RAF and Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) Weekly Ops Update 26 Sep – 2 Oct 11

Attack

The Kandahar-based Reapers of 39 Squadron were engaged in operations that again necessitated Hellfire strikes this week. Displaying considerable tactical restraint, the Reaper crews successfully countered the insurgents’ best efforts to seek cover among civilians and along tree lines. In addition, they provided almost 300 hours of detailed video imagery and other reconnaissance, all contributing to the improving security situation and protecting the populous in the area.

Air Mobility and Lift

The VC 10 aircraft of 101 Squadron, detached to 902EAW, continue to provide direct support to an array of coalition fast jets, with their twin hose configuration being used to great effect to deliver 120 tonnes of fuel. This takes the total fuel delivered for September to 386 tonnes, a capability which enabled coalition fast jets to remain on task for extended periods. On one mission, two pairs of coalition aircraft took turns to receive fuel while the other provided the close air support thereby ensuring that the troops engaged by insurgents had the best cover possible.

ISTAR

Intelligence and Situational Awareness

The Tornado GR4s of 31 Squadron, operating alongside 903 EAW at Kandahar airfield, continue to provide a highly influential presence in Afghanistan this week. They have conducted 10 shows of force across the breadth of Southern Afghanistan from RC West to RC East, not only in support of UK troops but also coalition partners, including American and Italian units. The imagery capabilities provided by the GR4’s RAPTOR and Litening III pods continue to be used to survey patrol routes and helicopter landing sites in the south west of the country.

The Mk7 Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC) helicopters, operating from 903EAW’s base at Camp Bastion, have been pivotal in the successful detention of key insurgents in Helmand Province this week. Whilst supporting the US Marines of the 2^nd Light Armoured Reconnaissance (2LAR) Battalion, the SKASaCs crew detected and tracked a suspicious vehicle using their cutting edge ground moving target indication radar. By sharing their information with other coalition reconnaissance aircraft, 2LAR were able to intercept and capture two experienced insurgent bomb makers.

JHF(A)

Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)

This week saw a JHF (A) Chinook pilot, Flt Lt Duncan DFC being awarded the Air Force Cross in the Operational List 37 for his actions on 04 Dec 10. Flt Lt Duncan was the pilot in charge of the Immediate Response Team responsible for recovering casualties off the ground. Having overcome a number of aircraft technical faults Flt Lt Duncan was on route back to Camp Bastion having collected a prior casualty when he was re-tasked to pick up another casualty. Having dropped off his first casualty at Camp Bastion Flt Lt Duncan redeployed into the ever deteriorating weather conditions, aware that any delay may result in the loss of the second casualty’s sight. On arrival at the casualty’s location Flt Lt Duncan found the Patrol Base under RPG attack and was advised to wait. As time and fuel ran low Flt Lt Duncan decided to land the aircraft under fire and poor weather to collect the casualty. Flt Lt Duncan and his crew’s actions contributed towards saving the casualty’s sight due to the quick treatment they facilitated. Flt Lt Duncan joins an elite fraternity of individuals awarded both the AFC and DFC.

Editor: Flt Lt E A Price

Photography: RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2011.