SAC Burke marshalling crew out of the sun shelter on evening of 18 Dec

IX (B) Squadron Operations Report - 10 January 2009

This Christmas, the Tornado GR4 has significantly increased its capability in the CAS and COIN arenas through the first operational flight of the new MBDA(UK) Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone Missile (DMS Brimstone). The Tornado GR4 can currently carry 3 of these missiles under the fuselage of the aircraft in addition to other weapons and an advanced targeting pod. The missile is based on the current in-service ‘legacy’ Brimstone and enhances the GR4 Force’s capability to engage static and fast-moving targets with lethal efficiency. The weapon is accurate enough to allow it to engage fast-moving targets effectively and its relatively small warhead enables target engagement in close proximity to property and non-combatant personnel.

The evening of the 18 Dec saw a team of dedicated IX(B) Sqn Armourers, led by the Armament Trade Manager Chief Tech Kev Forshaw, load the DMS Brimstone onto ac ZA585, along with a Paveway 2 1000lb laser guided bomb and a Litening III advanced targeting pod; this load, combined with the 27mm Mauser cannon makes the Tornado GR4 an extremely potent weapon in the fight against insurgents in Iraq. The crew of the ZA585 were 2 of IX(B) Sqn’s Qualified Weapons Instructors (QWIs), Flt Lts James Heeps and Kenny McLean. Both had been working closely with various agencies in the UK to ensure that DMS Brimstone’s first Operational sortie went without a hitch. Post landing, Flt Lt James Heeps was quoted as saying, “It was an honour for Kenny and I to fly the first operational sortie with this missile; it was the first time a GR4 has been able to check-in with a Joint Terminal Attack Controller with a weapons fit capable of engaging any likely target, including personnel, buildings and particularly, fast-moving vehicles. It was pleasing to see the hard work of industry, 41 Squadron and the relevant IPTs come to fruition.”

OC IX(B) Sqn, Wg Cdr Nick Hay was quoted as saying, “The new Brimstone/Paveway II weapons fit is perhaps the most relevant to current GR4 operations and I am immensely proud of the efforts made by the weapons Trade Manager, his fellow engineers and the Sqn Weapons Instructors to ensure that the inaugural operational flight of DMS Brimstone occurred this week. Of course, their work was not executed in isolation; a great deal of work has been done by many different organisations both here and in the UK and we have received extensive support from a number of key individuals over the past few weeks to ensure this weapon flew on 18th Dec. The DMS Brimstone missile has added yet another excellent capability that RAF offensive air assets can deliver in support of ongoing ground force missions in the Middle East.”

The Tornado GR4 has been conducting continuous operational flying in the region since Op Granby (Gulf War 1) and next year will be the 19th year that GR4s have been engaged on operational flying in the region. Rather than step back, the force is due to increase its operational focus next April by taking over responsibility for UK offensive air operations in Afghanistan from the Joint Harrier Force whilst maintaining its current commitment to Op TELIC. IX(B) Sqn’s current tour on Op TELIC commenced on the 1st December 08 and her officers and airmen have been providing CAS and tactical reconnaissance support to British and coalition forces on the ground in Iraq for over a month now. At time of writing, they have satisified 100% of their taskings as a consequence of some outstanding effort by the Sqn engineers and the support personnel embedded in 901 Expeditionary Air Wing.

Personnel in the pictures:



Cpl Kev Stephenson

SAC Burke, Cpl Merrett, Cpl Stephenson (L to R) + Flt Lt Heeps (P), Mclean (WSO)




Flt Lt Mclean (WSO) and Flt Lt Heeps (P) performing pre-flt weapons cx



Tornado GR4 weapons check