A group of Apache attack helicopters of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps left Wattisham Flying Station on April 15 for Estonia to take part in exercises and training with NATO and UK forces.

The Apaches are deploying to Estonia, Latvia and Poland for three months, wher they will work with NATO allies on Estonia’s annual Exercise Spring Storm and the UK-led battlegroup deployed on NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) mission. A group of Wildcat battlefield reconnaissance helicopters has already arrived at Tapa in eastern Estonia, it was announced on April 15.

The five helicopters, from 663 Squadron routed to the north and west of London, making a formation flypast over the Polish War Memorial at Northolt, before flying along the Thames heli-lanes and crossing the Channel.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, MP, who watched the formation depart Wattisham said: “The first deployment of Apache helis to Estonia underlines our position at the forefront of NATO. This is a world class machine operated by our world class aviators and this shows our commitment to NATO’s defence. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for this.”