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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
5Regiment Army Air Corps (5 AAC) is a very busy unit constantly on high readiness and always at the forefront
of aviation. Generating Aviation Force Elements at Extreme High Readiness (EHR) for UK Counter-Terrorism (UKCT) Operations, relocating the Regt from Northern Ireland to South England and transitioning a Sub-Unit from Rotary Wing to Uncrewed Systems.
It has been another incredibly busy and turbulent year within 5 AAC maintaining operational outputs and taskings including Ex WESSEX STORM, Ex APOLLO SABRE, VIP tasking and providing EHR Support to UKCT, coupled with a lot of uncertainty with the role of the Regiment changing and a unit move back to mainland (Middle Wallop).
The role of the Regiment has recently changed with the Gazelle helicopter being retired out of service in October 23 at Vector Aerospace after being a stable figure within NI since November 1979. The Regiment now transitions into its new role of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
5 AAC have continued to promote and deliver adventurous training at every opportunity with Service Personnel (SP) being able to get away on Ex WARRIOR SKI and Ex EAGLE SKI in France, conducting Ski Foundation 1 (SF1), SF2 and SF3 continuation training. 14 SP also manged to get away on Ex WARRIOR HERITAGE, which was a battlefield study in Poland visiting WW2 landmarks and
Sgt (SI) K Watson RAPTC
5 REGIMENT ARMY AIR CORPS
covering historical events during the war including tours of Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Krakow’s Jewish Quarter and Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was the focus of the study.
On the sporting front there has been a lot of opportunity for personnel taking part in the Regional Rambo Challenge Charity Event raising money for Scotty’s little soldiers, which was both a test of mental resilience and robustness conducting a 50km Run, Row, Ski and 500 burpees within a 9-hour window for comletion. All personnel that participated completed the challenge which is a credit to themselves as this was not an easy task. The British
Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) Men’s team had a great season managing to top the Team Series regional leader board and place 5th in the Team Series Final at Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) Aldershot. We’ve also had SP participating in the London Marathon and AGC Corps Triathlon Camp out in Cyprus.
With the uncertain times and changes within the Regiment and its new transition to UAS being operated from Middle Wallop ending a 50+ year tenure in Northern Ireland, 5 AAC will continue to react and provide support to the aviation community whilst having some fun along the way.
Members of 5 AAC visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau
5 Regt AAC on Parade