are in the field, we re-supply them and can lift vehicles in and out as required.’
‘Unfortunately, terrorism does not recognise pandemics, so the deployed personnel have maintained their operational focus while observing COVID-19 measures’, Elsey continued.
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