US helicopters survey Obama's expected route

The US security team yesterday surveyed the road President Barack Obama will use after landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi today.

The MV-22 Ospreys helicopters protecting Obama flew over the city piloted by US Marine Recon teams.

The powerful Rolls Royce-Allisson turbo shaft engines shook the Standard Group Centre as they flew past to JKIA.

The aircraft are part of the HMX-1 Presidential Squadron based in Quantico, Virginia, USA.

The helicopters have been the primary assault support aircraft of the US Marine Corps since 2007.

Each has a crew of four – pilot, co-pilot and two flight engineers – and can carry up to 24 troops and extra ammunition.