Page 58 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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4 REGIMENT ARMY AIR CORPS
SSgt (SSI) Z Leeming-Watts RAPTC
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact us all, 4 Regiment AAC has remained as busy as ever. They have deployed on multiple exercises in both the UK and abroad.
Exercise AQUILAS STRIKE was a notable high point of Regimental activity in July 20. The exercise, situated from Wattisham, further tested and developed how the Aviation Task Force 1 (ATF-1) operates, attracting support from 16X’s 1st Royal Gurkha Regiment, 3rd Parachute Battalion and the Land Warfare’s Centre Aviation Warfare Branch – an impressive and rich line-up.
The main themes of the exercise were developing working practices and improving interoperability, live firing, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration, and Aviation Manoeuvre joint planning and execution.
Alongside this Regimental activity, 656 Sqn have deployed on an extreme high readiness exercise in Scotland with missions projecting overseas.
664 Sqn also deployed to France on Exercise BACCARAT in support of our French colleagues, flying over the Alps together with the Tiger and Gazelle.
4 Regt soldiers and officers from across the Sqns have also continued to participate in a range of sports and adventurous training activities, from mountain biking and climbing in Cornwall to sea kayaking and virtual triathlons.
The changes made during COVID-19 has certainly not dampened the level of enthusiasm and spirits.
Exercise AQUILAS STRIKE – Aviation task
4 Regiment AAC – Planning and execution