OPERATION HERRICK – AFGHANISTAN

This week, the Hercules Force of 904 EAW has been busy moving personnel and materiel as part of the 16 Brigade ‘Relief-in-Place’ rotation, a tremendous effort during which over 2700 passengers and 340 Tonnes of freight were transported. In addition, the Force has conducted numerous Air Drop missions delivering food, water and supplies to land forces in Forward Operating Bases. Personnel had the unusual opportunity of meeting members of the Afghan National Police as the Hercules Force transported 150 new graduates of the Police training programme to Kandahar Airfield. It was a satisfying experience for those involved to meet some of the Afghan security forces that they support, every day, on the ground.

The Harrier Force has mainly been involved in Tactical Reconnaissance sorties, whereby they gather imagery for download and processing by the Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing detachment. Hundreds of images are provided weekly in order to satisfy ISAF land forces’ various requests to assist the preparation and conduct of their ‘Intelligence led’ missions.

It was great sadness this week that members of 904 EAW were part of a ceremony for the repatriation of Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O’Donnell GM from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, Lance Corporal Nicky Mason and Private Jason Lee Rawstron of 2nd Batallion The Parachute Regiment. The ceremony was conducted with the customary dignity.

OPERATION TELIC – IRAQ

Medical personnel from 903 EAW were called up as part of an Incident Response Team (IRT) on the RAF Merlin, responding to the tragic US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter crash in the vicinity of Basrah. A Tornado GR4 maintained vigil from above and acted as on-scene incident commander. Whilst it was an extraordinarily sad occasion, the IRT did an excellent job trying to save life. It is with deep sadness that we share the pain of the tragedy with our Coalition comrades.

The Tornado GR4 of ‘The Dambusters’ has continued in its Close Air Support role this week providing ‘Shows of Force’ during a ‘Troops in Contact’ event – called in by friendly land forces to deter enemy aggression. Fitted with the RAPTOR or DJRP reconnaissance pods, the Tornado GR4 Force has continued to produce valuable imagery for data-link to ground stations, despite challenging weather conditions encountered this week.

Tanker support to these operations was supplied by the VC-10, having flown around 500 hours over the last couple of months; these aircraft have been employed supporting both RAF and Coalition aircraft over Iraq. This ensures that the Fast Jets airborne in support of the Iraqi Security Forces can remain on task for significantly greater periods. In addition, the TriStar has been providing air-to-air refuelling for Tornado GR4 aircraft as well as Coalition aircraft over Afghanistan.

903 EAW has been continuing to prepare for the handover of Basrah International Airport to Iraqi civilians. Commercial aircraft operations have maintained steady numbers with passengers routinely visiting the Airport to conduct day-to-day business. Infra-structure projects such as airfield lighting and ground markings are now near completion. The RAF Police have been conducting patrols inside of the airfield and maintaining vehicle check-points for local contractors entering the base, whilst the RAF Regiment, 51 Squadron, have been protecting the airfield from outside of ‘the wire’. All-in-all, improvements to security in and around the site can be felt, leading to greater commercial potential of the Airport.

Overall, a challenging week for RAF personnel on operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Photographs: RAF.

Header Image: Airfield MT refuel a C-130K Hercules.

Image 1: RAF Police taking a well earned break after patrolling.

Image 2: A Harrier and TriStar in the Middle East.

Image 3: A Tornado returns from a mission

Image 4: Basrah International Airport.

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery.