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#1800 RAF Puma Farewell Print

RAF Puma Farewell Print
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
£10.00 €12.00 $12.94
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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Print
Puma HC1; Puma HC2
84 Sqn; 28 Sqn; 33 Sqn; 22 Sqn; 230 Sqn; 72 Sqn; 18 Sqn; 27 Sqn; 1563 Flt; 240 OCU
RAF Benson
UK - Air Force
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Description

Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1800 - RAF Puma Farewell.

The Puma, first delivered to the RAF in January 1971 (tail numbers XW198 and XW199), was a critical UK Support Helicopter asset for over five decades, providing versatile support for various military, humanitarian, and peacekeeping operations worldwide. Initially entering service as the Puma HC.1 (48 aircraft), it adapted quickly to numerous operational environments, including: Northern Ireland 1972-2009 (Op BANNER), providing rapid and safe movement of troops to various forward operating bases; Belize, from 1975, operating as 1563 Flt from 1981 and Rhodesia in 1979 (Op AGILA). The Gulf War in 1991 (Op GRANBY) saw the Puma complete over 1,200 sorties, carrying 4,000 troops, and evacuating 160 casualties. Further operations included Zaire in 1997 (Op DETERMINANT), Kosovo in 1999 (Op AGRICOLA), disaster relief efforts in Mozambique in 2000 (Op BARWOOD), the Balkans conflict in 2002 (Op PALATINE) and Afghanistan in 2002. The Puma returned to Iraq in 2003 (Op TELIC), remaining until 2009 where it carried out specialist operations across the country. Overseas exercise commitments continued, with the Force’s main focus being in Kenya from 2009, supporting Op HERRICK pre-deployment training. Upgraded in 2013 (24 aircraft), the Puma HC.2 saw improved performance and avionics, upgrading its capabilities further. These enhancements, coupled with its versatility and deployability, were demonstrated in the Caribbean through the response to Hurricane Irma (Op RUMAN) in 2017. At the same time Puma was deployed in support of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, operating in Kabul (Op TORAL) for over six years from 2015 to 2021. During its time the Puma was also integral to domestic operations that included: supporting flood relief efforts; providing airborne security for the 2012 London Olympics (Op PROTEGO); holding National Standby 24/7; and contributing to the nationwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Op RESCRIPT), providing medical evacuation for NHS Scotland. The Puma has served with many Support Helicopter squadrons: 18(B) Squadron, 22 Squadron, 27(R) Squadron, 28(AC) Squadron, 33 Squadron, 72 Squadron, 84 Squadron, 230 (Tiger) Squadron and 240 Squadron (Operational Conversion Unit). From late 2022 the Puma Force saw a global expansion of its capability delivery, permanently deploying for the aircraft’s final chapter. In Cyprus with 84 Squadron it provided year-round aerial firefighting and maritime Emergency Response, whilst 230 Squadron provided vital Medical Evacuation and wider aviation support to Special Forces selection and other jungle training exercises in Brunei. Remaining at RAF Benson, 33 Squadron enabled and assured these lifesaving overseas outputs, whilst generating aircraft to sustain aircrew training conducted by 28 (AC) Squadron. Puma’s long and distinguished 54 year service represents one of the longest periods of frontline service by any aircraft in the RAF’s history. Shown here, XW224 was one of the 10 remaining operational aircraft on the final day of service on 31 March 2025.

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