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In Combat
Aviation assists Scots' return from Helmand Province
U.S. Army photo
Soldiers with The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, British Army dismounting a CH-47F Chinook helicopter on Forward Operating Base Bastion after being exfiltrated from Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Five Chinooks retrieved the more than 100 Soldiers on ground in support of a deliberate operation lasting five days for the regiment.
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan—After nearly a week of counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics operations in areas North of Lashkar Gah, Soldiers from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland were exfiltrated by Chinook helicopters from Helmand Province June 24.
U.S. Aviation helicopters from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade assisted in the establishment of International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) presence in Helmand province during the Air Assault insertion of more than 350 Scottish Soldiers from the British Army days earlier in support of Operation Panchai Palang (Panther’s Claw).
"We are most grateful for the dedicated and courageous pilots and crew who got us into the heart of insurgency safe haven and extracted us when the job was done," said Lieutenant Commander Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer, The Black Watch 3 SCOTS (RBG(S)).
Included in the assault where twelve U.S. and UK Chinook helicopters, and 13 other support helicopters providing security, including AH-64D Apache helicopters, UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, Harrier jets, and unmanned aircraft for surveillance.
"This was the first time that [The Black Watch 3 SCOTS] RBG(S) had worked with 82nd CAB and it was a roaring success," said Cartwright. "From the integration of planning, the meeting of minds in our operational design and the exemplary execution of the combined plan, it was a stunning partnership that yielded success for the key initial objectives on Operation Panchai Palang."
Met shortly after by ground forces and supported by Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), the Soldiers successfully established checkpoints and sustained security throughout the area claimed as a "Taliban stronghold".
"The successful air assault of the Scot Soldiers is a direct response of the flawless planning and joint effort between the British and U.S. Forces," said Chief Warrant Officer Steve Buchanan, CH-47F Chinook helicopter pilot, 3rd Battalion, 82nd CAB.
U.S. Army photo
Chief Warrant Officer Heath Barrett, CH-47F Chinook helicopter pilot, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade views another CH-47F Chinook helicopter from the cockpit as the trail helicopter during an exfiltration mission, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army photo
Prior to mission launch, four (of five total) CH-47F Chinook helicopters simultaneously perform movement checks on the ramp at Kandahar Airfield to ensure aircraft maneuver capabilities. The five helicopters launched in support of an exfiltration mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army photo
Flares deploy from the back of a CH-47F Chinook helicopter as the aircraft approaches a dust landing in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Photo
Moving on line with each other, four (of five total) CH-47F Chinook helicopters approach a landing zone where over 100 Soldiers from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, British Army await their exfiltration after a five-day mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.