7 (Training) Regiment Army Air Corps
Military unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
7 (Training) Regiment Army Air Corps is a regiment of the British Army under Joint Aviation Command.[2] The regiment is responsible for providing all of the flight training of Army Air Corps (AAC) pilots.[3] The regiment is based at the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop.[3]
| 7 (Training) Regiment Army Air Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | c. 1969 – present[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Aviation |
| Role | Training |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | Joint Aviation Command |
| Base | Middle Wallop Flying Station |
Structure
The regiment consists of three squadrons:[3]
- No. 653 Squadron AAC conducts the Conversion to Role training on the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter.
- No. 673 Squadron AAC conducts Conversion to Type training on the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter for both newly qualified and experienced Army pilots.[3][4]
Former
- No. 25 Flight AAC was based at Nanyuki in Kenya and was responsible for providing 24/7 medical evacuation and range clearances for the British Army Training Unit Kenya until 2015.[3][5]
History
7 Army Aviation Regiment was formed c. 1969 at Airfield Camp, Netheravon.[1] In 1971, the regiment was renamed to 7 Regiment Army Air Corps.[1] During its time as a regular unit, the following squadrons and flights were part of the regiment: 651 Squadron, 658 Squadron, 2 Flight and 8 Flight.[1] 658 Squadron had reformed c. 1982.[6] The Agusta A109A helicopter had entered service with 8 Flight in 1984.[7] 666 (V) Squadron had become part of the regiment in 1986.[1][8]
In April 1995, the regiment re-roled as a volunteer unit 7 Regiment AAC (V).[1][9][6] The regiment consisted of 666 Squadron (V), 658 Squadron (V), 3 Flight (V) at RAF Turnhouse (later RAF Leuchars) and 6 Flight (V) based at Shawbury.[1][10][11]
On 1 April 2009, the regiment re-roled as a regular training unit 7 (Training) Regiment AAC based at Middle Wallop as part of the School of Army Aviation.[3] On 1 August 2009, the school was renamed as the Army Aviation Centre.[3] The regiment consisted of 670 Squadron, 671 Squadron and 673 Squadron.[3]