“A unique sight will soon be seen in the skies of Latvia – two CH-147 Chinook helicopters from Canada have arrived at Lielvārde [airbase], and preparations for their flights are currently underway,” the NBS said in a statement on Facebook, adding that the first test flights in the Lielvārde area are planned in the coming days.
Representatives of the Latvian Armed Forces indicate that the Chinook helicopters significantly expand operational capabilities – their renowned lifting capacity allows them to move more than 12,000 kilograms of cargo in one go. Their distinctive twin-rotor design and even more distinctive sound in flight should make them very noticeable once they do take off.
These aircraft and their crews have arrived in Latvia to support and reinforce the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade. They will become part of an aviation battalion that already has four CH-146 Griffon helicopters at its disposal.