Ops Update 12 Dec 2010
Ops Update 12 Dec 2010
Control of the Air
RAF personnel marked the first anniversary of their work within ‘Pyramid Control’ at a major Coalition Airbase in the Middle East. They play a vital role in the air campaign over Afghanistan by providing the tactical control over all coalition air assets in the eastern half of the country. This small team of RAF controllers are fully integrated into all roles on the Operations floor and are an essential link in providing UK and ISAF troops armed over watch and Close Air Support for Troops In Contact.
Intelligence & Situational Awareness
Nimrod R1 aircraft from RAF Waddington based 51 Sqn have had a successful week providing excellent situational awareness for ISAF Ground Commanders involved in planning and executing Op HAMKARI. The information superiority provided by the Nimrod has enabled key successes in the ANSF led operation as it spreads out further from Kandahar, bringing increased stability and security to more of the Afghan population.
A busy week for Sentinel aircraft from 5(AC) flying from 902 EAW’s Middle Eastern Airbase. The Sentinel’s main effort has been its continued support to securing huge swathes of Afghanistan’s remote and mountainous deserts and borders. However, on several occasions the Sentinel and its crew demonstrated impressive adaptability and capability by being retasked in flight to provide dynamic support to ISAF Ground Commanders and troops on other missions.
Royal Navy SKASaCs gave rapid assistance to the UK Task Force Helmand Ground Commanders during operations this week. Normally the 903 EAW based Sea King Helicopters are engaged in taskings that take them further afield in both RC(S) and RC(SW) so the chance to work directly with other UK forces was a welcome addition to their operations.
Air Mobility/Lift
Another impressive week for the Hercules of 901 EAW and the Kandahar based 904 EAW Hercules Detachment. The no-notice High-Priority transportation of the Prime Minister around theatre was seamlessly taken up by the C-130J Hercules of 901 EAW. The KAF based Hercules exemplified the agility of Air Mobility by taking up the additional activity previously programmed for the retasked 901 EAW Hercules. Notwithstanding the necessary complete re-planning of the week’s activity the Hercules fleet moved an above average number of personnel in and around theatre. And finally, they even had the capability to adapt plans to help out coalition allies by moving American mail cargo from one end of Afghanistan to the other.
Attack
This has been the first week in their tour that the Kandahar Airfield based Tornado GR4s from 14 Sqn have not been required to use Kinetic operations to deliver airpower effect for Ground Commanders. However, this has been another busy week with continued support the major ANSF led Op HAMKARI in Kandahar province. In one particular mission, the Ground Close Air Support aircraft was scrambled to give rapid support to ISAF ground troops who had come under insurgent attack. An armed over watch and Show Of Force, low and fast flights over the top of suspected Insurgent positions, provided a escalated aggressive posture that disrupted any further hostile acts.
See also:
KEY ACTIVITY 06 – 12 DEC 10
Nimrod’s Information Superiority Role
US Marine Receives RAF Endorsement
SKASaCs Rapid Assistance to TFH
RAF personnel mark a year in the Pyramid
Editor: Sqn Ldr P R Lipscomb.
Photography: RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2010.