A glimpse inside two giant RAF helicopters
THIS is the view from inside one of the massive military helicopters that have been flying over south Wales all week.
The two RAF helicopters have been flying over the area since last week and have landed in various prominent spots.
Although it looks like something from a war film, it was all part of a training exercise.
Since it finished on Thursday, RAF Benson, the base involved in the training, has released footage from inside the aircraft as they flew over south Wales.
It captures the moment they landed metres away from the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay and on a Swansea comprehensive school field.
The landing in Cardiff Bay was also captured by Sarah at the Demiros restaurant.
Sarah said they weren’t told the helicopter would be landing so close – and they were serving food outside as it did.
She said: “It was brilliant. As we seen one land, another sort of came in behind it. It was quite windy.
“We didn’t know it was coming. We were serving food outside when it did, and then I was just stood outside for 20 minutes watching it. I just wanted to jump in!”
They also landed at Olchfa Comprehensive School in Sketty.
Their presence above the busy school, which has around 2,000 pupils, was difficult to ignore for residents living in the area, or the pupils of course.
A smoke flare was reported to have been seen on the playing fields before they landed. Flares are often deployed to indicate wind direction to the pilots.
Dozens of people reported seeing the formidable-looking aircraft in the skies above, but South Wales Police said people shouldn’t be alarmed.
On Twitter the force said it was a training exercise between Tuesday February 25 and Thursday February 27. It said: “As a result you should expect to see a military Puma helicopter flying across and landing at a number of sites in south Wales.
“Please don’t be alarmed, this is part of our ongoing work to keep south Wales safe. If you see us, please give us a wave.”
The RAF said the Puma aircraft is used in a variety of combat roles, including moving troops, weapons, ammunition and stores on the battlefield, as well as the extraction of casualties and in response to medical emergencies on the frontline.