NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2008 9
end
slap when attempting to change
radio frequency or make my own
command decisions…”
For the pilots of CHF, every
aspect of a sortie has to be
considered before launch.
In addition to standard protective
flying clothing, aircrew also carry
a ‘down-bird’ kit consisting of rifle
and pistol, webbing, lots of water
and ammunition, helmet, more
water, body armour and a small
amount of rations.
Should the aircraft have to shut
down away from Kandahar, two
sets of night vision goggles for
ground operations and a DNVG
HDU (Head-up Display Unit)
are also carried in the event that
the crew is re-tasked for night
operations.
This is not a major issue in the
UK, but night flying is particularly
dangerous in the desert and
mountains of Afghanistan due to
the lack of ambient light.
During the ‘red illum’ period,
when the light levels are extremely
limited, night flying is especially
challenging in the low-contrast
terrain.
Throughout their flying training,
Navy pilots learn alongside their
Army and RAF counterparts. The
same can be said for Afghanistan.
Joint tasking and operations
routinely take place between Sea
King, Lynx, Chinook and Apache
aircraft, backed up by the Close
Air Support provided by Joint
Force Harrier.
Nearing the end of his first
deployment, Lt Coleman reflected
on his experience in Afghanistan. ● Clockwise from top left: Desert sands and mountain
“Four years of flying training snows are often encountered during the same
has finally brought me to an mission; RN Sea Kings share Kandahar airfi eld with
operational theatre. an eclectic range of aircraft, including the Antonov
“With no end-date for AN-124 freighter; a spectacular Afghan landscape;
operations in Afghanistan, I know recirculating dust is one of the aviator’s biggest
I will deploy again soon. problems; a Sea King is propped up with sandbags
“Hopefully I will return with a after damaging its undercarriage; the featureless
little less trepidation and at least I terrain is a danger in low light and darkness; the
won’t be the new guy.” Jungly Sea King HC4+
Pictures: Cpl S Dove, AGC
0008-009_NN_sep.indd 208-009_NN_sep.indd 2 118/8/08 10:01:108/8/08 10:01:10
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