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RAF Puma 'farewell flight' to pass over Harrogate district

Wednesday, 26 March 2025 11:35

A convoy of three RAF Puma helicopters will pass over the Harrogate area tomorrow. (Images: RAF Benson)

The RAF Puma helicopter convoy will pass over the Harrogate district tomorrow (Thursday) as part of its 'farewell flight.'

RAF Pumas will retire on the 31st March and be withdrawn from service.

And to celebrate more than 50 years of service, three RAF Puma helicopters will fly over sites in the UK that have been associated with the RAF Puma.

The flyover is taking place over two days, departing from their home base at RAF Benson today (Wednesday) before ending at Bangor Castle on day one.

And tomorrow (Thursday) they’ll be heading to RAF Leeming, which is north of Ripon, as part of their journey back to Benson.

The exact time has not been revealed, but the RAF Puma will be seen above Catterick at 11am before making the journey south over the Harrogate area.

The convoy is due above Stafford at 1:23pm and will end back at Benson at 5:47pm.

The flyover has drawn criticism for not incorporating Scotland, however the RAF has said there is “not enough time” to visit all locations that feature in Puma history.

The RAF Puma HC.Mk 2 is a medium support helicopter, which is based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, and operates under Joint Aviation Command (JAC) control.

The RAF Puma 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 used in humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

The first Puma helicopters entered service in June 1971.

Timings and route may change due to weather or other requirements.

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