Exchange provides unexpected view

Exchange pilot Capt Scott Watkins in one of the British Lynx helicpoters he is piloting on Op Catalyst. Photo provided by Capt Scott Watkins

From Cpl Damian Shovell in Iraq

ONE Australian aviator is getting a birds-eye view of Iraq as part his normal day.

Army aviation corps officer Capt Scott Watkins, previously from 161 Recce Sqn, was more than a year into a two-year exchange posting with the British 1st Regiment Army Air Corps when it deployed to Iraq.

After a month in Basra , with four and a half to go, Capt Watkins said the opportunities so far had been fantastic.

“There’s three different aircraft types that the Brits’ operate over here at the moment – Chinook, Puma and Lynx – I fly the Lynx,” he said.

“Tasks range from flying people to different areas around the AO, to doing a bit of over-head protection for convoy moves and trying to provide eyes-on, on operations in Basra and other places.”

Capt Watkins said the exchange program has been running since the mid-80s and always to the same squadron within the regiment – 652 Sqn.

“I’ve done some fantastic stuff with them. I’ve been on exercises in Norway and Kenya and flown all around Germany, where we’re based, and over here as well.

“I’ve seen a different way to do things, I’ve also seen a lot of common things between the two armies.

“We’ve got very similar back grounds and we tend to do things in a very similar way, as our outlook on life is very alike.

“I’ve been able to slot in quite easily and also pick up a few things here and there that they do differently, that we can do and I’ve shown them a few things that I think we do better.”