Two hours ago, Alistair Bunkall, the Sky News Defence Correspondent, Tweeted that an Chinook was just about to lift off from RAF Odiham to bring troops and supplies to the Isle of Wight.
About to lift off from RAF Odiham in a Chinook to pick up troops and supplies for the Isle of Wight
— Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) February 15, 2014
About 20 minutes ago Westley Hayward saw a Chinook possibly landing in Seaclose Park, Newport. Given how open the area is, that would make sense.
We Re-Tweeted Westley’s message and Zoe responded saying that she’d seen it flying over Cowes.
Richard Wilkins saw the Chinook land and then take off.
Alistair, who is on board with the Chinooks told OnTheWight the Chinooks would be returning with Pinzgauer vehicles on-board soon.
@onthewight They'll be bringing in some Pinzgauer vehicles soon
— Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) February 15, 2014
This plan changed, the RAF told OnTheWight at about 7pm. The Pinzgauer vehicles – six wheeled versions – will now come via ferry, due to complications getting them ‘underslung’ on Chinook.
Thanks very much to Sean Millward for drawing our attention to it.
Photos and video
RAF Odiham tweeted a pic of the vehicles landing on the Isle of Wight
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Thanks to Heather Mason and Justin Mason for sharing pics below
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Thanks to Vectis Weather for this great shot of the late afternoon sun on the vehicles being carried by the Chinook.
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Thanks to MissChelle Salsbury for this
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This photo sent in by Sheila Ettridge
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Thanks also to Jake Elsley for these brilliant shots below
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18:41 WightVid shot the following video of the arrival and departure.
The following two photos in from IW council
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Update 18:17 This just in from the council
As part of the government’s commitment to supporting communities affected by the recent adverse weather, a military team has arrived on the Island to assess what support it can provide.
A captain and 20 troops arrived by Chinook helicopter at Seaclose Park in Newport this afternoon (Saturday 15 February). They will be on the Island for a short period of time to look at parts of the Island affected by recent weather.
A number of areas experienced flooding over the past 24 hours, and with more bad weather expected, the military will be working with the Isle of Wight Council to identify potential areas for support.
With high levels of flooding experienced around the Island in recent weeks, the military has committed to boosting the Island’s sandbag supply and will be delivering additional sandbags to the Island this weekend.
Councillor Ian Stephens, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “I am delighted that the government has included the Isle of Wight in its deployment of military troops in light of recent weather conditions. We are extremely grateful for this support and will be working closely with the troops to look at how they can assist our community.”
The military team has brought its own vehicles to the Island, so residents should not be alarmed if they see troops around the Island.
20:03 Updated with change of plan for Pinzgauer vehicles
Image: © Alistair Bunkell
