OPERATION HERRICK

The C-130 Hercules detachment at 904 EAW had a particularly busy week, given a demanding operational tempo and a wide variety of tasking. Aircrews are constantly tested to their limits and as a result of rigorous training and regular practice in peace time, they reliably deliver excellent effect when required under challenging operational conditions. Alongside other mainstream Tactical Air Transport sorties, a successful leaflet drop was conducted. This was a particularly noteworthy result because an airborne re-plan had to be undertaken, due to differences between actual and forecast wind conditions. Operations such this are designed to inform the local population about Coalition activities. Despite unforeseen pressures from external agencies and aircraft unserviceabilities having a direct effect on the C-130s of 904 EAW, over 2200 passengers and 230 tonnes of freight were transported. Supreme efforts from the C-130 aircraft engineers ensured that mission success was achieved throughout this period. Amongst this broad range of tasking, high priority short-notice requests were also met, against the backdrop of increasing Tactical Air Transport support to NATO’s International Stabilisation Assistance Force (ISAF).

For the Harrier GR9s of 904 EAW it has been a comparatively quiet week, with a slower operational tempo than has been the case recently. However, multiple reconnaissance missions were tasked and successfully executed, providing Ground Commanders with essential imagery of Enemy activity. It is imperative that this imagery is interpreted as rapidly as possible, to provide the necessary detail to meet the operational demand. Close liaison and briefings continue to cement Coalition relations, achieving maximum effect with shared data from Close Air Support missions. Such liaison provides valuable lessons learned and tactical development across the whole fighter contingent. A rolling schedule of Harrier maintenance ensures aircraft availability and despite unscheduled maintenance events, all tasking was still achieved this week. An ongoing modification programme also ensures Harrier capabilities are kept at the cutting edge of air warfare tactics.

The Communications Flight of 901 EAW has maintained a busy schedule providing operational transport throughout the region. Over 60 sorties have been carried out this week in support of essential ongoing work in preparation for the handing over of authority to the Iraqi administration. Effective contracted engineering support, summoned from the UK ensured rapid re-generation of an unserviceable aircraft, ensuring the full programme of tasks could be achieved.

Planned maintenance for the Nimrod MR2 means it will return to the UK to have essential engineering work carried out.

The Tristar has been particularly busy this week, offloading over 250 tonnes of fuel to receiver aircraft; the largest amount given since records began. It remains serviceable and ready to undertake further tasking in support of Operation HERRICK.

OPERATION TELIC

Prolonged unseasonably poor weather is forecast to continue in the operating area for the Tornado GR4 aircraft of 901 EAW. Regardless of this however, both Close Air Support and Reconnaissance Missions have successfully been undertaken this week. Work continues for the Tornado GR4’s to maximise their capabilities in-theatre. Aircrew continually analyse mission data, allowing tactics to be modified based on the feedback obtained from live missions. This provides aircrew with added confidence that planned sorties are utilising up to the minute information to prosecute optimum mission success. This work is carried out in total harmony with aircraft engineers, who ensure that these requirements are translated into modifications on the state-of-the-art equipment fitted to Tornado GR4’s. Despite ever-increasing temperatures, the aircraft engineers continue to support the flying effort in sterling fashion.

Although a prolonged situation with aircraft unserviceabilities was experienced this week, clever management of remaining aircraft assets allowed the VC10 fleet of 901 EAW to fulfil all scheduled tasking; in some instances this required flying double sorties. Close integration with coalition partners resulted in a rapid engineering solution being found, leading to the generation of a serviceable aircraft. Given the wide mix of coalition aircraft operating in the Herrick theatre, the drogue arrangement on the VC10 aircraft provides excellent flexibility across the whole range of receiver aircraft. This allowed some very high profile sorties to be executed, involving tremendously close cooperation between the receiver and donor aircraft crews, under maximum pressure in the air. In this situation every last drop of spare fuel available from the VC10 is essential to guarantee the reach of GR4 Tornado aircraft, in support of Ground Operations.

The Hercules aircraft of 901 EAW consistently meet the ebb and flow of Operational Tempo demands, where surge as well as sustained effort is often required, sometimes in very short periods. This has been quite apparent with the continuing support to the transition work currently being undertaken in support of the ISAF mission in Iraq. However, meeting such demands places pressures on other areas of aircraft support, but a very in-depth Logistics support chain exists to meet these demands, which reacts instantly to the pull of aircraft requirements. A significant amount of prior planning is essential to meet the logistics footprint to sustain this level of effort, but consistently realises benefits in the longer term. Flexibility remains a key component in the armoury of the C-130s of 901 EAW, which was suitably demonstrated with additional tasking to execute some very high profile sorties this week.

15 Squadron RAF Regiment are now fully in the swing of familiarisation in readiness to transfer to new armoured vehicles. This brings new challenges, but also opportunities to develop further their familiarisation on the ground. Close cooperation with other UK and coalition agencies, means that 15 Sqn RAF Regiment are fully in control in their area of authority.

Further relationship-building by UK and coalition members has seen closer integration of local agencies working together to complete work at Basrah International Airport this week. The influx of US Forces into the region is also gathering momentum, adding further to the transition work being conducted by coalition members.

Images: RAF/MOD

Image 1: A Chinook as a heavy load

Image 2: TriStar Aircrew prepare for flight

Image 3: A Hercules being prepared

Image 4: RAF Regiment on patrol

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery