EX. PINION TITAN 2025

Exercise Pinion Titan was the largest British Army aviation deployment since 2003 with the assets from RNAS Yeovilton, RAF Odiham gathering at Wattisham Flying Station, Suffolk at the beginning of November 2025. Over the course of the exercise up to 50 helicopters participated including Wildcats Mk.1s, AH-64E Apaches and Chinooks. In addition to the Army Air Corps (AAC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopters the Aviation légère de l’armée de Terre 3e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat sent four SA.342M Gazelles from Base Étain-Rouvres to participate.

In total 2000 personnel took part in the exercise with 1000 vehicles being utilised by the 1st Aviation Brigade, with some being collected from Army Barracks and moved to locations by as an underslung load by RAF Chinooks. The movement of the personnel was completed by Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs and A400M Atlas C1s which were seen making multiple flights from Wattisham Flying Station out to the Forward Operating Locations (FOLs).

1^st Aviation Brigade

The 1^st Aviation Brigade provide the Army with deployable and scalable aviation Command and Control to be able to deliver combat aviation forces for assigned operations, Defence Activity other than Operations, generating, projecting and sustaining forces for direct readiness, whilst capable of integrating with both National and Allied formations at Divisional, Corps and Joint Force level.

Before the full commencement of the Ex. participating helicopters completed an ‘Elephant Walk’, Brigadier Nick English, Commander of 1st Aviation Brigade, said: “An elephant walk is a striking demonstration of strength and readiness. Preparing four different types of aircraft to fly together is a significant engineering and logistical achievement. It proves to us and to potential adversaries that we have the teamwork and coordination needed for real-world combat operations.

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“Exercise Pinion Titan marks the end of a modernisation programme started when 1st Aviation Brigade was formed in 2020. Every one of our soldiers, vehicles, and helicopters is going into the field for us to test our capabilities together. We will be working closely with the RAF, our French and US allies, and integrating cutting-edge technologies such as drones and advanced communications systems.

“This exercise demonstrates that 1st Aviation Brigade is one of NATO’s most capable and ready formations, prepared to defend the UK and our allies.”

Capitaine Damien, 3e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat

Capitaine Damien, commander of the French contingent, said: "We are very proud to participate in this major exercise, which is a great opportunity to enhance our operational readiness.

"For most of the soldiers, it is their first time working with allied forces, but we can see that France and Britain share a common military culture. This will lead to smooth integration and the development of a joint force with solid tactical capabilities."

One of the four Gazelles deployed was equipped with a crew-served M134 Minigun with the other three Gazelles being equipped with the Viviane infrared sighting system mounted on the roof of the cab, although the rails on either side of the aircraft were empty.

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Combat missions

Initial training was completed at Wattisham which saw the force set itself up as two battlegroups, led by 3 and 4 Regiments Army Air Corps. In support of the 3 and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps were a team of planning officers from the US 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Post this training the troops travelled to FOLs across northern England to fly and maintain their helicopters. From these locations, which included Dishforth Airfield and Dalton Barracks, formerly RAF Abingdon, the battlegroups planned and carried out missions. Helicopters flew north and south, to the snow laden Scottish Highlands, the cold and frosty Otterburn Training area and down to the Salisbury Plain Training Area in Southern England.

For deep strike operations, AH-64E Apaches and Gazelle attack helicopters flew far behind enemy lines to strike simulated targets like artillery positions and supply depots.

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The destruction of these targets makes the fight easier for soldiers on the front line.

Before the strike missions the AAC Wildcats utilised their integrated MX-15Di electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) turrets to perform reconnaissance, identifying potential threats and gathering information for operational planning.

During the air assault operations and resupply to the FOLs, RAF Chinook helicopters from 18 Squadron transported soldiers and equipment into action with the AAC Apache’s and Wildcats or ALAT Gazelles flying with them to provide protection whilst inserting the soldiers.

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Support Structure

In support of the Exercise multiple specialist teams were brought together from the Army and the Royal Air Force (RAF) to provide logistical, maintenance, and engineering support to frontline helicopter units. The supply and maintenance hubs established by the group were located at Catterick and Albemarle in the North of England.

The units that supported the Battlegroups were the 7 Aviation Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 158 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, 39 Engineer Regiment, RAF Tactical Supply Wing and 132 Aviation Supply Squadron. They supplied the battlegroups with everything from rations to rotor blades and provided expert maintenance and engineering support. The 7 Aviation Support Battalion task is to carry out workshop operations in field conditions, performing complex repairs with limited tools.

The Chinook were the heavy lift helicopters supporting the Exercise and in turn they were supported by the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron delivering load handling and landing site support, and the Tactical Supply Wing ensuring rapid, reliable fuel provision in the field.

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The outcomes from this large force exercise have been positive to date and has shown that the 1^st Aviation Brigade has proved itself ready future conflicts and to work with its NATO partners.