24 NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2011


Aircrew from 845 and 846 Naval


Squadrons of the CHF, known as the Junglies,


Air


weeks flying their Sea King Mk4 helicopters above Salisbury Plain in the final phase of their pre-deployment training before heading out to Helmand. Pashtun Jaguar was a combined


spent three


CREWS from the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) used Exercise Pashtun Jaguar on Salisbury Plain to put the finishing touches to their training for operations in Afghanistan.


Altitude slickness


exercise supporting the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade, allowing aircrew and soldiers alike to prepare for operations in Afghanistan. Operating with helicopters from the RAF and Army Air Corps, there were a variety of tasks for the venerable Sea Kings.


The exercise also contained an element of what is known as ‘judgemental training’. Military instructors acted as insurgents, using authentic clothes, weapons and vehicles. They set ambushes,


These included a slick demonstration of the aircraft’s capabilities and roles, showing the watching media how different aircraft types combine to insert troops. Lt Cemal Oram, of 845 NAS, said: “This will be my first tour of Helmand so working alongside aircraft from the other two Services gave the opportunity to increase my experience of operating in a joint environment.”


meetings or shuras.


When aircraft approached the landing site the crews were tested on how they would respond to these threats,


watched the gunship tapes and were debriefed on the course of action taken.


Lt Oram explained: “This is designed to help minimise unnecessary casualties to the Afghan population when we are on operations.


and afterwards


“Essentially it is about making sure the crews understand what they can and can’t do under the rules of engagement. “If a potential threat is seen we ask whether it is safe, correct and prudent to engage with the enemy.”


lay simulated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mingled in Afghan dress at village


News went to press, where they will put into practice the skills honed on Salisbury Plain.


NAS were due to deploy to Helmand for three months as Navy


A Flight of 845


● The view from the cockpit of a Junglie Sea King above Salisbury Plain Moving soldiers around the


battlefield and delivering food, ammunition and morale-boosting mail to soldiers living in patrol bases will be the everyday norm in Afghanistan.


was a great opportunity to put into practice the skills we have been taught in surroundings representative of the theatre we will be going to. “It also gave relatively-


Lt Oram said: “The exercise


Afghanistan would be like, whilst enabling the more experienced to build on their knowledge.” CHF consists of five squadrons, four of them Naval and the fifth a Combat Service Support Squadron – a combined Royal Navy and Royal Marine force that specialises in amphibious warfare.


inexperienced aircrew an insight into what operations in


They are integrated under the command of an HQ, established to operate helicopters afloat or ashore in support of the UK forces.


Picture: Richard Watt


combat and survival skills with edge-of-the-seat flying ability, operating Sea King and Lynx helicopters in extreme climates and conditions. Their ability to work in terrain


ranging from Arctic to tropical jungle is second to none. Operations in Borneo in the 1960s earned them the moniker ‘Junglies’ from the troops on the ground – a soubriquet which current and veteran Junglies covet to this day.


The pilots combine commando


● Soldiers from A Company 1st Battalion the Rifl es provide medical assistance to a simulated casualty as a Royal Navy Junglie Sea King hovers in the background


Picture: Cpl James Williams RLC


● A Junglie Sea King Mk4 fl ies in with an underslung trailer (left) which it puts down for marshallers to race in and detach (above) during Exercise Pashtun Jaguar


Pictures: LA(Phot) Gary Weatherston


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