OPERATION HERRICK

The Hercules Detachment has had a productive albeit quieter than normal week with a mix of routine tasking, Air Dispatch and one short notice sortie generated in the wake of a suicide attack on Spanish soldiers in Herat which was touched upon in last week’s report. Following the attack, an informal approach to the Hercules Detachment was received for the emergency transportation of blood to Herat. A C-130 was immediately re-tasked and deployed in short-order with both the blood and a UK AEROMED Team. The C-130 spent some 3 hours on the ground at Herat waiting for the casualty’s condition to stabilise during which time the blood was successfully administered. The casualty was subsequently successfully recovered to KAF Hospital. The late notice mission to support this emergency proved the flexibility of the team and the urgency with which UK forces can react when required; the aircraft landed at Herat just over 2 hrs after 904 EAW first heard about the mission. Although quieter than normal in terms of tasking the C130 Fleet still moved over 1700 passengers and around 250 tonnes of freight.

For the Harriers of Naval Strike Wing it has been a relatively quiet week across Afghanistan, despite numerous small-scale operations being conducted. The usual range of reconnaissance and close air support tasks were flown with shows of force being undertaken when necessary. For one pilot, a landmark moment was achieved when he flew his 200th mission on Op HERRICK which is the highest number amongst Joint Force Harrier pilots; this is an outstanding contribution.

904 EAW’s imagery analysis specialists from Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing continued to provide invaluable support to the ongoing initiative to search for improvised explosive devices and weapon caches. The Predator unmanned aerial vehicles flew on several occasions providing both a reconnaissance capability and an ‘’overwatch’’ function for troops on the ground. The efforts of these 2 specialist agencies contribute significantly to safety of both coalition forces and Afghan citizens.

Number 1 Air Control Centre, which is a forward-deployed element of 904 EAW at Camp Bastion, continued to provide control of the airspace in their area of responsibility. This vital support function Controls air assets in support of a range of activities such as medical evacuation, air drops and support to troops who are engaging insurgent elements. Sadly, one task supported was the repatriation of Rifleman Rai of 2 Royal Gurkha Regiment who was killed in action while 3 days later the same task was undertaken for 2 Royal Marines who were also killed in action. These tasks are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by our forces in theatre.

OPERATION TELIC

The aerial refuelling assets, namely the VC10s of 901 EAW and the Tristars of 902 EAW between them dispensed over 200 tonnes of aviation fuel to fast jets. Among the Tristar’s customers this week were F18 Hornets and Grumman EA6B ‘’Prowlers’’. The multi-national nature of the coalition is such that our tanker crews can expect to fuel a wide range of other nations’ aircraft as well as those from the RAF.

On a more general note, across the region members of the RAF observed 2 minutes silence at 1100hrs local time on the 11th day as part of the Remembrance Day activity widely supported in the UK and throughout the world. Of particular note was the undertaking of 902 EAW personnel who provided the Guard of Honour to greet VIPs at an Omani Embassy organised Remembrance Service at which a 902 EAW wreath was laid alongside those from a number of Ambassadors and VIPs. The various other events, both large and small, across the region gave personnel the opportunity to take a short break from busy routines to reflect on those who paid, and continue to pay, the ultimate sacrifice.

Photographs: Sergeant Laura Bibby and Sergeant Pete Mobbs.

Header Image: Pre-flight checks.

Image 1: A Gold Star Tornado refuels.

Image 2: Chocks away.

Image 3: Hercules crew.

Image 4: VC10 Queen of the skies.

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery