XIII Sqn Operation Herrick – July 2010 - October 2010

July signalled Number XIII Squadron’s deployment to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan to take over the mantle of providing armed over-watch for Coalition Forces conducting ground operations throughout Afghanistan. We were taking over the Tornado Detachment (TORDET) from II(AC) Squadron as the final RAF Marham squadron and last of the Tornado GR4 squadron’s to fulfil the role prior to RAF Lossiemouth beginning the rota again in mid-October 2010.

For the majority of the Squadron personnel it was their first time in theatre but for those that had been out there before they described a vast change in the structure of Kandahar Airfield – more aircraft, more buildings, and more roads, basically more of everything. What hadn’t changed were the dust and the heat at this time of year. The temperatures soared into the mid-40s C and the dust continued to invade every nook and cranny.

The Squadron task was to provide armed over-watch, Non-Traditional Intelligence and Reconnaissance via the LITENING III targeting pod and more traditional reconnaissance using the RAPTOR imaging system. The main area of operation was overhead Helmand Province, an area commanded by British forces, and much of the task was aimed at detecting Improvised Explosive Devices and the insurgents who planted them. However, sorties were conducted throughout Afghanistan as required. Whilst conducting reconnaissance searches the aircrew were always ready to be called to employ armaments in support of ground troops if required.

None of this support to Coalition ground Forces would have been possible without the enormous effort of the Squadron ground crew and engineers. Despite rocket attacks, the searing heat and dust filled air, the engineers unstintingly stuck to their task; in fact due to their endeavours and the support of all ground staff, Number XIII Squadron managed to total 1850 flying hours whilst deployed in theatre – a Tornado GR4 record for Operation HERRICK

Away from the operational task the whole Squadron contributed to fund raising efforts in support of a children’s hospice by running, walking or rowing with the total mileage exceeding the distance between RAF Marham and Kandahar. Sponsorship for the miles accrued totalled more than £800. Not only did these endeavours raise much needed funds for the hospice but it also raised the overall fitness of everyone, and also reduced the overall girth of many!

Having returned to RAF Marham in October the Squadron enjoyed a period of Post Operational Detachment Leave with their families and friends before starting the next round of training to concentrate on the core skills they had been unable to practice in an operational setting.