USAF CV-22B Osprey & RAF Chinook rip up the Air Weapons Range (AWR) at RAF Holbeach. Great use of machine guns from both air forces, but who's gonna take down the ship? That ship has gotta go!

RAF Holbeach today serves as an Air Weapons Range (AWR). It is situated at the edge of Gedney Drove End and lies in the Wash, between Boston and King’s Lynn. As this is an Air Weapons Range, for your own safety, do not enter the range if the RED flags are up, this means that the range is ACTIVE. There are also lights that indicate that the range is in use too. Also, never tamper, touch or remove any metal objects, shells or anything like this off the range.

You will see a variety of static targets and retired merchant ships which act as targets too. It is used by RAF, USAF and other NATO aircraft. RAF Holbeach does not have a runway but it does have a heli pad near the tower. You will notice four towers which are called quadrants, which act as observation towers. Bombs have been dropped here since 1926, when the range was first opened.

So first up is the CV-22B Osprey from RAF Mildenhall of the 352d Special Operations Wing (or more specifically, the 7th Special Operations Squadron) is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Its mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22B can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22B takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.

Armament: one .50 Cal Machine gun on ramp

Next up, is the Chinook from RAF Benson with callsign “Vortex 442” (Reg ZD983). The Chinook is an extremely capable and highly versatile support helicopter. Take it to a jungle, whack it in the desert or base it on a ship, arm it for battle space or use it for search and rescue, this iconic helicopter has a diverse range of capabilities. It has a triple-hook load system, internal cargo winch and large reservers of power, the aircraft can lift a wide variety of complex freight and vehicles, plus it can carry 55 troops or up to 10 tonnes of mixed cargo.

Armament: two 7.62mm M134 Miniguns and one 7.62mm M60D machine gun

More info:

RAF Holbeach
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Directions and spotting guide
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Government stuff
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CV-22 Osprey
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RAF Chinook
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#raf #chinook #rafholbeach

Date recorded: 29th March 2022

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