RAF and Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) Weekly Ops Update 12-18 Sep 11

Attack

The 39 Sqn Reaper detachment, operating from Kandahar airfield, struck several heavy blows against insurgents this week, while maintaining the crucial flow of detailed imagery and intelligence to ground commanders. During one mission over Helmand province, conducted in support of US Marines operating west of Marjeh, the Reaper crew spotted 2 insurgents planting an IED on a route frequently used by ISAF troops and Afghan civilians. Using a precision Hellfire missile, the Reaper crew attacked the insurgents, killing them both. US Marines later recovered an AK-47, a machine gun and other IED components from the site.

ISTAR

Intelligence and Situational Awareness

The Royal Navy SKASaCs detachment at 903 EAW made full use of their reconnaissance and airborne command and control capabilities this week, while continuing to work with the US Marines of Task Force Leatherneck. Operating in central and southern Helmand, the SKASaCs crews used the aircraft’s advanced radar system to track vehicle movements in the area, providing near-real time information to ground troops and coordinating with other ISAF aircraft to gather video imagery in order to disrupt insurgent supply routes and drug-smuggling activities in the area.

31 Sqn’s detachment at Kandahar airfield showed the true meaning of Combat ISTAR this week, delivering tactical reconnaissance, shows of force and kinetic effect in support of British and ISAF troops throughout Afghanistan. On one such mission, a Tornado conducted 2 shows of force in Logar province to deter insurgent activity. On a separate sortie over Paktika province, a Tornado was called in to support US troops that had come under insurgent attack and had taken casualties. Despite poor weather, approaching darkness and mountainous terrain, the Tornado crew carried out 2 strafe attacks, using the aircraft’s 27mm cannon to suppress insurgent fire while a helicopter recovered the casualties, and then dropped a Paveway IV precision bomb on the insurgents’ position, allowing the US troops to withdraw from the contact.

Air Mobility and Lift

The RAF’s air mobility fleet enjoyed a busy week in Afghanistan and the Middle East, delivering passengers and freight throughout the region. 901 EAW’s Command Support Air Transport HS125 and a JHF(A) RAF Merlin helicopter conveyed HRH the Duke of Kent during his visit to Helmand province, while the BAe146 supported a regional tour by the Chief of Joint Operations, Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach. Meanwhile, 904 EAW’s C130 Hercules detachment carried over 180 tonnes of freight and almost 1900 passengers, including 10 VIPs.

JHF(A)

Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)

JHF(A)’s aviation assets continue to be heavily involved in the facilitation of the on-going Bde RiP. This week has seen JHF(A) meet the relatively small but significant milestone of having completed 900 out of 9000 planned RiP personnel movements (10% of the overall RiP). 663 (Apache) Sqn has culminated their Op HERRICK deployment with a successful strike against a high value target, who was a mid-level insurgent commander in the Nadi-Ali region. This strike was a culmination of over 10 hours of almost continuous overwatch and it is hoped that this result will reduce the level of harassment being experienced by ISAF forces in the area.

83 EAG Marks Battle of Britain Anniversary

RAF personnel in Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East marked the 71^st anniversary of the Battle of Britain this week. Air Cdre Ashley Stevenson and staff from 83 EAG and 901 EAW hosted a Battle of Britain commemoration attended by the Coalition Forces Air Component Commander, Lt Gen David Goldfein, and senior commanders from the American, Australian, Canadian and French contingents at the CAOC. Further afield, 902 and 903 EAWs conducted Sunset Ceremonies to remember the Battle. However, the highpoint of the commemorations was a truly captivating personal video message to Air Cdre Stevenson, and all RAF personnel on operations in the Gulf and Afghanistan, from Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Geoffrey Wellum, one of the last of ‘The Few’ that fought in the summer of 1940. ‘We will remember them.’

Editor: Flt Lt E A Price

Photography: RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2011.