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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Stephen Topping

The reason Apache attack helicopters were flying over Greater Manchester last night

This was the moment an attack helicopter flew over the streets of Bury.

Residents across Greater Manchester spotted the choppers flying overhead on Thursday evening (July 8).

People in Bury, Bolton, Salford, Oldham and Rochdale all reported seeing the helicopters on the Manchester Evening News Facebook page.

READ MORE: Residents evacuated in Moss Side after car crashes into house causing 'gas leak'

The British Army has now confirmed that the choppers were Apache attack helicopters, being flown above Greater Manchester during a training exercise for its pilots.

A British Army spokesperson said: "The flight yesterday was an aircraft from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, 1 st Aviation Brigade based at Wattisham Flying Station which was conducting routine training to maintain essential currency for our pilots.

"4 Regiment Army Air Corps is one of the units within 1 st Aviation Brigade. 1 st Aviation Brigade brings together the reconnaissance and attack elements of Army Aviation, allowing the Brigade to be a rapidly deployable capability, with wide-ranging utility.

"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."

For more information about the Army Air Corps see the British Army website.

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