Page 94 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
663 Squadron AAC
2019 saw the first deployment of an Apache Squadron on Op- eration CABRIT. It both supported the spring exercise season and showed the UK’s ability to rapidly project force into the Baltics. As such, defence engagement at all stages was a prior- ity. The deployment began by being waved off by The Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson MP in his role as Defence Secretary. As a five- ship, we crossed Europe over a six-day period, with efforts cen- tred on engagement in Poland and the Baltic States.
Once established in Estonia we lived and operated out of Amari Airbase. Formerly a Soviet base, it is now a bustling multi-na- tional NATO hub. This included an RAF Squadron of Typhoons and an Expeditionary Air Wing on Op AZOTIZE, Estonian Air Force, Polish Air Force, and regular Air Transport arriving and departing. The flying gave some valuable tactical lessons on the difficulties of operating against armour in a country covered by woodland with little topography. Whilst not supporting NATO exercises and troops in Estonia, the Squadron was able to enjoy the local delights – namely ‘frisbee golf ’, the capital city Tallinn, and a Battle Field Study to Narva on the Estonian/ Russian boarder.
Estonian and Russian Castles facing each other over the River Narva
663 Squadron aircraft and crews arrive in Estonia after transiting Europe
Defence Engagement at Trakai Castle, Lithuania
On return to the UK the Squadron supported Exercise BAC- CARAT, a French exercise in Eastern France. To demonstrate reach, UK Apaches launched each mission from Wattisham, with re-arming and re-fuelling teams the only footprint on the continent. Along with routing low level through the Champagne Region and flying the Paris heli-lanes as an eight-ship, the high- light and culmination was a 60-ship mission including French, British and Spanish aircraft.
We are now in the planning stages for deploying an Aviation Battle Group on Ex DEFENDER EUROPE in Spring 2020, followed by the arrival of the first E-model Apaches. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing people throughout 2020.
663 Squadron, the first AH deployment on Op CABRIT
EJM