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A Polish Air Force Fitter farewell

Historic Reports

A Polish Air Force Fitter farewell

On the 10th and 11th of September, a significant chapter in the history of the Polish Air Force came to a close, as the nation officially retired the Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter from active service. Operated by Poland for over four decades, the iconic swing-wing fighter-bomber served as a mainstay of the country’s tactical strike capability throughout the latter stages of the Cold War and into the 21st century. In this article, Mark Empson explores the Su-22's storied career within the Polish Air Force and reports from the retirement celebrations that marked the end of operations for this cold war era aircraft.

By Mark Empson| October 8th, 2025|Historic Reports|0 Comments

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RAF Puma, 54 & out

Historic Reports

RAF Puma, 54 & out

The Westland Puma HC2 currently serving with 33 and 230 Squadron at RAF Benson, and 84 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, will be withdrawn from service on March 31, 2025. Ian Harding provides a brief review of the helicopter at the end of an illustrious 54 years operational career which commenced with the types first operational flight on September 29, 1971. Throughout this period, the Puma, its aircrew and maintainers have been deployed on numerous operations including combat operations, exercises, provided humanitarian relief, and during more recent times, provided search and rescue capability and fulfilled fire-fighting duties. The Puma had become a genuine ‘jack of all trades’ and will therefore be sadly missed.

By Ian Harding| March 27th, 2025|Historic Reports|0 Comments

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KC-10A Bows Out

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KC-10A Bows Out

September 26th 2024 was an emotional day at Travis Air Force Base, California, when the final KC-10A departed, marking the end of operations with the United States Air Forces (USAF). Westleigh Bushell takes a look back at the operational career of this iconic jet.

By Westleigh Bushell| October 7th, 2024|Historic Reports|0 Comments

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Aeronautica Militare retires AMX

Historic Reports, Operational Reports

Aeronautica Militare retires AMX

Following 35 years of service, the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) formally retired its last remaining AMX A-11 ‘Ghibli’ light combat and reconnaissance aircraft from service on April 5, 2024. The Italian term ‘Ghibli’ derives from the hot dry wind that blows in North Africa. This historic occasion was marked with a formal ceremony and [...]

By Ian Harding| April 24th, 2024|Historic Reports, Operational Reports|0 Comments

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Army Air Corps Apache AH-64D retirement

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Army Air Corps Apache AH-64D retirement

© Ian Harding | Army Air Corps | Westland Apache AH1 On March 25, 2024 following 23 years of service, the Army Air Corps officially retired the AgustaWestland/Boeing WAH-64D (Apache AH1) from service whilst also declaring the Boeing Apache AH-64E Guardian v6 operationally ready. As has become standard practice nowadays, the Army Air Corps and [...]

By Ian Harding| April 18th, 2024|Historic Reports|0 Comments

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Westland Gazelle AH1 Swan Song

Historic Reports, Operational Reports

Westland Gazelle AH1 Swan Song

On Monday October 23rd 2023, three 665 Squadron, 5 Regiment Army Air Corps Westland Gazelle AH1s departed RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland for a short tour of UK landmarks. This brings to an end this chapter of the aircrafts UK military service life with the official end of service date being October 31st 2023. Ian [...]

By Ian Harding| October 25th, 2023|Historic Reports, Operational Reports|0 Comments

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Belgian Sea King Retirement

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Belgian Sea King Retirement

March 21, 2019 was a memorable day in the calendar for both 40 Squadron and the Belgian Air Component, as it marked the retirement of the Westland Sea King Mk 48 helicopters after 43 years of loyal service providing the Search and Rescue (SAR) capability to the people of Belgium. The baton has now formally [...]

By Mark Empson| April 17th, 2019|Historic Reports|0 Comments

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Royal Navy Lynx Retirement

Historic Reports

Royal Navy Lynx Retirement

Fast, sleek, agile and sporty; words which are often used to describe and sum up the Westland Lynx - a helicopter that, in March 2017, will finally reach the end of a remarkable forty-one years of service with the Royal Navy. Mark Kwiatkowski reports from the last home of the Royal Navy Lynx, RNAS Yeovilton. [...]

By Mark Kwiatkowski| February 13th, 2017|Historic Reports|0 Comments

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Army Air Corps Lynx AH7 Retirement

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Army Air Corps Lynx AH7 Retirement

Friday 31st July 2015 saw an historic moment for the British Army Air Corps (AAC), with the retirement of the Westland Lynx AH.7 helicopter. The Lynx has been a key asset to the AAC for just over 38 years, having first taken to the skies in June 1977 as a Lynx AH.1. Throughout the long and [...]

By Mark Empson| August 26th, 2015|Historic Reports|1 Comment

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G-JOEY Trislander Retirement

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G-JOEY Trislander Retirement

June 28th 2015 will see the retirement of a Channel Islands aviation Icon, G-JOEY the Britten Norman Trislander. JOEY is operated by Aurigny Air Services, based in Channel Islands. This much loved aircraft has seen just shy of 40 years service in its lifetime, 34 of those years with Aurigny and is regarded as the [...]

By Mark Empson| June 27th, 2015|Historic Reports|2 Comments