A multi-agency exercise involving the Royal Air Force, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and other local organisations has been taking place at Jersey Camp in Porchfield, with a Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham drafted in to take part today (Tuesday).
In a bid to enhance operational awareness and readiness, the Isle of Wight Council’s Emergency Management team has been working with blue light services to further develop local resilience plans which cumulated with today’s dramatic exercise on Ministry of Defence land at Jersey Camp.
Island Echo was invited along to see the tandem rotor helicopter in action as it swooped in low over the North Wight. With the utmost precision, the Chinook hovered above 1 of the fire service’s High Volume Pumps (HVP) – just like it did at Sandown Airport back in 2016. Once hooked up, the helicopter lifted the 3-tonne equipment with complete ease to demonstrate the underslinging capabilities of the aircraft.
The HVP is an essential piece of equipment used in serious flood situations and major fires. It isn’t used all that often on the Isle of Wight but is stationed at Newport, should the need ever arise.
Representatives of the fire service, ambulance service, HM Coastguard and the Environment Agency took to the skies as the Chinook crew, from 27 Squadron, completed a number of approaches and load pickups to make sure the Island’s responding agencies are familiar with the operating procedures of Chinook helicopters, including helicopter landing site operations.
The military can be requested to assist local agencies when life-threatening or exceptional circumstances arise, or situations that threaten the environment or infrastructure. Larger helicopters like the Chinook can also be used for mass casualty evacuation.
Today’s helicopter landing site exercise was conducted with a Chinook from RAF Odiham and both RAF and Army personnel from the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
Wing Commander Shaun Ryles, RAF regional liaison officer, said:
“The value of such a visit should not be underestimated.
“As well as forging strong links between RAF Odiham and the council’s emergency management team, the work carried out will complement existing contingency plans and allow for a swift and effective response from the RAF and other agencies, should a major incident occur”.
Councillor Ian Dore, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, who also attended, has said:
“Having flown in and worked under these beasts, I had a massive grin on my face for two reasons.
“One, such exercises are essential to keep skills and drills the best they can be, and this was no exception. Observing today I witnessed a solid example of all agencies, working cohesively and seamlessly; coming together to achieve the goal.
“Secondly, the grins on the faces of those involved. Exercises although serious should also be fun and there is nothing more smile raising that doing a circuit in the back of a Chinook!
“For those participants from the ambulance, fire, Coastguard and other services that are watching our backs on a regular basis, 24/7, although this was a practice session of something they may have to do, it was also something of a rare treat and I truly hope they enjoyed it.”
PHOTO GALLERY:
A jolly boys outing for ambulance office staff.
That was a jolly military slang for day out
Nice to see. (It can carry 10 Tons, underslung if necessary)