Raf Westland Puma HC.1 XW219 230 Sqn Benson

The Puma HC-1 is a twin engine medium sized transport and utility helicopter. Based along with the rest of the RAF’s Puma fleet at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, 230 Squadron has operated the Puma HC Mk.1 since the early 1970s. Flying extensively over Northern Ireland, as well as brief detachments to the Balkans, 230 Squadron left the province in 2009 to move to its new home at RAF Benson. While in Northern Ireland the Pumas gave excellent service proving to be a reliable and capable transport helicopter. Today the Pumas assist in training exercises in the UK, but are at a state of readiness to depart to any theatre where they are needed. 230 Squadron’s emblem features a tiger, commemorating their service in Malaya.