OPERATION HERRICK

The operational tempo continued unabated this week for the Hercules C-130 aircraft of 904 EAW, with over 2300 passengers being transported and over of 280 tonnes of freight being delivered. The current high level of activity resulted in some peaks of activity, which meant an unusually high number of passengers being transported over a compressed time period. A wide variety of sorties was executed this week which included direct support to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and an essential Air Delivered Stores sortie. In supporting this level of flying effort, a range of aircraft unserviceabilities were rectified by the aircraft engineers, who worked tirelessly to ensure that sufficient aircraft remained available to meet required tasking.

The Harrier aircraft of 904 EAW saw efforts concentrated on reconnaissance missions this week in direct support of building the Operation HERRICK intelligence picture. To further Air-Land Integration development, a liaison visit by fast jet aircrew in theatre to the UK 19 Brigade Task Force Helmand HQ was carried out this week, including Belgian, Dutch and French aircrew, who considered the visit a very useful forum for the exchange of ideas. Aircraft serviceability was maintained through continuous hard work and effort from dedicated engineering and logistics personnel.

The Communications Flight of 901 EAW successfully maintained their essential task of transporting key personnel throughout both the Operation TELIC and HERRICK theatres.

Despite poor weather conditions, the Tristar of 902 EAW dispensed over 100 tonnes of fuel to a wide variety of Coalition aircraft and continued to deliver mission success in support of Operation HERRICK. Engineering support on the ground experienced a particularly demanding period of activity this week, with some complicated maintenance problems to resolve. However, the continued professionalism and dedication of the Tristar ground crew of 902 EAW ensured that the problems were rectified quickly and the aircraft was available for tasking much sooner than anticipated.

OPERATION TELIC

This week’s effort from the VC10 fleet of 901 EAW was complicated by concurrent unserviceability and poor weather. With ceaseless support from the aircraft engineers, sufficient aircraft were generated to carry out all operational commitments this week, with some extended sorties being executed due to dynamic tasking requirements of receiver aircraft. Continuous close integration with receiver Tornado aircrew, during post sortie de-briefs, allows the VC10 crews to fully appreciate the importance of their tanker support. This ongoing process allows minor adjustments to be made to sortie planning, where required, to further improve this key operational activity..

Increasing tasking in support of the operational transition in Iraq is now being witnessed by an increase in the operations of the Hercules fleet of 901 EAW. Careful prior planning has allowed the achievement of all flying tasks this week. The Hercules fleet successfully transported over 1000 passengers and over 100 tonnes of freight.

The recent trend of inclement weather has continued this week, and has hampered 901 EAW Tornado operations further. Indeed, thunderstorms and dust clouds forced many Coalition aircraft to curtail their activities. However, in testimony to their capabilities, the Tornado GR4s maintained a presence in the air over the operational area of Operations TELIC and HERRICK, successfully prosecuting in excess of twelve Close Air Support missions. However, with visibility limited by dust clouds, high-quality reconnaissance imagery proved very difficult to obtain.

903 EAW personnel continued to handle both civilian and military visiting aircraft at Basrah International Airport, with over 2600 passengers and 100 tonnes of freight being managed this week. The second Airfield User Working Group meeting also took place this week, which is proving to be the ideal forum to highlight key airfield issues. Commercial development of the Basrah Business Centre remains a key focus for this region and several Industrial and Commercial companies have indicated a keen interest in siting their operations in there. This level of interest is a positive display of forthcoming economic re-generation in the Basrah region of Iraq.

Images: RAF/MOD

Header Image: Harrier GR9 aircraft.

Image 1: C-130 Hercules Cargo Movement.

Image 2: C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Image 3: Groundcrew Work.

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery.