“Regular readers will have noticed recent delays in producing operational updates. This has been due to the deployment of HQ Air Media and Communications staff to out-of-area postings in theatre and subsequent post-operational leave. We apologise for any inconvenience and assure everyone that normal service has now been resumed.”

OPERATION HERRICK

Tasking for the Hercules of 904 EAW has been relatively light this week as a result of the slower operational tempo of ground forces in Helmand. Fortunately, the aircraft chose this week to misbehave; suffering a bad run for serviceability. Sterling work by the engineering team ensured that sufficient aircraft were available to complete the task each day. Early in the week, an aircraft transported passengers from a partner coalition nation to a destination outside the operational area so that they could meet their flight home. A second aircraft operating to another airfield outside the operational area suffered from an engine problem. Close cooperation with the Hercules team of 901 EAW allowed the appropriate spares to be provided and the aircraft was soon returned to service. The remainder of the week was the usual mix of passengers and freight flights; passengers included one Range Rover vehicle and one defence minister. A number of casualties, one critical, were also carried. In all, this week the Hercules carried over 210 tonnes of freight and over 2770 passengers.

In contrast to the Hercules, the end of the combat phase of Operation Panthers Claw has had little discernable impact on the work of the Tornados of 904 EAW. The professionalism and resilience of the Tornado Detachment has been very much in evidence this week with sustained engineering effort allowing the crews to meet their tasking from an aircraft fleet still depleted by last week’s accident. At the start of the week, a Tornado released a weapon against enemy forces engaging a friendly patrol while another provided overwatch for a helicopter that was inserting troops. Midweek saw a successful tactical reconnaissance sortie. A Tornado carried out a Show of Force in support of a Friendly foot patrol and later a pair of Tornados carried out 4 Shows of Presence to deter enemy forces from interfering with a convoy that had been struck by a roadside bomb. The following day, a Tornado released another weapon in support of friendly forces. Later, a pair of Tornados conducted a Show of Force in support of Afghani nationals holding a Shura and another Show of Force to deter hostile forces from attacking a forward operating base. That evening, another pair of Tornados carried out a Show of Presence to deter interference with a stricken vehicle. Two further Shows of Presence were conducted in support of a convoy move and a friendly patrol. The week ended with the release of another weapon and a Show of Force to deter enemy forces who were attacking Afghan National Police personnel.

The Comms Fleet transported a total of 19 passengers.

OPERATION TELIC

This week the Hercules of 901 EAW transported the last UK service personnel out of Iraq to Kuwait. The remaining, mainly Royal Navy training team, personnel will pause in Kuwait awaiting the approval by the Iraqi parliament of the agreement covering their return. Although the operation to remove the UK personnel from Iraq went smoothly, it was delayed by 24 hours due to extremely bad weather over Iraq that prevented the aircraft from landing. In all, over 350 passengers and 110 tonnes of freight were transported.

Photographer: Cpl Kryssy Lees, RAF