OPERATION HERRICK

A busy and challenging week for the Hercules of 904 EAW; flying the extra sorties generated to transport the casualties from Operation Panthers Claw resulted in a sombre but determined mood amongst the crews. With the aircraft remaining serviceable all week a total of over 2450 passengers and over 250 tonnes of freight were transported. In a difficult week there were some lighter moments; one aircraft transported a number of Lords and MPs within Theatre as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, while another moved a multi-gym in amongst a load of vehicle axles, grenades and rockets. Mid week a serviceman who needed to return to the UK for urgent compassionate reasons was collected and taken to a waiting Tristar for onward move to the UK. At the end of the week one aircraft spent a night transporting freight around the Operation Telic area of operation.

Much of the flying this week for the Tornados of 904EAW has also been in support of Operation Panthers Claw. Nearly all daytime formations have either been tasked to support the operation or re-tasked once airborne in response to UK units coming into contact with enemy forces in the area. Many missions have involved searching treelines and compounds for enemy presence prior to and during the move of friendly patrols. Unfortunately, a number of others have been required to provide armed overwatch for convoys and foot patrols that have been attacked by roadside bombs; ensuring that the enemy does not intervene while casualties are evacuated. Early in the week, one pair of Tornados was called on to conduct a strafe attack on a number of insurgents in a treeline that were firing on a friendly unit while another was called to attack a number of enemy firing points in open country. Following confirmation that there were no civilians in the area, the Tornados released 3 weapons. Some days later a pair of Tornados provided overwatch for an Afghan National Security Forces patrol while casualties were evacuated and another pair conducted 2 Shows of Force in support of another friendly patrol. Later, an aircraft fired a missile at enemy forces; the first such event for a Tornado in Afghanistan. Later that day, a Tornado, low on fuel, transited to a tanker aircraft to top up. However, on arrival the pilot discovered that the tanker has just become unserviceable and consequently he could not take on fuel. He had no option but to return to base where he landed safely but with minimal fuel left. At the end of the week, a Tornado pair conducting Tactical Reconnaissance were re-tasked to support a UK patrol that had suffered a strike from a roadside bomb. As the patrol was receiving fire, a Tornado conducted a Show of Force. With enemy fire continuing, the Tornado carried out a strafe against identified enemy firing points

The Comms Fleet transported a total of 26 passengers.

The Tristar of 902 EAW flew twice and dispensed over 50 tonnes of fuel to RAF Tornados and a combination of other coalition aircraft. The rectification of a fuel leak on the aircraft caused the engineers some difficulty mid week.

OPERATION TELIC

The Hercules of 901 EAW have continued to withdraw equipment and personnel from around the Op Telic area; in total they have transported over 300 passengers and over 180 tones of freight. On one of their trips they moved a number of passengers into Afghanistan. Despite the low flying rate, the aircraft have remained relatively serviceable. However, one aircraft did require an engine change. Even with the task being carried out in the over 30 degree relative cool of the night, the six hour task to refit the new engine still took its toll on the engineers.