Rotary-wing aircraft between jet aircraft: Air Force special operations forces exercising during Air Defender

At first, the Greek F-16 and the American A-10 aircraft catch the eye at the Lechfeld airfield during Air Defender 23. Also involved: four H145M LUH SOFLight Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forces helicopters. The light utility helicopters are flown by the pilots and tactical operators of 4 Flying Squadron of 64 Helicopter Wing from Laupheim.

Zoom

The major objective of the helicopter aircrews within the scope of the exercise is rapid deployments and engagements together with NATO countries. “This role as first responder is daily business for us”, explains the Commander, 4 Flying Squadron. “As Air Force special operations forces, we must be rapidly deployable all over the world at any time; this also includes national and collective defence in Germany.” Throughout Europe, the helicopters can autonomously deploy to their targets without problems. However, there is also a plan for deployments over further distances. The main rotor blades of the H145M are disassembled and the helicopter including its aircrew and technical component can be transported to their location of employment by, for example, an A400M transport aircraft.

Below radar level

The task of the Air Force special operations forces during Air Defender is the conduct of special forces operations in concert with other air forces. In his last exercise mission, the squadron commander and his fellow soldiers had to get very far behind enemy lines without being seen. In such operations, the enemy combat aircraft and air defence must not reconnoitre the helicopters since the aircrews can get to their target in this way only. “The support by jet aircraft of our Allies provides us with the necessary backing to accomplish our mission”, he explains further.

The aircrews of the H145M LUH SOFLight Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forces helicopters are familiar with flying at low altitudes and under difficult conditions. The soldiers of the squadron practice this every day at home in the Swabian town of Laupheim and they have also proved their capabilities within the scope of the “JSOTFJoint Special Operations Task Force GAZELLE” mission in the African country of Niger for two years. “Air Defender offers us the opportunity to train our capabilities in concert with other NATO forces. It is astonishing how well we can already act in cooperation with our Allies”, continues the squadron commander. But also, insights into the own capabilities can be gained. “As a squadron, we were able to find out that we can absolutely hold our own in such a scenario with the capabilities we currently have. New to us, however, is the large number of national and international aircraft.”

The H145M LUH SOFLight Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forces helicopters must be ready in a perfect technical condition so that the employment of the 64 Helicopter Wing specialists is possible. Therefore, a technical component of 64 Helicopter Wing is always an integral component of a Special Operations Air Task Unit (SOATU) and hence also involved in this exercise. It is part of the support personnel of the special operations forces.

Latest technical equipment

The new ground support vehicle, GSV in short, is also involved in the exercise. “By using this technical support vehicle, we can independently maintain our helicopters in serviceable condition even in rough terrain”, says Philipp. He is aircraft maintenance officer for the H145M LUH SOFLight Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forces helicopter. “With our GSV, we can transport both personnel and materiel in a quick and simple manner and also move and service the helicopters on the ground.” Particularly useful features are the installed crane to change engines, for example, and the option to use the vehicle as a forklift truck for the heavy ammunition boxes or other heavy materiel. “This vehicle offers us extreme mobility during operations”, explains the young officer further.

Originally, the GSV was procured as a fast-track initiative for operations within the scope of the JSOTFJoint Special Operations Task Force GAZELLE mission in the African country of Niger. “Prior to that, we had to use vehicles in the country of deployment. Those countries mostly can neither provide the required quantities nor the capabilities of the vehicles. With the GSV, we as technical component for the first time maintain our independent mobility during operations as well”, says Philipp.

Small but excellent, ideal for national and collective defence

With no more than 3.56 metres in length, the ground support vehicle has the astonishing payload of 680 kilogrammes. In addition to the crane, a cable winch can be installed. The integrated generator also provides new courses of action. With its help, tools can be operated, accumulators can be charged, and even the H145M LUH SOFLight Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forces helicopters can be supplied with power. The rapid deployment capability, for example, in the A400M transport aircraft, renders it highly mobile for any operational scenarios.

“Air Defender offers us the opportunity to test the GSV in a mission-oriented scenario. The vehicle helps us provide the helicopters in a quick and relatively easy manner to the operators. In this way, we can make our contribution to mission accomplishment in this exercise of the Alliance in the best possible manner”, concludes Philipp.