Joe Copalman reports from El Centro in Southern California, where RAF Puma crews preparing for Afghanistan undergo the two-month Imperial Zephyr pre - deployment e xercise.
RAF PUMA FORCE IN CALIFORNIA
RITISH SUPPORT for NATO’s continuing Resolute Support mission did not end completely in December 2014 when UK forces ceased combat operations in Afghanistan with the close of Operation Herrick.
With insurgent ambushes and improvised explosive devices still a threat to NATO convoys, the Royal Air Force maintains a detachment of three Puma HC2 support helicopters in Kabul – known as the Toral Aviation Detachment. This transports personnel and equipment between the numerous allied support bases and Afghan National Army facilities throughout the region.
Flying in Afghanistan, and particularly in Kabul, is challenging, with ‘hot and high’ conditions degrading the performance of helicopter engines, which produce less power, and rotor blades, which have less air to ‘grip’. Furthermore, the country’s ubiquitous dust and the degraded visual conditions created by rotor downwash during landing present numerous hazards. While the recently upgraded Puma HC2 has proven to be a solid performer in those demanding condit…
