OPERATION HERRICK

Tasking for the Hercules of 904 EAW is starting to ramp up again as the fleet supports the move of UK and coalition land forces within the operational area. In all over 2400 passengers and 175 tonnes of freight were moved this week. Early in the week aircraft carried a number of wounded servicemen of various nationalities, some of whom had been critically injured. Also, an aircraft was generated at short notice to transport a serviceman, who had to leave theatre for urgent compassionate reasons, out of Theatre to an airfield in the Middle East in order to meet a flight back to the UK. A second aircraft made a similar journey for the same reason later in the week. A further aircraft also transited to another airfield in the Middle East to collect freight. The engineering team have again contributed massively to operational success this week with their dedicated work maintaining high levels of aircraft serviceability. However, the highlight for the force this week came when one of the junior members of the team, who just happens to be a member of the British Army, was awarded the commendation of the Air Component Commander for his actions after spotting unexploded ordinance. The Lance Corporal was working near the aircraft when he spotted something unusual. Despite the risk to himself, he investigated the item further and identified it as an unexploded weapon left over from a previous conflict in the area. His prompt action allowed the weapon to be safely dealt with and prevented injury to his colleagues and damage to aircraft.

For the Tornados of 904 EAW, this week has been fairly routine for most of time. Early in the week, a crew were called to demonstrate the fine judgement required of all aircrew when they were requested to release a weapon. The Tornado had been called to support ground forces that had been hit by a roadside bomb strike. As the Tornado arrived and relieved another coalition aircraft, an attack helicopter was engaging a number of hostile forces; the friendly forces ground commander then requested that the Tornado release a weapon. Balancing, as always, the needs of the ground forces against the risk to civilians, on this occasion the aircrew felt the risk to civilians from the weapons they were carrying was too great and they elected to not release. Later, another pair of Tornados were called to support UK ground forces who were receiving heavy small arms and RPG fire. A Show of Force was flown to deter the attackers. As the friendly patrol moved off, the Tornados remained in the area to provide further support; they were still on station when the patrol came under more fire. Having positively identified enemy forces in a treeline, both Tornados conducted a strafe attack. Midweek, Tornados were called to perform a Show of Force to deter enemy interference in a ground unit’s activity. Having complied with the request, the crew was reallocated to another unit. Soon after checking in with the new unit, the Tornado was called to perform another Show of Force. The rest of the week consisted of overwatch for convoys and searching lines of communication; a successful tactical reconnaissance sortie rounded the week off.

The VC10 of 902 EAW flew 4 times and dispensed almost 100 tonnes of fuel to coalition aircraft. The Comms Fleet had a busy week transporting 52 passengers.

OPERATION TELIC

The Hercules of 901 EAW have continued their sterling support of the units in the Middle East and the UK Government personnel remaining in Bagdad. This week they transported a total 45 tonnes of freight and over 90 passengers. With the aircraft behaving themselves, the engineering team have had a relatively easy week. In addition to the routine tasking, the aircrew were specially tasked to deliver some operationally urgent spares for the Royal Navy. Unfortunately, they also had the sad duty of assisting with the repatriation of a UK citizen who had died in Iraq.

Editor: Sqn Ldr Iain Houghton

Photographer: Cpl Kryssy Lees.

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2009.