Airfield plays host to Afghan training (From York Press)

Airfield plays host to Afghan training

9:42am Tuesday 23rd January 2007 in

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TWO Apache helicopters seen flying over York were in training for a posting to Afghanistan.

The helicopters, part of 664 Squadron of 9 Regiment the Army Air Corps, based at RAF Dishforth, were operating yesterday out of Rufforth airfield.

Some residents were concerned to see them flying overhead. Sarah Langan, who saw them circling above Carr Infant School and the Beckfield Lane area of Acomb, said: "This was rather worrying and alarming to parents dropping children off in the playground. It made people feel rather uneasy at such an unusual sight."

Asked why people in the area had not been forewarned, an Army spokesman said: "Training happens on a daily basis and it would be very difficult to send press releases out on every training issue that's happening in the area."

But he said there was a phone number people could ring to find out more about low-flying military exercises - 0800 515544, from 8am to 5pm.