#1707 673 Sqn AAC Apache AH-64E print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1707 - ZM702, Apache AH-64E, 673 Squadron AAC, 7(Training) Regiment AAC, Middle Wallop.
673 Squadron, Royal Air Force, formed at Bikram, Patna, India (then British India) on 27 January 1945 as a glider pilot squadron and was made up of both Army and Royal Air Force personnel. The purpose of the Squadron’s formation was for airborne operations by South East Asia Command in the fight against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. The Squadron joined 671 and 672 Squadrons at Bikram as part of 344 Wing RAF. The Squadron operated from several locations throughout 1945, including Belgaum, Bikram, Bilaspur and Tilda. As with other Indian-based squadrons, it did not take part in operational missions due to the Japanese surrender and the Squadron disbanded at Kargi Road, India on 25 October 1945. The WAH-64D Apache AH1 was officially released into service in 2001. 673 Squadron, Army Air Corps, was reformed on the type on 1 April 2003 for the first time since 1945. The Squadron initially carried out the Conversion to Type (CTT) pilot training, stationed at Middle Wallop before pilots moved on to Conversion to Role (CTR) training at Dishforth. 673 Squadron was responsible for CTT, Return to Type (RTT) and Competence to Instruct (Ctol) courses for the Field Army on the WAH-64D Apache AH1. The Squadron continued to deliver highly trained and qualified Apache aircrew to the Field Army and on-going training and replacement of Qualified Helicopter Instructors (QHI). In early 2019, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots awarded their Central Flying School Trophy to 673 Squadron, Army Air Corps. In December 2020, 673 Squadron ceased all flight operations in preparation for the arrival of the new Apache AH-64E, with all eight WAH-64D Apache AH1 helicopters assigned to the Squadron departing in formation from their Middle Wallop home to Wattisham. In June 2022, 673 Squadron resumed full operations when two Apache AH-64Es were delivered to Middle Wallop. By June 2023, a full complement of twelve Apache AH-64Es were stationed at Middle Wallop, used by 673 and 653 Squadrons to deliver both CTT and CTR training courses. 673 Squadron remains within 7 (Training) Regiment AAC, and is responsible for the delivery of CTT, RTT and CtoI training.