OP HERRICK – 22 August 2010

Hercules

The C-130J Hercules detached to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan to support Op HERRICK moved 164 tons of freight and over 1998 coalition troops during the week.

The Hercules also completed 2 short notice Air Drops in support of British troops at their Forward Operating Bases. The Air Drops, which contained ammunition, water, food and other essential supplies, provides a rapid and safe means of re-supplying these bases without the need for road convoys or helicopter movements. The cargo is delivered at night from the Hercules on pallets suspended from parachutes, all of which landed very close to the intended drop point and were subsequently recovered by Friendly Forces.

Tornado

Following an uplift of the Tornado GR4 aircraft of Number 13 Squadron, this week proved to be extremely busy and the aircraft continued to successfully support Coalition forces and the Afghan people. During the week the Squadron completed 56 sorties, 3 of which used the RAPTOR reconnaissance Pod.

There were 5 kinetic events, as follows:

· A Tornado completed a suppressive fire strafe attack against an insurgent position that was firing at coalition troops, using its onboard 27mm Mauser Cannon. This attack achieved the ground commander’s intent and the Enemy Forces fire ceased.

· A Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone Missile was successfully employed against a fast moving insurgent’s vehicle.

· Two Paveway IV GPS guided bombs were successfully used against Enemy Forces who where firing at Friendly Force from a tree line.

· Two strafe attacked where conducted against enemy forces who where firing at Coalition troops from a tree line. The ground commander reported the rounds had landed exactly where required and the enemy fire had ceased.

All these events where conducted as self defense under ISAF and UK Rules of Engagement.

Reaper

The remotely piloted Reaper aircraft of Number 39 Squadron flew 14 missions this week in support of coalition forces and Afghan national security.

There was one kinetic event where insurgents, who were about to fire on coalition troops, were successfully targeted using a 500lb bomb. This attack was conducted as self defense under ISAF and UK Rules of Engagement.

Nimrod R1

The Nimrod R1 of Number 51 (Reconnaissance) Squadron based in the Gulf flew 1 planned missions in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan. These missions where in support of Ops LOYA BEBARA II and AMALIAT MOTACHED KARDAN.

Sentinel

This week the Sentinel of Number 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron flew 4 planned missions and continued to provide dynamic Near Real Time reporting.

Comms Fleet

The HS 125 and BAe 146 aircraft of Number 32 (The Royal) Squadron are presently based in the Gulf. During the week the aircraft carried a number of VVIPs, VIPs and other personnel.

VC10

A VC10 of Number 101 Squadron is based in the Gulf supporting coalition aircraft on Op HERRICK. During the week the aircraft delivered over 150 tons of fuel during air-to-air operations.

OPERATION TELIC

Hercules

The Hercules C-130J aircraft of 901EAW moved over 38 tons of freight 128 passengers. These missions were flown in support of both Op TELIC in the Gulf and Op HERRICK in Afghanistan.

On 18 Aug the Hercules provided aid relief for the flood victims of Pakistan by delivering 11 tons of urgently needed supplies on behalf of the Department for International Development; the Department deals with global relief and development on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government. The Hercules was loaded and flown from Dubai in the UAE to Islamabad in Pakistan.

Editor: Sqn Ldr S N Moore.

Photography:Cpl Ashley Keates.