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Two army helicopters landed in Derby yesterday afternoon on a secretive "Covid-19-related" mission.

The pair of Wildcats touched down on the Racecourse Park, Chaddesden, after flying over the city from the south at around 2pm, witnesses say.

Derbyshire Live understands that the mission was related to an operation given the codename Rescript.

The aircraft seen in Derby are light multi-role helicopters flown by the One Regiment Army Air Corps, part of the Army's new First Aviation Brigade, rather than the RAF, as had been suggested.

The helicopter’s primary role is surveillance and reconnaissance, but it has the capacity to conduct a range of tasks, such as moving up to six people and a variety of equipment.

They enable access to isolated communities where people may not be able to get urgent medical care during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as providing logistical support to the NHS where required.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Scott is the Commanding Officer of One Regiment Army Air Corps.

He said: "We are a Regiment that draws our personnel from every corner of the UK and the wider Commonwealth, and it will be our honour and duty to step-up and assist the UK Government, wherever required, during Operation Rescript.

"Our people have significant operational experience and they are ready to turn their hand to the variety of tasking we are likely to see, be that in the air or on the ground. We will be joined by our colleagues from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in delivering our collective response – a team of teams that has succeeded on numerous occasions overseas.

"In the last two years, the Regiment has honed our skills on operations in Estonia and overseas exercises in Oman, Croatia and France as well as preparing for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief in the Caribbean. We stand ready to play our part alongside the brave men and women of the emergency services."

Derby resident Guthrie Whitby said the helicopters then returned at around 4.40pm, but were not on the ground for long before leaving on both occasions.

He said: "Two helicopters have been shuttling in and out of Derby today.

"Two helicopters arriving from south of the city at low altitude at 2pm and again at 4.40pm with cargo bay doors open.

"I can also say that the helicopters were not on the ground for very long. About five minutes each time. So presumably transferring supplies rather than patients."

Now, an army spokesperson has confirmed that the aircraft were undertaking "Covid-19 related tasking", as part of their new role in the newly-formed First Aviation Brigade, having left RNAS Yeovilton.

However, the spokesperson also said the army cannot comment on the details of the operation that was taking place.

Another witness saw four people dressed in uniform awaiting the arrival of the helicopters on the park.

The witness, who did not wish to be named, said: "There were four people stood, dressed in uniform.

"Then 10 minutes later the helicopters landed, then took off again."

(Image: Guthrie Whitby)

Yesterday, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said military helicopters are being deployed to support medical services as the UK deals with the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Gove said requests for assistance from NHS boards and trusts across the Midlands and southern England are being met from a helicopter facility working out of RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The creation of these helicopter hubs is the next step in our Armed Forces’ contribution to tackling the coronavirus outbreak whenever it appears throughout the United Kingdom."