AN aircraft which has struck fear into the hearts of soldiers around the globe hovered over the north for the first time yesterday.

An Apache helicopter flew into the Army Air Corps base, at Dishforth, to mark the departure of commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ian Thomson. North Yorkshire's 9 Regiment will be equipped with the helicopter from August 2003.

Lt Col Thomson was flown off the base in the back seat of a Hawk from nearby RAF Leeming, the Apache dropping its nose in salute.

Lt Col Thomson is taking up a post in Germany