OPERATION HERRICK – AFGHANISTAN

The RAF Fire Section at Bastion Airfield this week received an award from AOC 83 Expeditionary Air Group, Air Cdre Tony Barmby, for meritorious service. The Fire Fighters, forming the RAF Fire and Rescue Incident Response Team (IRT) were heavily committed, during September, to a number of incidents during which lives were saved. It is not well known that RAF Fire Fighters have a role deploying from air bases to conduct rescue missions.

On 4 Sep 08 Operation OQAB TSUKA, a Task Force Helmand mission to deliver a new hydroelectric turbine to the Kajaki Dam, was drawing to a close as the final forces were extracting themselves. In the evening a 13 Close Support Logistics Regiment WMIK vehicle, part of one of the final convoys, suffered a mine strike on Highway One in Maywand. Three casualties were trapped in the vehicle. The Joint Operation Cell (JOC) at Bastion requested the RAF Fire and Rescue Incident Response Team (IRT) to assist. Under the command of Cpl Kerry, who had only been in theatre for 4 days, the 3-man IRT reported to the IR Chinook. Equipped as an infanteer and carrying another 50kg each of specialist tools which included cutting saws, hydraulic vices and electricity generators. The Team then deployed directly into the heart of a live ‘Troops in Contact’, described on the ground at the time by seasoned soldiers as ‘hostile’. As the firemen arrived on the ground an AH-64 Apache was providing covering fire with 30 mm cannon overhead. Unflinching in unfamiliar surroundings, and not without a degree of personal danger, the IRT assisted the Medical Emergency Response Team to extract and recover the 3 casualties from the badly mangled vehicle to the relative safety of the helicopter. This was successfully achieved, with personnel returning back to Bastion 2 hours after receipt of the initial call-out.

Later that evening, nine minutes after the first call, the JOC requested a second IRT, this time to assist with the Post-Crash Management of an incident involving an Apache helicopter near Musa Qalah. The helicopter, armed and fully fuelled, had crashed on take-off. The crew was safe and no fire had been reported, but there was an imperative to make the aircraft safe and set in train the recovery process; this was a task for which RAF Firemen are well prepared. Assistance was provided to the Joint Helicopter Force Incident Officer, while the specialist equipment to deal with man-made fibres in the Apache was corralled and made ready. The hastily generated second IRT also received some rapid briefings on immediate actions required upon arrival at the helicopter. In the event, the ground situation was deemed unsafe overnight, and the second IRT was not deployed until first light the next day. The Team’s subsequent performance on arrival at the crash scene did; however, draw praise from those tasked with overseeing the recovery operation. Whilst the two IRTs were being deployed, a UK C-17 carrying personnel was making an approach to land at Bastion. It is a notable feat that every need was met; lives were saved, the recovery of a valuable aircraft was commenced and the air-bridge continued uninterrupted. For their bravery, tenacity and commitment, the Fire Section, under the command of WO Trafford, were honoured to receive this award, delivered in person by the Air Cdre.

The C-130 Force has continued to work tirelessly moving personnel and materiel around Afghanistan, nearly 2900 passengers and 375 Tonnes of freight alone this week. Air Drop missions continued delivering vital supplies to numerous Forward Operating Bases where our land forces are stationed. The Harrier Force, employed in its Tactical Reconnaissance role has been gathering images for the Coalition and processing carried out by Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing. However, with its flexible capability, the Harriers were also tasked to support ‘Troops in Contact’ by demonstrating ‘shows of force’ and effectively deterring the enemy from engaging friendly forces without having to drop weapons.

OPERATION TELIC – IRAQ

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox MP visited Basrah International Airport and was hosted by members of 903 EAW. Dr Fox was briefed on the activities conducted by Service personnel at the base, and progress on the Airport. Dr Fox commented on how impressed he was with the redevelopment of Basrah International Airport. The second Flight Safety meeting – now held monthly – was co-chaired by the CO of 903 EAW and the Iraqi Airport Operations Manager, demonstrating joint commitment to a fully operational commercial Airport. Meanwhile, civil aircraft activity at the Airport continues at a good pace commensurate with the infrastructure improvements.

Working closely with the Iraqi Army, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment has commenced patrols this week to maintain security local to the Airport. These joint patrols with Iraqi colleagues have complemented the work carried out by the British Army Military Transition Teams in mentoring and training.

Providing Close Air Support to land forces in Iraq, the Tornado GR4 Force has supported ‘Troops in Contact’ and has continued to gather hundreds of images in its intelligence gathering role. This week, 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ has begun to prepare for handover to 31 Squadron from RAF Marham in Norfolk, which marks the end of the current tenure of RAF Lossiemouth based squadrons on 901 EAW. ‘The Dambusters’ have started to reflect on a very successful period of operations and look forward to fresh challenges in Afghanistan next year.

Overall, a rewarding and challenging week for RAF personnel deployed in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Photographs: RAF.

Header Image: Coalition Movers work together in the Middle East.

Image 1: RAF Fire Fighters with cutting gear

Image 2: RAF Fire Fighters training with their cutting gear

Image 3: Troops embark on to a RAF Chinook helicopter

Image 4: Ground Crew marshall in a 617 Squadron Tornado GR4

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery.