# RAF Chinooks deployed to Mali reaches operational milestone

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/05/raf-chinooks-deployed-to-mali-reaches-operational-milestone/
- Published: 2020-05-08T19:10:27+01:00
- Author: Kazim Abdul

CH-47D Chinooks belonging to the Royal Air Force detachment supporting the French-
led [_**Operation Barkhane**_](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/raf-chinooks-deployed-to-mali-reaches-operational-milestone/military.africa/2018/06/operation-barkhane-french-war-in-africas-sahel)
in Mali have now completed more than 2,000 operational hours, including nearly 340
hours so far this year.

The Chinook helicopters from RAF Odiham have been supporting the ongoing French 
military-led insurgency countering operations in Mali since  July 2018.

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Since then, the RAF says that they have moved more than 1,000t of freight and over
12,000 passengers, even in temperatures up to 47 degrees centigrade which has been
accompanied by frequent dust storms.

![British Air Force Chinook, Super Puma and Apache helicopter](military.africa/wp-
content/uploads/2018/06/ac79ef8251290d8e89ad7f06705551a9.jpg)

British Air Force Chinook, Super Puma and Apache helicopter

Each of the CH-47 aircraft are operated by 18(B) Squadron and are usually based 
at RAF Odiham in the UK.

Si Elsey, RAF detachment wing commander, said: ‘_**We have not lost a sortie due
to COVID-19 and the French have maintained a high tempo of operations throughout.
Once their troops are in the field, we re-supply them and can lift vehicles in and
out as required.’**_

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**_‘Unfortunately, terrorism does not recognize pandemics, so the deployed personnel
have maintained their operational focus while observing COVID-19 measures’_**, Elsey
continued

“The deployed personnel have endeavored to maintain communications with their families
and generate a level of mutual support for isolated loved ones back home during 
this period of worldwide turmoil caused by COVID-19. Unfortunately, terrorism does
not recognize pandemics, so the deployed personnel have maintained their operational
focus while observing COVID-19 measures,”

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On 14 June 2018, British troops numbering [about 100 arrived West Africa in support of French _**Operation Barkhane**_,](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/raf-chinooks-deployed-to-mali-reaches-operational-milestone/military.africa/2018/06/operation-barkhane-british-troops-coming-to-africa-in-support-of-france?v=65d8f7baa677)
a spokesperson for the French armed forces Colonel Patrik Steiger, disclosed that:‘**
_The first troops from the British_** **_Chinook deployment, which will comprise
three heavy transport helicopters and will be deployed in Gao (Northern Mali)have
arrived.’_**

At the sidelines, crew members manning the Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook helicopters
as part of UK’s [Operation _Newcombe_ in Mali were equipped with _**Inzpire’s GEKO**_ beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) tablet-based mission system](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/raf-chinooks-deployed-to-mali-reaches-operational-milestone/military.africa/2019/09/mali-raf-ch-47-chinooks-fitted-with-inzpires-geko-mission-system?v=65d8f7baa677)
in September last year.

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