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  • Combat Aviation

Army Air Corps

The Army Air Corps (AAC) is the combat aviation arm of the British Army. Recognisable by their distinctive blue berets, AAC soldiers deliver firepower from Apache Attack and Wildcat Battlefield Reconnaissance helicopters to seek out, overwhelm and defeat enemy forces.


Active from

1 September 1957

Role

Aviation Combat Arm

Specialism

Aviation Find and Attack

As well as using firepower to support and protect troops on the ground, the Army Air Corps (AAC) acts as an eye in the sky, collecting vital intelligence on enemy forces. AAC groundcrew and aircrew work together to fly, refuel and rearm their aircraft.

  • Operating helicopters
  • Navigation and reconnaissance 
  • Refuelling and rearming aircraft
  • Evacuating casualties and delivering supplies
  • Operating weapons from the air
  • Delivering air-to-ground communications 
  • Driving HGV and HAZMAT vehicles 
  • Movement of personnel 

Soldiers from the AAC are held at high readiness for operations anywhere in the world. Recent deployments have included Eastern Europe, Norway and the Baltic States.

Army Air Corps soldiers live the high life. From pilots and rearcrew, to groundcrew and communications specialists, AAC soldiers work to keep military aircraft airborne and in a state of 'high readiness'.

Our role

Army Air Corps soldiers have been wearing the blue beret with pride since 1957. They use Army aircraft, such as the Apache AH-64E, to deliver hard-hitting and effective support to ground forces during the key stages of battle.

A critical AAC role is reconnaissance: our soldiers operate the Wildcat Mk1. We observe enemy forces and pass information to troops on the ground. We also designate targets for aircraft, artillery and other indirect fires.

This fearsome combination of manoeuvrability, teaming and firepower, means the AAC is one of the Army's most potent combat arms.

Past to present

The Army Air Corps was formed in 1957 on the foundations of the Glider Pilot Regiment and the Air Observation Post Squadrons. Since then, AAC soldiers watched over the UK and taken part in combat operations across the world.

The Army Air Corps is created.

The AAC deploys on operations in Borneo and Aden.

The regiment takes part in Operation Banner in Northern Ireland.

Further deployments in Rhodesia, the Balkans, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.

1982

The AAC takes part in Operation Corporate during the Falklands War.

1991

The AAC takes part in Operation Granby - the liberation of Kuwait.

The regiment takes part in Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.

The AAC participates Operation Telic in Iraq and Operation Ellamy in Libya.

Our locations

  • Headquarters Army Air Corps (HQ AAC)
  • Army Aviation Centre (AACen) 
    • 2 Training Regiment AAC
    • 7 Training Regiment AAC
  • Headquarters 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team (1 Avn BCT)
  • 5 Regiment AAC
  • Headquarters 6 Regiment AAC (Reserves)
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  • 9 (Training) Regiment AAC
  • 660 Squadron AAC
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1st Aviation BCT (Find)

  • 1 Regiment AAC
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1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team (Attack)

  • 3 Regiment AAC
  • 4 Regiment AAC

 

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Apache Attack Helicopter

Elite fleet

The Apache attack helicopter can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds.

Aircraft

Wildcat Mk1

Role

Range of tasks include on the battlefield including reconnaissance, command and control, transportation of troops and material, and the provision of force protection

Aircraft

Our location

You can find us at Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, SO20 8DY

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