The RAF Puma HC.Mk 2 helicopter will retire at the end of March 2025.
On Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March 2025, there will be a Farewell Flight by three RAF Puma helicopters. They will depart from their home base at RAF Benson on Wednesday before performing flypasts over sites in the UK, that have been associated with the RAF Puma.
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| RAF Puma Farewell Flypast |
RAF Puma
The RAF Puma HC.Mk 2 is a medium support helicopter, which is based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, and operates under Joint Aviation Command (JAC) control. RAF Benson has the following squadrons that operate the Puma helicopter:
• 22 Squadron RAF - Operational testing and evaluation squadron including RAF Puma.
• 28 Squadron RAF - Operational Conversion Unit for RAF Puma & Chinook.
• 33 Squadron RAF - RAF Puma.
The RAF Puma is used in a variety of combat roles, including the tactical movement of troops, weapons, ammunition and stores on the battlefield, as well as the extraction of casualties and in response to medical emergencies on the frontline. It is also used in humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
The first Puma helicopters entered service with 33 Sqn in June 1971 and the following year and with 230 Sqn in January 1972.
RAF Pumas will retire on the 31st March 2025 and be withdrawn from service. The replacement will be procured under the New Medium Helicopter programme.
26-27 March 2025 - RAF Puma Farewell Flypasts
There will be three RAF Puma helicopters (XW224, ZJ954, ZA939, 'Warlock') involved in the Farewell Flight.
Flypast Locations and timings - 26 March 2025:
• Odiham - 0945
• Andover - 0957
• Middle Wallop - 1002
• Boscombe Down - 1007
• Salisbury - 1013
• Abbey Wood - 1031
• Hereford - 1051
• RAF Museum Cosford - 1115
• Shawbury - 1126
• Sleap - 1128 (Shut down, refuel)
• Hillsborough Castle - 1419
• Thiepval Bks - 1421
• Aldergrove - 1430
• Bangor Castle - 1655
• RAF Valley - 1745
Flypast Locations and timings - 27 March 2025:
• RAF Valley - 0930
• Manchester Barton - 1021
• Catterick - 1100
• RAF Leeming - 1105 (Shut down, refuel)
• Stafford - 1323
• National Memorial Arboretum - 1332
• Syerston - 1351
• Newark Air Museum - 1355
• Cranwell - 1402
• Marham - 1427 (Shut down, refuel)
• Honington - 1604
• IWM Duxford - 1622
• Kensington Palace - 1647
• RAF Museum Hendon - 1651
• PJHQ - 1656
• Halton - 1707
• High Wycombe - 1712
• John Radcliffe Hospital - 1721
• London Oxford Airport / Kidlington - 1724
• RAF Brize Norton - 1732
• Shrivenham - 1735
• Benson - 1750
Timings and route may change due to weather or other requirements.
Whilst the route incorporates locations with links to Puma, there is not enough time to visit all locations that feature in Puma history. Of note, Scotland, which has played a key role in the development of the skills of Aircrew through Exercise KUKRI DAWN and Operation RESCRIPT where Puma’s deployed to support medical evacuations during COVID-19 from the remote islands.
