A BV206, Carrier Full-Tracked Articulated, used by the instructor personnel in the mountains above Bardufoss, Norway during Exercise Clockwork 06. Exercise Clockwork 06 was a 14-week training exercise, which ran from December 05 to March 06 and was held at the Norwegian Air Force base of Bardufoss. Its aim was to prepare personnel from all three services to operate in extreme cold weather environments, such as might be experienced during winters in the Balkans or Afghanistan. Throughout the flying phase of the exercise, Joint Helicopter Command Battlefield helicopter crews from the Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Navy, practiced such skills as snow landings in 'whiteout' conditions, moving personnel from point to point and conducting navigation exercises. Personnel from 33 Squadron RAF Benson, also practised carrying under slung loads beneath their Puma helicopters, during both day and night operations. The 3rd phase of the exercise, saw participants attend a cold weather survival course, during which they spent 5 days and 4 nights in the Arctic environment of the 500 metre high Norwegian mountains surrounding Bardufoss, where temperatures dropped as low as minus 32 degrees and visibility fell to just a few metres. Mandatory for all personnel who had not done survival training, they learnt how to survive in the sub zero temperatures by digging snow holes, navigating in the harsh terrain and responding to an enemy attack.
Image: UK MoD
By: Widow 6-7
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