Video footage shared on social media shows the moment that a Chinook helicopter flew over Greater Manchester today (Thursday February 2).
A clip filmed by Twitter user @Abandon_t shows one of the aircrafts making its way over a car park and some trees close to Manchester University. According to the Royal Air Force (RAF), the helicopter in question is from 28 Squadron - which is based at RAF Benson in South Oxfordshire.
It was in the North West on a training exercise and also refuelled at City Airport, in Barton. An RAF spokesman told the Manchester Evening News: "Chinooks, from 28 Squadron, RAF Benson, completed routine operational training in North West England today including a refuel at Manchester Barton Airport, such training ensuring that our crews continue to be ready for global operations."
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The RAF said that training takes place in a variety of different places and environments around the UK to "maximise training benefit".
Chinook helicopters have been used by the UK armed forces since the 1980s and were first used in combat during the Falklands War from 1982. The distinctive, twin-rotor RAF helicopters are used for heavy-lifting, troop transportation and visiting dignitaries by the UK armed forces.
They are most easily recognised by the unusual 'wocka wocka' sound the 60ft-rotor blades make whilst chopping through the air. One alone can carry up to 55 troops or up around 10 tonnes of cargo.
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