British helicopters return from eastern Europe NATO deployment

British helicopters from across Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) have returned to the UK following a NATO deployment in eastern Europe.

After deploying with just 24 hours' notice in February, the JHC deployment on Operation Peleda came to an end on 14 August.

The aircraft has been supporting the UK's Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Europe, working alongside NATO, Joint Expeditionary Forces and UK partner nations and allies.

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This saw the helicopters take part in more than 24 military exercises from operating bases in Lithuania and Estonia.

Across the 24-week deployment, Apache, Wildcat, Puma and Chinook helicopter detachments completed lift, find, attach and aviation command and control tasks across the north-east of Europe.

The deployment also saw live-firing take place during Exercise Saber Strike, troop insertions on Exercise Griffin Thunder and the JHC helicopters complete a transport mission for the Estonian Navy – delivering 7.5 tonnes of supplies to Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland.

Alongside battlefield aviation exercises, the helicopters also took part in engagements with their host nations and allies.

This included flying the Lithuanian president across an active training area and supporting the Estonian Victory Day celebrations.