The Army Helicopter Force Participates in the Operational Evaluation of the Ship Juan Carlos I

 

The Chinook on the deck of the ship Juan Carlos I (Photo:Army Helicopter Force)
 

The events were undertaken in Rota (Cádiz) (Photo:Army Helicopter Force)

Various Army Helicopter Force crews from the 5th Transport Helicopter Battalion have participated –with the HT-17 Chinook transport helicopter- in the operational evaluation of the Navy’s strategic projection ship LHD Juan Carlos I, from 15th to 17th January, on the naval base in Rota (Cádiz).
 

The tests, under the direction of the Navy Evaluation Centre for Combat, consisted of verification of the capability to load the helicopters with the ship’s crane, as well as the compatibility of its installations and equipment for operation, refuelling, parking in the cargo hangar and execution of HT-17 maintenance tasks. Subsequently, they carried out Chinook landings and deployments, as well as fastening down the helicopter on deck.  .
 

This evaluation is prior to the incorporation of this ship in the Navy’s operational cycle.  The collaboration between the Army and Navy, with the aim of optimising the efficiency of their capabilities, has once again demonstrated the versatility of the Army Helicopter Force.