THE RAF’S Puma fleet of helicopters is set to be hovering over the Oxfordshire countryside until at least 2025, it has emerged.

The airmen and woman based at RAF Benson have been flying missions out of the base since 1997 and yesterday marked the 40th birthday of the Puma.

Crews from 33 Squadron and 230 Squadron help to make up the 1,950 staff at Benson.

And, despite uncertainty surrounding defence cuts, Group Captain Richard Mason, station commander of RAF Benson and Puma Force Commander, said the squadrons and the base had a bright future.

Grp Cpt Mason said a Mk2 version of the current helicopter, HC1, will arrive at the airbase by next summer and extend the life of the Puma squadrons until 2025.

He said: “We are celebrating 40 years of truly outstanding service by Puma helicopters which have been in the thick of it, from Northern Ireland to Iraq.

“Its size allows it to be stripped down, put in the back of a C17 military aircraft and then rebuilt in just a few hours.

“We are still working on RAF Benson being the home of the Puma Force and for the life extension programme to go through successfully. There is a bright future ahead.

“There is, without doubt, a period of uncertainty because of the economy, but that is the same in the non-defence world.

“For our air crews and our ground crews the focus is on Puma Mk2 coming in and we can now look forward to 2025 and beyond.”

To mark the anniversary of the Puma’s first operational flight on September 29, 1971, demonstrations at RAF Benson showed how the helicopter is used in combat zones.

Pumas are currently deployed in Kenya to train Army troops how to use helicopters in Afghanistan.

Grp Cpt Mason said the Puma Mk2 would have three times the range of the current model and have modern digital equipment.

He added: “RAF Benson is also the home of the Merlin helicopter, which is providing a vital capability in Afghanistan.

“Uncertainty has the potential to affect staff, but all we can do is tell our people what the plans are when they become clear.”

Flt Lt Karim Zid, 28, a pilot with 230 Squadron, is flying out to Kenya tomorrow to train troops from 1st Battalion Scots Guards.

He said: “It’s great to be celebrating the Puma’s massive legacy. Both squadrons have a lot of history but there is a lot to look forward to as well.

“This is a pilot’s aircraft, it is enjoyable and rewarding to fly, and I’m really looking forward to flying the Mk2 version.”

Squadron Leader Neil Critchley, 35, senior engineering officer with 230 Squadron, said: “Puma Mk2 will give us the aircraft to move forward with over the next 10 years or so.”

Sgt Richard Fletcher, 37, an avionics engineer with 230 Squadron, celebrated the anniversary with his father, Noel Fletcher, 65, who was with the squadron from 1971 to 1975. Sgt Fletcher said: “I’m looking forward to working on the new aircraft.”

In April, it was announced 1,600 Navy and 1,000 soldiers will lose their jobs in an initial round of defence cuts. Last year’s defence review said 17,000 jobs in the Armed Forces would be cut, including 5,000 posts in the RAF.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk