Why Apache attack helicopters were seen flying low over Greater Manchester today

Military attack helicopters were seen flying over Greater Manchester today. The Manchester Evening News received numerous reports of the aircraft flying over the skies of the region.

One such sighting was made in Eccles, Salford, this morning (Thursday(). An eyewitness said: "It was flying low and went right over us."

A spokesman for the British Army has now confirmed that aircraft were Apaches from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps’ Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk who were out on a training flight.

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It is not the first time they have been seen in our skies. In July 2021 similar choppers were seen above Bolton, Salford, Oldham and Rochdale. It emerged they were aircraft from the same army base, and were conducting routine training which they said was to 'maintain essential currency for our pilots.'

They said: ""The Apache attack helicopter is one of the most sophisticated pieces of equipment in the world available to front line troops, it can operate in all weathers, day or night.

"The Army Air Corps is the combat aviation arm of the British Army, recognisable by their distinctive blue berets. Within Army Aviation there are a number of roles, not all being Army Air Corps (AAC) but all are essential for us to be able to successfully do our job globally."

There had previously been sightings of Apaches and Chinooks in Rochdale in 2018, April 2019 and, in May 2019, crowds gathered to watch two of the iconic helicopters land at Salford's City Airport in Barton, Salford, as part of another exercise.

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