Immediate Response

Helmand, 2006: in the desert and the mountains outnumbered British troops face relentless Taliban assaults. Only the Chinooks and their crews keep them in the game. Touching down under heavy fire, they pick up casualties, drop vital supplies and dodge devastating RPG attacks.

Then they launch their biggest operation. A high-risk airborne assault by a fleet of heavily armed helicopters deep into the Afghan heart of darkness. But one of their number will be downed . . .

Decorated Chinook pilot Major Mark Hammond tells the gripping inside story of his squadron's war, where hi-tech hardware meets old-fashioned grit.