In Pictures

The four volunteers receive a brief from the 9 Regiment Army Air Corps pilot [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rob McGowan, Royal Marines, watches his men walk out to the Apache [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

Captain David Rigg, Royal Engineers, (left) and Marine Chris Fraser-Perry climb aboard the Apache [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

Captain David Rigg, Royal Engineers, (left) and Marine Chris Fraser-Perry climb aboard the Apache [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

Sergeant Major Colin Hearn sits awaiting take-off [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

Captain David Rigg (left) and Marine Chris Fraser-Perry hold on for take-off [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

Captain David Rigg (left) and Marine Chris Fraser-Perry take off [Picture: Sgt Garry Stanton RAF]

A third Apache provided aerial cover [Picture: MOD]

Troops strapped to the small side 'wings' of the Apache helicopter [Picture: MOD]

In all, four Troops were strapped to the small side 'wings' of two Apaches, two to each helicopter [Picture: MOD]

The Apache flies to the Taliban stronghold with Marines strapped to the side 'wings' [Picture: MOD]

The Apache flies to the Taliban stronghold with Marines strapped to the side 'wings' [Picture: MOD]

The Apache flies to the Taliban stronghold with Marines strapped to the side 'wings' [Picture: MOD]
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