First NH90 Arrives in Afghanistan

The Italian Army aircraft was flown into Herat in the west of Afghanistan onboard a USAF C-17 on 18 August, although the Italian Army only made the information public on 23 August.

The C-17 transported the helicopter from the airport at Bologna and the deployment is being supported by personnel from the 2nd Army Aviation Regiment who arranged the loading of the helicopter and its associated equipment.

As reported in the latest edition of Defence Helicopter, the first deployment will last six months - although this is extendable - and will involve six helicopters with operations due to begin in September. The Italians will be using NH90++ standard aircraft fitted with a full mission suite and a working EW system.

The NH90s will join six CH-47C Chinooks and A129 Mangusta attack helicopters which support the Italian ISAF contingent in RC-West.

The German Army aso plans to deploy the NH90 in the coming months in the medevac role.

Several German machines were recently sent to Holloman AFB in New Mexico for a series of hot and high trials called Exercise Falcor 2012.