Otterburn Live Firing Exercise

By PGS Photographic - Specialists in Aviation

and Aerial photography - D J Lang

Red flag indicates live firing © Donald LangAs part of each Apache Sqn's operational work up, live fire missions have to be held in order for the crews to gain proficiency.

The Otterburn area of Northumberland is a vast area of sparsely moorland where this type of training is carried out with minimal environmental impact.

The ranges here are used by numerous units and have a wide rang of targets available for the crews to hone their skills on.

 

The following images show some of the targets available, as well as the aircraft in it's natural low level environment.

Targets on the range © Donald Lang    AH at low level © Donald Lang    A pair of Apaches © Donald Lang

 

The nose mounted chain gun in action, the "bad guys" view, and departing the area.

Chain Gun in action © Donald Lang    "Bad Guys" view © Donald Lang    AH departs © Donald Lang

 

Back to the FARP for re-arm and refuelling

Apache returns to the FARP © Donald Lang    Replenishing the 30mm rounds © Donald Lang    Reloading the CRV-7s © Donald Lang

 

And finally some CRV-7 action

CRV-7 goes in.... © Donald Lang    ....CRV-7 comes out © Donald Lang    Resultant hits © Donald Lang

All images in this article © Donald Lang