OPERATION HERRICK – AFGHANISTAN

The Harrier Force has enjoyed a relatively steady week this week. Excellent availability of the aircraft underpinned Naval Strike Wing’s ability to complete both tasked and ad-hoc reconnaissance missions while flexibility has been a key theme with several short-notice changes to tasking occurring daily in response to an ever changing picture on the ground. ‘Troops in Contact’ were a regular occurrence this week, to which the Harrier Force displayed ‘shows of presence and force’ to deter and disperse the enemy from ISAF ground troops. The Reaper UAV continued to provide invaluable reconnaissance support overhead.
Managing the complicated Air Battlespace was No 1 Air Control Centre who controlled over 1800 events this week alone including medical evacuation missions

On 904 EAW, the C130 Hercules Force now consists entirely of the C130J model which is the latest variant of this workhorse. As far as the ‘Relief in Place’ is concerned, most of the inbound and outbound activity of moving passengers and supplies is complete. Air drops have also delivered nearly 80 Tonnes of fuel and rations to ISAF forces positioned in various Forward Operating Bases. Positive feedback has also been received from 42 Commando Brigade staff after a short-notice reinforcement exercise into Bastion Airfield was required. The subsequent withdrawal of the troops was achieved through the successful and innovative ‘cross decking’ of troops between RAF Chinook helicopters and the Hercules.

OPERATION TELIC – IRAQ

The Tornado GR4s from 31 Squadron ‘Gold Stars’ have this week conducted an increased level of reconnaissance missions including sorties into the North of Iraq. Despite challenging weather conditions in Iraq, the Tornado Force has continued to launch missions successfully.. The Squadron, normally based at RAF Marham in Norfolk also hosted a visit by two Norfolk media correspondents. The journalists enjoyed their visit and learned much about the work carried out by the Tornado to help to improve security in Iraq, and the supporting effort carried out by 901 EAW. The flexibility that the RAF’s air assets offer the Coalition was clearly demonstrated this week when bad weather in Iraq resulted in RAF Tornadoes being the only fast air in Iraq for most of the day, supported by RAF VC10 tankers for in-flight refuelling. The Tornadoes were called in at one stage to provide a ‘show of force’ for an American Forward Operating Base that had been attacked by insurgents. The same crew then went on to provide several ‘shows of presence’ to ensure the enemy were dispersed from a casualty evacuation operation. The rapid response time from the placing of the request for support was highly commended and clearly saved lives on the ground.

The C130 Hercules Force of 901 EAW continued with routine tasking moving over 150 tonnes of freight and 2000 passengers. The Force also displayed its flexibility by undertaking additional tasking in support of Op HERRICK to support the ‘Relief in Place’ rotation of British Land Force personnel.

No 5 Force Protection Wing, protecting Basrah International Airport, have continued their patrols in and outside of the base. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment have maintained vigilance outside of the ‘wire’. Regular searches have been conducted whereby a cache of weapons was discovered and seized. The RAF Police Squadron has been ensuring on-base security by conducting vehicle searches of any contractors entering the base. In addition, they have been assisting the local Iraqi Police with training their personnel, with a view to working alongside the Iraqi Security Forces and continuing the good relationship.

Photographs: RAF.

Header Image: VC10 on approach in the Middle East

Image 1: 31 Sqn Tornado GR4's.

Image 2: Hercules Aircraft.

Image 3: 31 Sqn Tornado taxiing.

Image 4: TIW Imagery Analyst at work.

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery