Helicopter woes extend to crews

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Even if the apparent helicopter shortage in places such as Afghanistan was resolved, the Armed Forces would lack the proper number of crewmembers and trainers required to ensure that all helicopters are adequately staffed according to new MoD statistics.

The figures, which were released to Parliament last week show that a number of key helicopters used in Afghanistan do not have the required number of crewmembers to effectively operate. The figures come at a time when a growing number of MPs are calling for the government to supply as many helicopters as possible for troops in operations.

In total the Forces are 121 crewmembers or around 10 per cent short of their required crew strength of 1,445 personnel.

Among the high profile crew shortages is the Chinook helicopter, one of the most visible aircraft in Afghan operations. The RAF is 40 crewmembers short of its 262 man requirement.

The RAF's Merlin fleet, which is due to deploy to Afghanistan in late 2009, has only 130 of the 159 required crewmembers in its ranks, or around 82 per cent of its strength.

The Army's Apache attack helicopter, which ground troops rely on for fire support, is only at 80 per cent of its required crew strength of 100 men.

There are a few positives from the list of statistics however. The Augusta 109, Puma, Gazelle Mk 1 and Lynx Mk 7/9 are all at full strength while the Merlin MK1, Sea King Mk5 and Mk7, the Squirrel, RAF Sea King and Griffin fleets all had minimal crew shortages.

Any attempt to boost the number of crewmembers across the Armed Forces however may be somewhat problematic after another set of statistics revealed that the MoD is 42 personnel short of its requirement of 311 helicopter instructors. Notable shortages included Lynx which was nine instructors short, the Puma which was missing seven instructors, the Sea King which was six instructors short and the Apache which was short of five instructors.