RAF and Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) Weekly Ops Update 5-11 Sep 11

ISTAR

Intelligence and Situational Awareness

The aircrew and ground staff of 31 Sqn and Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing continued to deliver crucial support to ISAF all over Afghanistan this week, with much of their effort focussed on the west and south of the country. Imagery gathered by their RAPTOR and Litening III reconnaissance pods was delivered to ground commanders, providing battle-winning information about insurgent activity. In one instance, the high-alert GCAS aircraft was launched at night to provide short-notice close air support to UK troops while, on another mission, a 31 Sqn Tornado delivered a successful show of force over Italian troops that had been struck by an insurgent IED in Farah province.

The Kandahar-based Reapers of 39 Sqn continued to provide reconnaissance and attack support to ISAF troops in south-west Afghanistan this week. As well as delivering 260 hours of detailed video imagery, the Reaper crews also conducted a successful Hellfire strike against insurgents. After US Marines came under attack from insurgents in a compound near Marjeh, a UK Reaper was called in to provide support. Although the insurgents were clearly visible from the air, the Reaper crew elected not to attack due to the risk of possible civilian casualties. A few moments later, the insurgents made off on a motorbike, heading towards a new firing point. The Reaper crew fired a Hellfire missile, hitting the speeding motorbike and killing both insurgents. US Marines later recovered an AK-47 and a machine gun from the impact site.

Air Mobility and Lift

902 EAW briefly hosted an additional VC10 tanker this week, as a replacement for one returning to RAF Brize Norton for scheduled maintenance. Despite the extra work generated by the airframe swap, the 101 Sqn detachment continued their vital task of refuelling Coalition aircraft over Afghanistan. This week saw the arrival of aircraft from the USS Nimitz, and the VC10 crews again found themselves supporting a broad range of USN combat jets, as well as French and Italian aircraft, delivering close air support and reconnaissance to troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

This week saw the Kandahar-based C130 Hercules fleet supporting UK and ISAF troops, while also swapping airframes to conduct scheduled maintenance at RAF Brize Norton. Ranging throughout Afghanistan, the detachment carried almost 1900 passengers and delivered 258 tonnes of freight as far afield as Shindand, Tarin Kowt and, notably, Farah, where the runway is a rough strip marked out on the natural terrain, as well as maintaining the vital passenger and freight link between Kandahar, Camp Bastion and bases in the Middle East.

JHF(A)

Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)

This week JHF(A) assets undertook a number of Deliberate Operations in conjunction with satisfying the increased demand for aviation as a consequence of the on-going Brigade RiP. JHF(A) supported J Coy, 42 Cdo in a series of operations which took place between 03 Sep 11 – 06 Sep 11, which were supported by 13 separate aircraft over the 3 day period. 50 personnel from J Coy, 42 Cdo were required to be infilled, resupplied and exfilled into the Nadi-Ali North region where ground troops were required to disrupt insurgents in the area of SHAHEED.

Editor: Flt Lt E A Price

Photography: RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2011.