Tracer lights up the night sky as the RAF's biggest helicopter lets fly in a live firing exercise.

The twin-rotor Chinook fired its twin M134 Miniguns and single M60D General Purpose Machine guns at a mix of purpose-built targets at sea and on the foreshore of the Wash at Holbeach Range, near King's Lynn.

Eastern Daily Press: Tracer shells fired by the Chinook helicopter over The WashTracer shells fired by the Chinook helicopter over The Wash (Image: MoD)

The Ministry of Defence said the firing late last month was carried out by the onboard weapons system operators, who are required to conduct this training regularly to ensure they maintain their skills and safety qualifications.

"Firing from a moving helicopter is particularly difficult and the accuracy of the firing was assessed as part of the training," it said.

Eastern Daily Press: A weapons operator scans The Wash from the ChinookA weapons operator scans The Wash from the Chinook (Image: MoD)

"The training includes responses to various threat scenarios, such as self-defence when the aircraft is taking-off and landing."

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The aircraft from RAF Odiham, in Hampshire, landed at RAF Coningsby, in LInconshire, to refuel and replenish its ammunition.

Eastern Daily Press: The Chinook lands to re-arm and re-fuelThe Chinook lands to re-arm and re-fuel (Image: MoD)

Operating the aircraft and airborne gunnery at night requires additional skills, especially when ambient light levels are low.

While operating over the sea on a dark night at 200 feet above the water, the crew have very few references outside of the aircraft with which to gauge their height or attitude.

Eastern Daily Press: Red tracer rounds are fired at night to enable gunners' accuracy to be assessedRed tracer rounds are fired at night to enable gunners' accuracy to be assessed (Image: MoD)

The pilots must position the aircraft accurately and provide a stable platform from which to employ the guns.

Red tracer rounds are used to gauge accuracy and are especially vivid at night as they leave long trails across the sky until they burn out.

Eastern Daily Press: The RAF Chinook which took part in the exerciseThe RAF Chinook which took part in the exercise (Image: MoD)

The 10-ton Chinooks conduct a wide variety of tasks from carrying troops and equipment, transporting injured service personnel from the battlefield to medical care.

More recently, the aircraft have been deployed to Estonia as part of the bilateral agreement between the defence ministers of Estonia and the UK.

Eastern Daily Press: A weapons operator on board the Chinook over The WashA weapons operator on board the Chinook over The Wash (Image: MoD)

Whilst in Estonia they supported NATO’s enhanced forward presence in the region.