RIAT 2006 News Release
ARMY AVIATION DISPLAY RECEIVES BOOST
Plans to turn the spotlight on international Army Aviation at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford were further boosted with news that both the German Army and the US Army Europe will be taking part.
The US Army Europe (USAREUR) plans to send a C-12 and a UC-35. The C-12F is a twin turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft and is the military version of the Beechcraft Super King Air. The aircraft provides on-call, rapid response, modern air transport for high priority supply and movement of key personnel. Specifically, it is used for VIP transport or to deliver repair parts; equipment; and technical, crash investigation, and accident investigation teams wherever needed. Its support role also includes such functions as range clearance, medical evacuation and courier flights.
The USAREUR UC-35A is a Cessna Citation II medium range executive and priority cargo jet aircraft and is due to replace the C-12s. Based at Wiesbaden, it has similar landing characteristics of a C-12, meaning that it can take off and land at most Army airfields, many of which are in remote areas not served directly by civilian airline services.
Representing aviation in the German Army will be a CH-53G transport helicopter and a Bo-105P anti-tank helicopter.
Since 1972, the CH-53G has been involved in humanitarian rescue work such as forest fires and assists in storms and avalanches. It also carried out rescue and evacuation work during the Gulf War and has supported the implementation of UN resolutions in the former Yugoslavia. The Bo-105 is a dual-purpose helicopter that can be used either in a liaison (Bo-105M) or anti-tank role (Bo-105P).
They will join previously announced aircraft from the Army Air Corps and French Army Aviation at this summer’s Air Tattoo.