RAF Puma Loadmaster - Iraq

A Royal Air Force Loadmaster uses night vision goggles to watch for small arms or RPG fire as an RAF Puma helicopter takes off from Baghdad, Iraq, 2008. Among other tasks, RAF Pumas deployed to Iraq supported Task Force Black, a British special forces task force tasked with targeting terrorist and insurgent forces. Along with Lynx Mk7 helicopters from Army Air Corps 657 Squadron, Pumas would insert and extract UKSF forces on snatch and grab raids and other operations in the Iraqi capital and other parts of the country. UKSF snipers would also operate from TF Black helos, providing overwatch for ground operations.