The School of Electrical and Aeronautical Engineering (SEAE) at Arborfield-Hazebrouck Barracks is part of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE). This is a joint service organisation, responsible for all aviation engineer training for the RAF, AAC and FAA. One of the helicopters in use at Arborfield for engineering training is this Lynx AH7.

The backbone of British Army aviation is the Lynx helicopter. During the Cold War years, it was in use as an anti-tank helicopter, equipped with TOW missiles. Since the Apache AH1 was taken on charge, the role of the Lynx changed into liaisons, observation, light transport and battlefield support. While working up for deployment to Afghanistan, the here shown Lynx AH7 (XZ216) was deployed to the Salisbury Plain.

Both 1 Regt and 9 Regt are equipped with Lynx AH7 and Lynx AH9 helicopters. The helicopters are assigned to the maintenance pool of each individual Regiment, and allocated to a squadron when needed for operations. They therefor do not carry any squadron markings.

Reporting directly to the HQ Director Army Aviation, 667(D&T)sq at Middle Wallop is the Army Air Corps (AAC) test and development squadron. It is equipped with a few Gazelle AH1 and Lynx AH7 helicopters, but if required additional helicopters are operation on loan basis from other AAC units. The here shown Gazelle AH1 (ZA772) was seen at its homebase, on 19 October 2009.

The Apache helicopters do not carry any individual unit markings. Even though the helicopters are assigned to a specific Regiment (3 Regt or 4 Regt), they are operated from a joint maintenance pool. ZJ220 is shown here just prior to take off from the Salisbury Plains.

The Apache suffered from quite some bad press in Great Britain. This was mainly due to delivery delays and budget overruns, which, combined with the end of the Cold War, made several people doubt the use of this expensive fighting machine. Its deployment to the Helmand Province, in Afghanistan, made them change their mind quickly! Strangly this machine, which is built to kill, became a life saver in Afghanistan. With its on board sensors, and its weapons suit, the Apache is able to provide the British soldiers on the ground with both life saving information of the battlefield situation, and close air support. Here ZJ233 is seen hovering over the Salisbury Plains, during a pre-deployment training mission.