First Venom delivered to Czech Air Force

On 17 August 2023, three weeks after the delivery of first AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, the first Bell UH-1Y Venom was delivered to the Vzdušné síly armády České republiky (CzAF, Czech Air Force) at Námest air base (Czechia).

The Venom (serial 0490), together with the third Viper (serial 0488), were air-freighted by US Air Force C-17A Globemaster III. The C-17A, serial 02-1099, departed Amarillo (TX) on 16 August and made a stop at Bangor (ME) before continuing to Czechia.

The new helicopters will be operated by 22.Základna Vrtulníkového Letectva (22.zL), which controls 221.vrtulníkovou letka and 222.vrtulníkovou letka (Helicopter Squadron) currently operating Mi-24V and Mi-35 attack helicopters and Mi-171Sh transport helicopters.

In total, the CzAF will receive ten UH-1Y Venoms and ten AH-1Z Vipers.

Photo by Czech Armed Forces