Helicopters from the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force are taking part in Exercise HADES WARRIOR. It is an RAF exercise involving Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force helicopters. Three Commando Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron and a Commando Merlin Mk4 from 845 Naval Air Squadron are interacting with Apache and Army Wildcats, with phases that include Royal Air Force fast jets.
Over 200 Pilots, Aircrew, and ground support staff, have deployed to RAF Leeming over a two-week period. Running daily flying sorties across the north of England and into Scotland, the exercise provides first class training for Aircrew and a golden opportunity to showcase Joint Aviation Command and enablers, as a vital element of the UK’s readiness and capability on Joint Operations and the Joint Service nature of bringing all Force Elements under a single Command.
Led by Aviation Task Force (Support Helicopter) (ATF(SH)) HQ personnel deployed from RAF Benson FHQ and 22 Squadron, the exercise is the dedicated annual flying phase of the JAC Qualified Weapons Instructor (Helicopter) course (QWI(H)).
Thursday 10th July 2025 Ex HADES WARRIOR at RAF Leeming.Commencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forCommencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forCommencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forCommencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forCommencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forThursday 10th July 2025 Ex HADES WARRIOR at RAF Leeming.Commencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forCommencing Monday, 7th July 2025 Exercise (Ex) HADES WARRIOR began at Royal Air Force (RAF) Leeming (LEE)which is the rotary element of Ex AGILE SPEAR an annual Training Ex that takes part at LEE every year. RAF Benson personnel from ATF are here in roles J1-J9 to show their operational effectiveness remains following the retirement of Puma HC Mk2, the Tri-Service exercise will involve British Army Wildcats and Apaches and Royal Navy Merlins along side the RAF CH-47 Chinook. The services will be in situ forRAF Benson is home to two front-line Puma HC2 Helicopter squadrons and one Operational Conversion Unit, flying a mix of Puma HC2 and Chinook HC4 Helicopters. It is also home to the Operational Evaluation Unit of the Joint Helicopter Command. RAF Benson is also home to the civillian National Police Air Service and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance which operate 24 hours a day.
