US Navy, May 09, 2021 - EL CENTRO, CA, USA by PO3 Drew Verbis - A British Royal Air Force (RAF) detachment from Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) Squadron, based in Benson, United Kingdom, conducts Puma HC2 medium support helicopter training at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, March-April 2021.
The Puma Force are currently undertaking environmental training at the NAF El Centro for a two-month period.
“This is essential training ahead of future deployments to support the ongoing NATO Resolute Support Mission which provides ongoing training in Afghanistan,” said British RAF Lt. Col. Ewen Stuart. “Based at Kabul, this detachment ensures that NATO personnel can safely travel in and around the region.”
NAFEC provides an ideal location for environmental training, with suitable facilities for aircrew, engineers, and support staff as well as the environmental conditions to effectively replicate the hot and high conditions aircrew and engineers experience while deployed.
“Prior to deployment, crews will undertake various elements of training to ensure that they are as fully prepared as possible to complete tasking when deployed,” said Stuart. “This includes training in the U.K. as well as environmental training in suitable locations.”
The RAF is continuously engaged in a wide-range of operations and training exercises around the world with partners and allies.
“The men and women of NAF El Centro are honored to support the British Royal Air Force,” said Capt. William Perkins, commanding officer, NAF El Centro. “They’re conducting critical pre-deployment preparation in support of NATO and national testing in such areas of Afghanistan and Ivory Coast and we provide the perfect space for them.”
The Puma HC.Mk 2 medium support helicopter 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 employed during non-combatant evacuations, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
“Soon we will support training efforts for the Chinook Force as well,” Stuart said. “NAFEC continues to offer a safe training environment which is highly-immersive and an invaluable tool for mission crew preparation. Additionally, we value the partnership with the local community.”
The mission of NAF El Centro is to support the combat training and readiness of the warfighter. This includes air operations support to operational fleet and training squadrons as well as squadrons from other services (Marine Corps, Army, Air Force) and international military partners.
The Puma Force are currently undertaking environmental training at the NAF El Centro for a two-month period.
“This is essential training ahead of future deployments to support the ongoing NATO Resolute Support Mission which provides ongoing training in Afghanistan,” said British RAF Lt. Col. Ewen Stuart. “Based at Kabul, this detachment ensures that NATO personnel can safely travel in and around the region.”
NAFEC provides an ideal location for environmental training, with suitable facilities for aircrew, engineers, and support staff as well as the environmental conditions to effectively replicate the hot and high conditions aircrew and engineers experience while deployed.
“Prior to deployment, crews will undertake various elements of training to ensure that they are as fully prepared as possible to complete tasking when deployed,” said Stuart. “This includes training in the U.K. as well as environmental training in suitable locations.”
The RAF is continuously engaged in a wide-range of operations and training exercises around the world with partners and allies.
“The men and women of NAF El Centro are honored to support the British Royal Air Force,” said Capt. William Perkins, commanding officer, NAF El Centro. “They’re conducting critical pre-deployment preparation in support of NATO and national testing in such areas of Afghanistan and Ivory Coast and we provide the perfect space for them.”
The Puma HC.Mk 2 medium support helicopter 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 employed during non-combatant evacuations, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
“Soon we will support training efforts for the Chinook Force as well,” Stuart said. “NAFEC continues to offer a safe training environment which is highly-immersive and an invaluable tool for mission crew preparation. Additionally, we value the partnership with the local community.”
The mission of NAF El Centro is to support the combat training and readiness of the warfighter. This includes air operations support to operational fleet and training squadrons as well as squadrons from other services (Marine Corps, Army, Air Force) and international military partners.
NAF El Centro Comments | Join community |
| I went to El Centro in the summer doing sea level hot weather performance trials on Merlin. It was very hot and very dry. |
| Doesn't look any different to when we were there in 1990-something with a Gazelle. Bet its just as hot still. We tried a battery powered fan as a pilot cooling measure. It was like sitting in front of a fan oven with the door open 🙄 |
| Glad to see it’s still going strong as a location having come up with, and undertaken, the initial staff work/recce for its use as an environmental training location back in 2008/2009 for the Merlin reset from Iraq to Afghan 👍🏻👍🏻 |
See also |
Puma Mk2 in
Royal Air Force 
