📸In Pictures: Airborne allies

Exercise Wessex Storm tested British, French and American paratroopers on how they can go side-by-side into battle by air

Mounting at Keevil airfield on Salisbury Plain, troops, vehicles and stores were lifted by Royal Air Force Chinook and Puma support helicopters. They were also protected by the Army Air Corps’ Wildcat reconnaissance and Apache attack helicopters.

The training was about confirming the 2 PARA Battlegroup’s skills and readiness to serve as the lead infantry unit within 16 Air Assault Brigade — the British Army’s global response force.

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Joining the British paratroopers were 150 French troops, and a 40-strong platoon from the US Army. Their involvement was about growing understanding of each other’s capabilities and tactics, meaning our airborne forces are better prepared to work together on future operations.

📸 Here are the allies in action: 👇

The 2 PARA led Battlegroup are delivered to battle by 4 RAF Chinooks during Exercise Wessex Storm.

A British A400M arrives at Keevil airfield to drop off members of 2 PARA Battlegroup.

British troops disembark an RAF A400M on arrival at Keevil airfield during Exercise Wessex Storm.

French paratroopers look in as another wave of the 2 PARA led Battlegroup approach via helicopter.

A member of 2 PARA looks on as another wave of the 2 PARA led Battlegroup approach via helicopter.

US Paratroopers from 173rd Airborne Combat Brigade parachute into Exercise Wessex Storm on Salisbury Plain as part of a 2 PARA led Battlegroup.

Engineers from the 2 PARA led Battlegroup repair a small section of damaged runway on Keevil airfield, prior to British and French A400Ms arriving during Exercise Wessex Storm.

A member of 2 PARA looks into the camera as his section make a plan to close in and attack the enemy, as night falls during Exercise Wessex Storm.

A C130 flies along the drop zone, ready to drop stores in support of 2 PARA.

47 Air Dispatch Squadron, 13 Air Assault Support Regiment drop stores onto Salisbury Plain in support of 2 Para Battlegroup during Exercise Wessex Storm.

Troops from 63 Air Assault Support Squadron, 13 Air Assault Support Regiment unpack pallets of ammunition, that have just landed on the drop zone.

Members of 2 PARA Battlegroup HQ arrive at Keevil Airfield in preparation for their looming final assault on the enemy in the coming days, during Exercise Wessex Storm.

British troops from 2 PARA Battlegroup wait their turn to launch against the enemy as night falls during Exercise Wessex Storm.

Apache attack helicopters provide overwatch support to 2 PARA led Battlegroup as they move onto their objective during Exercise Wessex Storm.

33 Squadron Puma’s from RAF Benson during formation flying on Exercise Wessex Storm.

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇