No. 29 (BATUS) Flight AAC

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29 (BATUS) Flight AAC
Army Gazelle Helicopter on Training Exercise at BATUS in Canada MOD 45153753.jpg
29 Flight Gazelle helicopter during a training exercise at BATUS in Canada
ActiveSuspended since October 2021
Country Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
BranchFlag of the British Army.svg  British Army
Size Flight
Part of Army Air Corps
Base Canadian Forces Base Suffield

The 29 (BATUS) Flight Army Air Corps was an independent flight within the British Army's Army Air Corps that supported British Army Training Unit Suffield.

Contents

The flight has been suspended since 2021.

History

It previously supported the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS). [1]

BATUS conducts major training exercises in the Canadian province of Alberta, at the Canadian Forces Base Suffield. [2] 29 Flight provided aviation support for the training. Its roles included supervision, CASEVAC (casualty evacuation), reconnaissance, liaison and limited lift of passengers and equipment. [3]

The flight last operated Westland Gazelle AH.1 helicopters, until the suspension of the flight in October 2021. The Gazelle helicopter was retired from service in October 2023. [4] [5] [6]

5 Regiment AAC had administrative responsibility for 29 Flight. [7]

The flight was suspended in October 2021, leaving BATUS with no UK aviation support. There are currently fewer than 5 Army Air Corps Regular personnel based at BATUS as of October 2024. [8]

See also

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References

  1. "29 (BATUS) Flight Army Air Corps". British Army. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  2. "The British Army in Canada". British Army. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  3. "29 (BATUS) Flight AAC". British Army. 13 August 2006. Archived from the original on 16 October 2006. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  4. Zubova, Xenia (24 October 2023). "Goodbye Gazelle: Helicopter retiring from Army Air Corps after 49 years". Forces Network. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  5. Ripley, Tim (2011). British Army Aviation in Action. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Books. p. 54. ISBN   978-1-84884-670-8.
  6. The Army Air Corps [@ArmyAirCorps] (29 August 2019). "Great footage of 29 Flight AAC and their fleet of Gazelle helicopters" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  7. "5 Regiment Army Air Corps". British Army. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  8. "20241128 FOI22256 response.pdf". www.whatdotheyknow.com. Retrieved 30 November 2024.

50°16′25″N111°10′44″W / 50.2737°N 111.1790°W / 50.2737; -111.1790