OP HERRICK

It was with deep sadness this week that members of 904 Expeditionary Air Wing were part of the repatriation of 5 paratroopers from Camp Bastion. Private Nathan Cuthbertson, Private Daniel Gamble and Private Charles Murray of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) were killed on Sunday 8 June 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The soldiers were on a routine foot patrol 1km west of their Forward Operating Base in the Upper Sangin Valley when their patrol suffered a suicide improvised explosive device.

Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) were killed on Thursday 12 June 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Early on 12 June 2008, 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company, 2 PARA, was engaged by the Taliban north of their Forward Operating Base in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province. During the exchange of fire, Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty were killed in the face of the enemy amongst their colleagues and friends. A close relationship exists between the RAF’s Wing and Task Force Helmand.

At the request of the Afghan Security Forces, in support of their counter-narcotics operations, the Harrier Force assisted with the destruction of a significant drugs cache in south east Kandahar Province this week. The Harrier force has flown a significant number of close air support missions and several precision munitions were employed.

The C-130 Hercules was involved in a high priority tasking to repatriate 9 Afghan National Army fatalities back to Kabul.

  The Hercules Force moved coalition passengers and freight to and from numerous locations around Afghanistan and conducted 5 Air Drop missions, re-supplying Forward Operating Bases and remote patrols. The full potential of the Hercules’ Air Drop capability was tested when an emergency re-supply of water required by 3 PARA was rigged, loaded and dispatched within a matter of hours.

Additionally, on a separate mission, much needed water, ammunition and rations were dropped to a remote Pathfinder Patrol. The Hercules continued its support to British troops with an aeromedical evacuation cross-loaded to a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and the transportation of a passenger home on compassionate grounds.

The Communications Fleet has flown over 30 legs throughout their area of operations. Of note this week, their passengers included HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, to Kandahar, Afghanistan, to commence his visit to British troops.

OPERATION TELIC

 The TriStar, supported by members of 902 Expeditionary Air Wing, has been dispensing fuel to coalition aircraft over Iraq, including the RAF’s Tornado GR4 and the United States Navy’s F-18 and Prowler aircraft.

Flying close air support missions over Iraq, Tornado GR4 aircraft of 901 Expeditionary Air Wing have also been particularly tested in the tactical reconnaissance role. Fitted with a reconnaissance pod the aircraft were tasked on imagery gathering missions, collecting real-time imagery for data-link to ground stations. Despite challenging weather conditions, the Tornado GR4 has produced numerous new images.

The Air Movements staff based in the Middle East handled double the normal number of passengers, bound for the UK, on Friday when the Op HERRICK airbridge was re-routed at short notice.