On the 27th September 1926, the range at RAF Holbeach opened. 96 years later on this day, two Chinooks from RAF Odiham from different squadrons came to ring to fire 7.62mm rounds, using their two 7.62 M143 mingun and the 7.62mm M60D machine gun.

There are three squadrons that fly the Chinook at RAF Odiham, 7,18 and 27 squadron. We were so fortunate to have two visit the Holbeach Air Weapons Range(AWR) and we not only experienced at a very close distance the firing but were given access to be very close to experience the turbulence generated by the landing of the ‘Wokka’. My goodness! I have never experienced anything like this and Ted’s beret had to be redundant for this. The force even turned the TedCam over!

When each Chinook finished at the range expending thousands of rounds, they went to RAF Lakenheath for a refuel and recharge of the ammo and returned later in the evening.

The Chinook is an extremely capable and highly versatile support helicopter that can be operated from land bases or shops into a diverse range of environments, from the Arctic to the desert or jungle. The aircraft may be armed and is fitted with a suite of selfdefence equipment allowing it to operate across the battlespace. Chinooks are primarily used for trooping, resupply and battlefield casualty evacuation (casevac).

With its triplehook external load system, internal cargo winch, roller conveyor fit and large reserves of power, the aircraft can lift a wide variety of complex underslung or internal freight, including vehicles. It can carry up to 55 troops or up to approximately 10 tons of mixed cargo.

Secondary roles include search and rescue (SAR), and supporting a wide variety of specialist tasks, including the Military Air to the Civil Authorities (MACA) commitment. A Chinook crew comprises of two pilots and two crewmen, supplemented by specialists dependent upon mission requirements.

The Chinook has two rotors. The front blades are set on a fairing above the cockpit. The rear rotor is set on a rectangular 'fin' and is higher than the front rotor. It is powered by two Honeywell T55L714A turboshaft engines, each rated at 4,168shp maximum continuous power. Supporting the chinook are 6 wheels at the undercarriage 2 at the rear and twin axle front pairs just beyond halfway along the fuselage.

#wokka #chinook #weapons

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