Reports - Rickinghamphotography.co.uk

60 Years of SAR

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 09 January 2013

2013 marks the 60^th anniversary of Royal Navy Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) . Between January and March 2013 alone military Search and Rescue units attended 389 incidents, resulting in 433 callouts and 403 persons being moved which shows just how important SAR is to the United Kingdom. Rick Ingham Photography took a closer look at 771NAS and their life saving work...

25 Flight Leaves Belize

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 08 July 2011

Belize is the most northern country of Central America, neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala. Guatemala has claimed the territory of Belize is theirs but is now currently an independent Commonwealth Realm which recognises Queen Elizabeth II as its Head of State. The British forces have been in Belize to prevent a Guatemala invasion for many years and led to establishing a Garrison and bringing in a flight of Harriers in the event Belize was invaded.

RAF Odiham OCF

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 09 May 2011

The Royal Air Force placed an order for 15 Boeing Chinook CH-47B helicopters in March 1967, which was later cancelled in a defence spending review in November 1967.
In 1978 a new requirement to replace the Westland Wessex resulted in a new order of 30 Chinook CH47C helicopters which entered service at RAF Odiham in December 1980 at over $200,000,000.

Jetstream Farewell

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 22 March 2011

The 11th March 2011 saw the Royal Navy retire the Jetstream T.2 from service. An aircraft that well and truly earnt it's retirement with 38 years service under it's belt. Rick Ingham Photography sent two days at RNAS Culdrose to say goodbye.

Project Julius

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 24 January 2011

The Royal Air Force’s Boeing Chinook helicopters have been used in every conflict since they entered service in 1981 including Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, the Gulf War and the Falklands. It’s no surprise then that the fleet are starting to show signs of age.

Harrier Farewell

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 15 December 2010

On the 19th October 2010, Prime Minister David Cameron revealed the SDR (Strategic Defence Review) and announced the decision to retire the Harrier due to spending cuts. 44 Years after the Harrier's first flight, on the 15th December 2010. 16 aircraft flew a diamond formation over local airfields before returning to RAF Cottesmore in Rutland for the final time. Rick Ingham Photography takes a look back on the jet's service and it's last moments of service.

Project Curium

Details: Category: Aircraft In Focus; Published: 04 March 2010

The Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire has contained many secrets over it's thousands of years. The mysterious Stonehenge and even the Big Cats of Edington. But if someone said that a Russian helicopter, flown by Afghan crew and tutored by a New Zealand pilot was calling Salisbury Plain home, you would be right to laugh. I spent 2009/2010 documenting the two elusive aircraft and finding out exactly what they were up to...

Op Herrick 19

Details: Category: Exercises; Published: 16 September 2013

The 7th Armoured Brigade, otherwise known as ‘The Desert Rats’ have been taking part in their Final Training Exercise (FTX) on Salisbury Plain before their deployment to Hellmand Province in Afghanistan to take over the role of Task Force Helmand (TFH).

Finnish Hawks at RAF Valley

Details: Category: Exercises; Published: 05 September 2013

On Monday 02^nd September 2013 six BAe Hawk Mk51’s from the Finnish Air Force arrived at RAF Valley in Wales for a weeks exercise with 4 Sqn.

Armée de Terre at Middle Wallop

Details: Category: Exercises; Published: 18 April 2013

As part of an ongoing development of interoperability between the UK and French armed forces, the Army Air Corps invited a contingent of French Helicopters to AAC Middle Wallop.

Exercise Pashtun Dawn 17

Details: Category: Exercises; Published: 13 September 2012

Exercise Pashtun Dawn 17 took place between the 14th August and 3rd of September 2012 on Salisbury Plain.
The pre-deployment ex was to prepare 4th Mechanized Brigade for their deployment 'HERRICK 17' in October 2012 to replace 12th Mechanized Brigade on a six-month tour as the lead formation of Task Force Helmand.

Operation Wyvern Tor

Details: Category: Exercises; Published: 13 May 2012

In September 1960, the Junior Leaders Regiment - Royal Corps of Signals came up with the Ten Tors challenge for 200 youngsters and used it as a logistics exercise.
1986 saw the event handed over to 43 (Wessex) Brigade, the regional HQ for the Territorial Army in the Southwest.