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UKSF Aviation

Air support for UKSF operations is provided by some highly trained pilots from all branches of the UK military.

 ELITE AVIATION PHOTO
special forces C-130j
Inside the cockpit of a Special Forces C-130J Hercules.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Bruch/Released
(click for fullsize image)
 
 7 SQUADRON RAF
7 Squadron
7 Sqn flies chinook helicopters on special operations.
more info: 7 Squadron RAF
image by Cpl Lee Goddard  | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2015
Used under Open Government Licence
 
 COMMANDO SEA KINGS
SCO19
Commando Helicopter Forces Sea Kings insert Brigade Patrol Troop Royal Marines.
more info: Commando Helicopter Force
Image by PO Tam McDonald | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2015
Used under Open Government Licence
 

RAF Special Forces Flights

RAF Special Forces are the cream of the RAF, tasked with flying UKSF forces to and from battle. Trained to penetrate deep behind enemy lines, RAF Special Forces flights operate both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.


Army Air Corps (AAC)

Army pilots fly battlefield insertion/extraction and surveillance operations for UKSF. They also provide a covert transport facility for the Special Air Service.

7 Squadron RAF & 658 Squadron AAC are combined into the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing (JSFAW)


Royal Navy

Commando Helicopter Force

Top pilots from the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm support Royal Marines, SBS and other UKSF operations.

815 Naval Air Squadron

815 NAS Maritime Interdiction Flight are on standby to support UKSF Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT).

771 Naval Air Squadron

771 NAS carried out Search and Rescue (SAR) and Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) operations.


Other Aviation Support

UKSF, as well as the Paras and Royal Marines may also be supported by any of the many squadrons in the RAF, AAC or Fleet Air Arm. For instance, it is believed that 4 RAF Puma HC1s, operated by No 33 & No 230 Squadrons RAF, supported SAS Task Force Black in Iraq.


It is also believed that UK Special Forces in Afghanistan were sometimes supported by British-operated MI-8/MI-17 helicopters. These Russian-built helicopters were fitted with western radio gear and countermeasure systems, additional armour and GPMGs mounted in the cabin doors. UKSF used the MI-17s for several reasons: there was a shortage of helicopters capable of operating across the mountains of Afghanistan, the ubiquitous MI-17 airframe was less obviously Western in appearance than say, a Chinook, and spare parts were easy to find in the region.


As well as operating the C-130J Hercules, the RAF is also developing the tactical role for its C-17a globemaster III and A400M Atlas airlifters.

more info:


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RM Green Team
Green Team
Royal Marines Boarding Team
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SFSG Marksman
SFSG soldier armed with HK417 rifle
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SRT
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Squadron Reconnaissance Team (SRT)
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