Press Release

134 (Bedford) Squadron
Air Training Corps
Shortstown
Bedford
MK42 0TH

11th November 2005

Chukka Chopper

On Thursday 10th November 2005 a deployment 19 cadets and members of staff from 134 (Bedford) Squadron embarked on a visit to remember hosted by 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, the home of the UK’s Chinook battle field support helicopter fleet.

The early start meant leaving the Squadron Headquarters at 0600hrs to make the 3 hour minibus journey down the M1, M25 and M3. As the sun rose and the traffic jams passed the anticipation amongst the cadets increased. Upon arrival at RAF Odiham the cadets were made very welcome and ushered into 27 Squadron’s crewroom while the staff dealt with the associated administration for the visit. Before long and way before the cadets had a chance to settle into the big comfy sofas everyone was taken to a hangar containing Chinooks in various stages of assembly, here one of the loadmasters gave a safety briefing for passengers travelling in this unique aircraft as well as showing off some of the kit that the aircraft has fitted to the outside.

Back inside the squadron building the group were directed to the briefing room were they were given a multi-media presentation illustrating the role of the helicopter and how 27 squadron fulfils its role as the training unit for Chinook operations. Meanwhile a group of 16 CCF cadets and staff were boarding an aircraft out on the tarmac. Back in the crewroom the cadets and staff from 134 (Bedford) Sqn were able to watch them board the aircraft, strap in and lift off before heading out of sight over the horizon. After about 20 minutes our group were taken out onto the airfield to see the CCF arrive back at Odiham. Once they had disembarked from the helicopter we were able to swap places with them, walking against the wash of warm air from the engines the cadets and staff climbed up onto the ramp and inside to find a seat for the flight.

With everyone secured inside Chinook ZH895 the captain taxied out and lifted off for the start of the 3 hour flight that began by heading towards west London, passing over the airfield at Farnborough, the M25 and Thorpe Park. Then air traffic control set a holding pattern giving the pilot precise instructions, the air was full of aircraft for good reasons, the flight path was about to take us right over the top one the world busiest airports, London Heathrow. With permission given the helicopter used full power to accelerate and pass between two aircraft on final approach. Once safely through the route shifted to the north-west and made a beeline for a practise landing on the sports pitch of HQ Strike Command at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. Climbing up above the clouds the journey turned to instrument flying were the crew took the opportunity to eat their packed lunches, meanwhile the first of the air sickness victims made themselves evident!

Emerging out of the cloud and heading down to a lower flight level there was a chance to see the distinctive doughnut shaped GCHQ building at Cheltenham before doing a practise approach to Gloucester Airport. Then it was down to an even lower level with the tree tops passing the windows as we started out on a hour long tour around the fringes of the seven estuary, and the hills and valleys of Somerset. Sgt Ozzy had by this time secured himself a front row view from the jump seat between the pilots with clear views of the country side through the large cockpit windows. Behind him in the cabin more sickness victims were busy filling their wax lined bags, and further back still those who were feeling a little better were given the chance to strap into a safety harness and get up close to the open rear ramp for some excellent panoramic views.

Before too long the runway lights of RAF Odiham came back into view, the pilot lined up the aircraft for final approach and gently placed the rear wheels back on the ground before taxing to the pan where the aircraft was shut down. Once the engines and rotors had stopped our party was allowed to leave the aircraft, with feet on firm and steady ground the cadets were lined up for a photograph with the crew in front of the aircraft. Having thanked the personnel from 27 Sqn that had looked after us during our visit to RAF Odiham it was back on the buses for the ride home.