Some of the Army’s most renowned aircraft have finished their ultimate flight today in Suffolk.

Soldiers of the Army Air Corps said goodbye to an “old friend” today, according to a former Apache pilot.

The Apache Mk1 (also known as the Apache Longbow) has been in service for 20 years, but today marks its retirement as it makes its final flight around the nation.

Speaking from Wattisham Airfield today, retired Apache flying instructor Major Pearce (Retd) said, “it is sad to see such a capable helicopter finish its time, having flown so many hours and done so many things.”

Four of the aircraft carried out a farewell fly-past over bases who benefitted from the attack helicopters’ presence on operations worldwide.

On its return journey from deployment in Norway, the formation has flown over bases near Bristol, Salisbury Plain, London and Colchester, and has landed at its home base at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk for the last time, spectated by a crowd of admirers who gathered to celebrate the Mk1’s achievements.

The aircraft carried out missions in Libya and Afghanistan (where it escorted Medivac helicopters and troops on the ground) and has been launched from navy ships around the world.

When asked about the future, Major Pearce said, “I’m looking forward to seeing a new version of the Apache called the E-Model come into service.”

The new Apache E-Model (AH-64E) will be taking over from the Mk1 and brings a whole host of new capabilities which leap the Army’s air power into the 21st century.

Now that the Mk1s have landed back home, they’ll be sent to America for recycling into the modernised machines.

As the crafts’ wheels hit the runway and the rotor blades came to a stop, a chapter ended for the Air Corps. However, it also signified the dawn of a new digital age in Army aviation.