The last 1 Regiment Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter has left Gütersloh in Germany, marking the top of British military flying within the country.
The last flight brought an end to an extended association with Germany stretching back to 1975 when the regiment first formed up in Lower Saxony.
During their time at Gütersloh elements of the regiment have deployed on operations 17 different times, the latest occasions being Operation Protego (for the London Olympic Games) and Operation Herrick 18 (Afghanistan).
With the regiment rebasing within the UK next year, where they’re going to convert to using the recent Wildcat helicopter, the unit, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tedman, hosted quite a few events over last week to formally mark the cessation of British military flying in Germany.
The 3 highlights were the presentation of Afghanistan Operational Service Medals to a cohort of personnel from 661 Squadron and the helicopter handling detachment, who had only days before returned from Afghanistan, a ‘mini-heroes’ parade where the kids of deployed personnel were awarded their very own medals, and the general farewell Lynx helicopter flight.
Whilst in theater 661 Squadron completed over 1,000 flying hours in support of operations and their engineers proudly achieved the very best serviceability levels. And the helicopter handling detachment worked hard managing helicopter landing sites.
In his address to the medal parade Brigadier Neil Sexton, Deputy Commander Joint Helicopter Command and professional head of the military Air Corps, congratulated everyone on what have been a tough tour in a challenging environment and extended his personal as a result of all of the families for the support they supply.
He concluded by adding:
“Wear your medals with pride, enjoy your deserved leave and stay up for the exciting future that awaits you within the Wildcat era.”
Speaking after the ‘mini-heroes’ parade, Corporal Matthew Garvin said:
“It is amazing that the regiment have held this parade for our kids; our families are incredibly important and it’s great to determine that the youngsters are recognised and never forgotten about.”
Concluding the week’s events, Commander Royal Artillery HQ 1st (UK) Armored Division, Brigadier Simon Humphrey, addressed 1 Regiment Army Air Corps on parade. He said:
“It is a big privilege for me to be here today to formally mark this crucial event – the cessation of British military flying in Germany.
“The regiment has a proud record during the last twenty years and it is vital that we take the chance to mirror with pride on all of these achievements. Well done.”
Brigadier Humphrey also took the chance to acknowledge formally in front of the regiment the award of a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery within the Air to Major John Tymon for his outstanding airmanship and command that averted the demise following a catastrophic engine failure during a routine assessment flight in December 2011.
To mark the last flight of the Lynx from Gütersloh it was wholly appropriate that Major Tymon led the helicopters on a last farewell past the air traffic control tower and his watching colleagues.
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