Lots of military helicopter traffic (N. Lincs)

[darren9]

I live in Kirton Lindsey North Lincs, infact I live within spitting distance of RAF Kirton Lindsey. As far as I can tell not a lot goes on there.

Or so I thought ... today there seems to be an awful lot of helicopter traffic in and out I've seen 6 or 7 sea kings, a couple of Lynx's and a couple of chinooks as I type this I can hear the sound of another helicopters engines (but not sure what it is as I didn't see this one come in) any idea whats going on?

Its kept me entertained for most of the day.

[Ross1988]

I'm not sure, but go and get some snaps! Possibly an exercise of some sort? Do they ship out to Afghanistan from the RAF base near to you?

[darren9]

Ross1988 said:

I'm not sure, but go and get some snaps! Possibly an exercise of some sort? Do they ship out to Afghanistan from the RAF base near to you?

I'd get snaps but its got dark now.

I don't know what they do at the base but its the 1st time I've heard/seen any helicopters here. I did think about Afghanistan but we're not far from Waddington/Scampton which have runways and stuff (which Kirton doesn't) so surely they'd just get a bus and go from there? (<I'm sure I'm showing masses of military knowledge!!!)

[staceyb]

There has been loads flying about for the past few weeks. I've saw at least 20 chinooks about 10 sea kings and lynxs. They all seem to fly hell for leather westwards in the morning and fly back east in the evening at about 50ft up. I'm in Ealand.

[The Hypno-Toad]

They are probably moving the ballot boxes with the 'correct' number of Labour votes in them around the country....

This is meant as a humourous observation as I believe that our wonderful armed services would tell winky to eff off if he did try and use them for something like that. As you were.

[roryfizz]

I must say i have been seeing a large amount of military traffic transiting over central london. Saw 2 RAF spec Merlins yesterday closely followed by two FULLY tooled up Apaches, saw another Merlin and the standard Chinooks that fly over nearly every day!

On another note i've also seen a single engined light aircraft a few times, not usual airtraffic for london and was wondering what it was doing if anyone is in the know!

[Taffer]

If it's a couple of Lynx, 2 or 3 Chinooks, a few Sea King Mk.4s (Dark Green) and a Sea King Mk.5 (Grey and orange), then chances are they'll be on exercise, practicing dropping SF units onto oil rigs/ shipping in the North Sea.

Hang on there's some black helicopters overhead and some gentlemen at the do................................

[darren9]

Taffer said:

If it's a couple of Lynx, 2 or 3 Chinooks, a few Sea King Mk.4s (Dark Green) and a Sea King Mk.5 (Grey and orange), then chances are they'll be on exercise, practicing dropping SF units onto oil rigs/ shipping in the North Sea.

That's the fella's. Thanks, they were at it until 11 last night. I've been working today so I've been out but they seem pretty busy again this evening.

Edited by darren9 on Wednesday 7th April 17:54

[CastrolCraig.]

Taffer said:

If it's a couple of Lynx, 2 or 3 Chinooks, a few Sea King Mk.4s (Dark Green) and a Sea King Mk.5 (Grey and orange), then chances are they'll be on exercise, practicing dropping SF units onto oil rigs/ shipping in the North Sea.

Hang on there's some black helicopters overhead and some gentlemen at the do................................

no SF tac areas up here matey, would sooner say its newbie pilots out on night training, as kirton in lindsey was transferred to raf control shortly after i left from being based with 32 cmdo battery there.

also they have been heading to donna nook bombing range a lot recently...

[TheEnd]

2 Apaches passed over B'ham, heading towards, but not stopping at the airport on Friday

[eharding]

darren9 said:

I live in Kirton Lindsey North Lincs, infact I live within spitting distance of RAF Kirton Lindsey. As far as I can tell not a lot goes on there.

Or so I thought ... today there seems to be an awful lot of helicopter traffic in and out I've seen 6 or 7 sea kings, a couple of Lynx's and a couple of chinooks as I type this I can hear the sound of another helicopters engines (but not sure what it is as I didn't see this one come in) any idea whats going on?

Its kept me entertained for most of the day.

Exercise HAWSERS LINK NORTH

[Taffer]

CastrolCraig. said:

Taffer said:

If it's a couple of Lynx, 2 or 3 Chinooks, a few Sea King Mk.4s (Dark Green) and a Sea King Mk.5 (Grey and orange), then chances are they'll be on exercise, practicing dropping SF units onto oil rigs/ shipping in the North Sea.

Hang on there's some black helicopters overhead and some gentlemen at the do................................

no SF tac areas up here matey, would sooner say its newbie pilots out on night training, as kirton in lindsey was transferred to raf control shortly after i left from being based with 32 cmdo battery there.

also they have been heading to donna nook bombing range a lot recently...

No - this tri-service 'group' rehearse for envisaged CT scenarios, e.g. hijacked ships and rigs - as such, part of the exercise is to set up an HQ near an incident and operate from there. Usually, quiet airfields or large ones with plenty of space away from the main ops area are used. In the past they have had exercises in Cornwall (Culdrose) and Lincolnshire (Waddington), with the exercise areas being rigs or RFA/RMAS vessels. I was lucky enough to go on one when I was on holdover between courses during my RN time. The make-up of the formation is important, as each helo type plays a different role in the op - it's highly unlikely you'll find Chinooks, Lynxes and Sea King Mk4/5s operating together for any other purpose.

EDIT: eharding's link confirms it - it was still called Ex Hawser Link when I went on it. I imagine the Grimsby news or other local rags will have a word or two on it. The exercise and its objectives are sometimes quietly publicised, but not in depth for obvious reasons.

Edited by Taffer on Wednesday 7th April 23:46