Military choppers hit the skies over region

LOOKING up to the skies above Stockport, you might have noticed two military helicopters flying overhead.

And if you didn’t see them, then you might have heard them.

Two Royal Air Force Puma choppers flew over parts of the region on Tuesday evening (September 1) as part of a military training exercise.

Residents in the borough reported spotting the aircrafts overhead on social media.

One eyewitness said one aircraft was ‘ fully lit’ while another was ‘completely blacked out’.

Another said the aircrafts were ‘ very loud’ as they flew over Stockport.

The Puma Force, which are based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, are support helicopters used to carry troops, equipment or as a platform.

The choppers are currently deployed on Operation TORAL in Afghanistan.

Crews from 230 Squadron were onboard the aircrafts last night carrying out a training exercise ahead of deployment later this year, a RAF spokesperson confirmed.

The exercises are designed to challenge the crews to adapt to flying in different areas.

Two RAF Puma helicopters were spotted flying over Manchester

An exercise also took place over Liverpool yesterday, the RAF said.

The Puma has recently been used as part of the UK’s response to coronavirus.

The aircraft can be converted to fulfil a ‘casualty’ or ‘ medical’ evacuation role.

Stretchers and medical staff can be loaded into the back of the aircraft and quickly transported to a hospital, often much faster than they can by road.