The loadmaster/gunner on the ramp aims his machine gun at ground targets as his Chinook clears the hot landing zone low and fast.

Adding to the surprise effect by flying at 'tree top level' over the flat landscape of the northern part of the Netherlands, a Cougar and Chinook arrive on the scene for a hostage release operation as part of HWIC Recovery.

An FN MAG 7.62mm machine gun mounted on the ramp of a Chinook.

Sitting in a hovering Cougar, a member of the Army's Special Forces unit aims his Accuracy International AWSM sniper rifle during a personnel recovery mission at a camp site near Oldehove.

Tactical operations practiced in HWIC included fast-roping from Cougars, as shown by S-445 in the new grey colour.

The loadmaster/gunner of a Cougar keeps a watchful eye over his gun as soldiers approach the helicopter with 'wounded' colleagues on stretchers for a casualty evacuation flight in exercise HWIC Recovery.

The M230 chain gun of this RNLAF Apache spits out 30mm rounds, fire, smoke and empty shells as the helicopter engages a target at the NATO training area in Bergen-Hohne, Germany.

During HWIC Strike, Apaches live-fired both the M230 gun and unguided 70mm folding fin aerial rockets (shown), while the use of AGM-114 Hellfire guided missiles had to be simulated.

An Apache from No.301 Squadron fires two 70mm unguided rockets simultaneously during the concluding mission of exercise HWIC Strike. The large white 'L' under the fuselage is a heritage of the helicopter's deployment to Afghanistan.

An Apache departs the FARP at the Bergen-Hohne training area to return to the German Army Aviation base at Fassberg at the end of another flying day, with a second one about to follow suit.

During HWIC Strike, the Apaches live-fired both the M230 gun and unguided 70mm folding fin aerial rockets (shown), while the use of AGM-114 Hellfire guided missiles had to be simulated.

As soon as the Apache has touched down at the FARP, ground crew commence their turnaround routine of servicing and arming the helicopter. The 'Hesco Wall' in the background should stop any shots that may be fired by accident while the Apaches are still on the ground.

Early morning scene at the forward arming and refuelling point near Dehnernbockel. The operational turnaround crew has just finished refuelling and arming an Apache for another live-firing mission.