Apaches prepare for Exercise 'Defender Europe 20'

Soldiers who fly and maintain the potent Apache attack helicopter are preparing for a major exercise to demonstrate the British Army’s ability to rapidly deploy in support of our allies.

The Apaches of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, bolstered with Wildcat reconnaissance helicopters and RAF Chinook support helicopters, will be among more than 2,500 British troops taking part in Exercise Defender Europe 20.

The pilots and groundcrew of 3 Regt AAC’s 662 Squadron, based at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk, have been put through their paces this week on the STANTA Ranges in Norfolk ahead of the deployment, which will see them training in Germany and Poland in the spring.

Defender Europe 20 is a US Army-led exercise involving 35,000 troops from 18 nations. It aims to demonstrate the ability to rapidly surge combat ready forces into and across Europe to support the NATO alliance.