The number of collective training exercises supported by both Apache and Chinook helicopter crews was seven in 2005, 13 in 2006 and 18 in 2007. Records are not held for collective training exercises conducted prior to 2005. The location and type of each exercise are shown in the following table. The number of collective training exercises supported by Chinook only and Apache only will take longer to collate. I will write to the hon. Member when this information is available. Aircrew training flights are too numerous to quantify.
Exercise details Location 2005 Exercise Iron Storm - 3 (UK) Division live firing Exercise. UK wide. 2005 Qualified Helicopter Training Instructor Flying Phase - Air Crew Training Exercise. Scotland. 2005 3 times Exercise Bowman Vanguard - Fleet Collective Training Exercise UK wide. 2005 Exercise Bowman Ord - Fleet Exercise part of HMS Ocean sea trials. Sea trials. 2005 Exercise Argonaut - Fleet Collective training Exercise. UK Wide. 2006 Exercise Herrick Eagle - 16 Brigade Herrick 4 Mission Rehearsal Exercise. Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area. 2006 Exercise Southern Raider - 3 Commando Brigade Mission Rehearsal Exercise Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area. 2006 5 times OPTAG (Operational Training and Advisory Group) confirmation Exercises 3 Commando Brigade units Herrick 5 Pre Deployment Training . Stanford Training Area. 2006 Exercise Iron Storm - 3 (UK) Division Capstone Combat Services Support Exercise for Engineer Regiments' Herrick 5 Pre Deployment Training. UK Wide. 2006 5 times OPTAG confirmation Exercises - 12 Division units Herrick 6 Pre Deployment Training. Stanford Training Area. 2007 Exercise Desert Dragon - 12 Division Herrick 6 Mission Rehearsal Exercise Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area. 2007 Exercise Pashtun Ace - 12 Division Close Combat Attack concentration as part of Herrick 6 Pre Deployment Training. Otterburn Training Area. 2007 4 times Ex Druid's Dance - 52 Brigade Herrick 7 Pre Deployment Training. Sennybridge Training Area. 2007 5 times OPTAG Confirmation Exercises - 52 Brigade units Herrick 7 Pre Deployment Training. Stanford Training Area 2007 Exercise Desert Dragon - 52 Brigade Herrick 7 Mission Rehearsal Exercise. Salisbury Plain Training Area and Sennybridge Training Area. 2007 Exercise Eagle's Eye - 16 Brigade Airborne Task Force validation Exercise. Salisbury Plain Training Area. 2007 5 times OPTAG Confirmation Exercises - 16 Brigade units Herrick 8 Pre Deployment. Training on Stanford Training Area.