British crews operating the Royal Air Force’s CH-47, or Chinook helicopters, just graduated from the Corps’ intensive seven-week air tactics course known as Weapons Tactics Instructor Course, or WTI.

It’s the first time an overseas group has fully participated in the training evolution based out of Yuma, Arizona, where pilots hone advanced air tactical skills and learn how to support to ground forces, a command release said.

“This is really world class training. We’ve come here in effect to improve the capability of the Chinook Force and to train our people.” Group Captain Lee Turner, Station Commander RAF Odiham and Commander of the RAF Chinook Force, said in a command release. “It’s challenging for our crews and for our personnel here, not only the climatic conditions but also the complex nature of the training and the intensity of this which is a very focused seven-week course.”

The WTI course helps train experts who will be in charge of training at their respective squadrons.

The RAF crews carried out training alongside Marine CH-53E helicopters and worked with nearly 200 Marines during the course.

The participation of the British CH-47 crewmen during the air tactics course is an important facet to NATO interoperability on future battlefields.

“In recent wars we’ve found ourselves with the US Marine Corps fighting side by side,” Squadron Leader Chris Middleton, the detachment commander for the RAF crew, said in a command release. “we have the lessons that we’ve gained working together in our pockets already then we’re going to be a more effective fighting force.”

Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.

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