Apair of helicopters hugs the terrain on approach to the objective, the pilots flying through the darkness as low as they can. The flight route has been selected so they remain undetected until the very last moment. Shortly before reaching the landing zone, the machines briefly gain height, then come to a rapid stop as the landing skids contact the top of a shipping container with a light crunch. Soldiers from the Kommando Spezialkraefte (KSK, Special Forces Command) quickly egress the helicopters' cabins. The only visible sign of the action is the green glow of the soldiers' night-vision goggles reflected on their faces. Under the cover of darkness, the rest of the exercise is carried out in secrecy. This action took place in the 'exercise town' of Schnoggersburg, located in the Altmark military training ground in eastern Germany. The focus of the manoeuvres was co-operation between the German Army's special forces troops stationed in Calw and the Luftwaffe pilots flying the H145M LUH SOF. Particular elements included landings in confined areas - such as rooftops - plus rappelling and fast-roping techniques to deploy soldiers.
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