RAF and Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) Weekly Ops Update 19-25 Sep 11

Attack

The Tornado GR4s of 31 Sqn, operating alongside 904 EAW at Kandahar airfield, spread their wings throughout Afghanistan this week, delivering support to ISAF and Afghan troops in Helmand province and further afield. The imagery capabilities provided by the GR4’s RAPTOR and Litening III pods were used to survey patrol routes and helicopter landing sites in the south west of the country. The Tornado crews also conducted GCAS launches, shows of presence and shows of force in Nangarhar, Kandahar, Nimruz and Helmand provinces, the latter in support of an Afghan National Police patrol in Nad’Ali. Most recently, ISAF troops under attack from insurgents near Nahr-e-Saraj requested support from a Tornado crew overhead, who delivered a strafe attack with the aircraft’s 27mm cannon, successfully suppressing the insurgents.

In a week that saw 39 Sqn maintain unrelenting pressure on insurgents in Helmand province, the Kandahar-based Reapers conducted their 200^th kinetic event since deploying to Afghanistan in Oct 2007. In the course of 3 separate strikes, the Reaper crews continued to demonstrate outstanding skill and tactical awareness, striking moving targets, some travelling at high speed, whilst overcoming challenging terrain to deliver weapons effect and avoid civilian casualties. In addition, they provided over 300 hours of detailed video imagery and other reconnaissance, all contributing to the improving security situation in the area, and transition towards Afghan government control.

ISTAR

Intelligence and Situational Awareness

The Sentinel R1 aircraft of V(AC) Sqn’s detachment to 902 EAW ranged far and wide over Afghanistan this week, providing cutting-edge radar reconnaissance to ground commanders. Working with both RC(North) and the US Army’s 170^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in RC(East), the Sentinel crews were able to use the aircraft’s Ground Moving Target Indication technology to track movement in the area and survey ground routes in the area, in order to better understand the local pattern of life and deny freedom of movement to insurgents.

Despite maintenance challenges introduced by airframe swaps and mechanical problems, the SKASaCs detachment at 903 EAW enjoyed a very successful week, operating alongside the US Marines of the 2^nd Light Armoured Reconnaissance battalion and Regimental Combat Team-5 to provide radar reconnaissance and airborne control in support of interdiction and helicopter assault missions in southern Helmand. One such mission resulted in the seizure of 2200 lbs of heroin, prompting US commanders to comment, “SKASaCs support is invaluable in denying freedom of movement to insurgents and smugglers.”

JHF(A)

Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)

This week has seen the Brigade Reconnaissance Force undertake the first Helicopter Assault Force exploit into Op BOX BURMA in the Ghorak Valley. Some 64 personnel were moved into and out of the area with personnel lift support from Chinook and 2 Apache working as overwatch. This allowed the Brigade Reconnaissance Force troops to investigate a key facilitation node for weapons, narcotics and IED material in the vicinity.

Editor: Flt Lt E A Price

Photography: RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2011