RN chopper lands on Alty school (From Messenger Newspapers)

RN chopper lands on Alty school

10:18am Monday 30th November 2009 in News

A ROYAL Navy helicopter surveillance crew fresh back from Afghanistan quite literally dropped in on an Altrincham school last week.

Lieutenant Jim Hall and his crew on the Sea King chopper - only recently back from snooping on the Taliban - agreed to a flying visit at St. Ambrose College for a Royal Navy recruitment day.

Only two weeks ago, Jim Hall and his crew of three: Lieutenant Tim Churnock, Lieutenant Charlotte Fredrickson and Lieutenant Gary Wappner, were patrolling the vast wastelands of the Afghani desserts listening into Taliban communications.

Now based back in RAF Culdrose in Cornwall they are continuing their training, before another possible tour of duty on the front line in the spring.

Lieutenant Hall, a former Manchester Grammar School pupil, said: “”Flying into a school such as St. Ambrose with a tight playing field surrounded by trees in the middle of a built up area is very different to flying in the relatively featureless desserts of Afghanistan or over the oceans on naval duty. It’s a very different technical challenge and is an essential part of our training and development as flying officers.”

He added: “In Afghanistan we are very much a stand off platform, using the very latest equipment to monitor Taliban communications. The Sea King’s frame may have been built in the 1960s but our equipment is very much state of the art.”

The approach and the landing were cheered by the St. Ambrose College Sixth Form, some of whom are contemplating careers in the Royal Navy.

Altrincham’s Jake Morris, 17, said: “I don’t want a career in an office and seeing the size and power of the Sea King today and meeting and talking to the crew is further evidence that a career in the Royal Navy would have its own special rewards.”

St. Ambrose College Headmaster Michael Thompson added: “The helicopter’s landing was one of the few times in school life when you could forgive pupils for not being able to concentrate on their work in class. All eyes were on the front field.”

CAPTION: Lieutenant John Hall lands the Sea King as pupils watch on.