OPERATION HERRICK – AFGHANISTAN

This week the C-130 Hercules Force once again demonstrated their flexibility and skills by delivering an emergency Airdrop of Halal rations to a patrol base near to Nad-e-Ali, Helmand Province. ISAF Land Forces had been stationed there since August and had encountered an enduring period of enemy activity. As a result they had already sustained several casualties. After some time, re-supply to the base was becoming more difficult due to the enemy digging up the road and attempts to attack support helicopters with RPG and small arms fire. Afghan National Army Forces stationed at the base were coming to the end of Ramadan and were running low on supplies. The C-130 Force responded via emergency Airdrop, delivering vital Halal rations, fresh water and supplies in a situation where other options – helicopter or combat logistic patrol – were deemed both significantly riskier at the time. The troops from Task Force Lashkar Gah conveyed their heartfelt thanks to personnel of 904 EAW and the C-130 Force who had planned and delivered quickly the accurate Airdrop, and not without some risk. This allowed the Task Force to get back on the ‘front foot’, allow some badly needed rest and press on with their operations.

The rotation of Land Forces, or ‘Relief in Place’ has continued with 3 (Commando) Brigade Royal Marines. Much of the C-130 Hercules tasking was in support of moving personnel and materiel. This week alone, over 2000 passengers and 400 Tonnes of freight were moved in addition to regular Airdrop missions. The Harrier Force of Naval Strike Wing have been busy flying a vast number of missions, deterring enemy aggression by responding to ‘Troops in Contact’ and providing hundreds of images for analysis by Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing (TIW). This week, TIW has worked hard to process images for Coalition customers in addition to its usual tasking. No 1 Air Control Centre based at Bastion Airfield has controlled nearly 1000 events in the Air Battlespace this week, including ‘Troops in Contact’, Medical Evacuation and Airdrops.

OPERATION TELIC – IRAQ

This week 903 EAW has been busy planning jointly with Basrah International Airport (BIA) staff to support pilgrims travelling on the Hajj or Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. This activity coincided with a successful Iraqi and UK airport emergency planning exercise, which has now enabled the production of the BIA Emergency Plan. These actions now complete the initial requirements for official airport documentation to be completed in time for the official handover of the Airport.

Whilst locals were celebrating the Islamic festival of Eid, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment continued with their patrols, visiting and talking with the village elders and keeping an eye on security. The RAF Police have conducted foot patrols this week to ensure Airport security is maintained and as a result commercial activity has progressed well. The Airport handled this week 23 passenger aircraft and 5 cargo aircraft.

617 ‘The Dambusters’ returned to RAF Lossiemouth this week with 31 Squadron from RAF Marham returning to 901 EAW as the resident Tornado GR4 Force. 31 Squadron has been busy this week in its intelligence-gathering role, equipped with the RAPTOR reconnaissance pod. The Tornado also provided ‘overwatch’ for an operation to capture a senior militia leader in Iraq, a significant success for the Coalition effort. Airborne refuelling support was called in and supplied by the VC-10 and Tristar aircraft that were also tasked to deliver fuel to a variety of Coalition fast jets.

A rewarding week overall for the RAF deployed on operations. The positive effects of Air Power were felt on the ground, with our Coalition Land Forces benefiting from a variety of activities conducted by highly capable airmen and women.

Photographs: RAF.

Header Image: 31 Squadron Ground Crew perform pre-sortie checks

Image 1: C-130 Hercules lands in the Middle East

Image 2: No 1 Air Control Centre (1 ACC) controlling the Battle space

Image 3: A Postie delivers the well loved mail in the Middle East

Image 4: 31 Squadron Ground crew prepares a RAPTOR pod for flight (opens in new window)

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery