OPERATION TELIC

The Tornado GR4s have been extensively tasked in both the Tactical Reconnaissance and Close Air Support roles. Early this week, they conducted 2 Shows of Force in support of Troops in Contact. This allowed our own forces to capture and detain the insurgents, and injured friendly forces to be extracted quickly and safely.

Communications Fleet, employing the newly arrived BAe 146 aircraft, has moved around 50 passengers, including a Sailor returning to the UK for compassionate reasons.

Having flown around 500 hours in the last couple of months, the VC10 tanker aircraft tasking has been split between supporting RAF and coalition aircraft over Iraq. This effort ensures that aircraft employed in support of the Iraqi Security Forces can remain on task for significantly greater periods. In addition, the TriStar has provided Air-to-Air Refuelling to the RAF’s Tornado GR4 aircraft over Iraq.

A tremendous effort from the Hercules C130J detachment has ensured the successful completion of the RIP – Relief in Place, in this instance 4 Mech Brigade handing over to 7 Armoured Brigade. The detachment has transported over 2500 passengers and 450 tonnes of freight this week alone. In addition to the C130 transporting these passengers into and out of Iraq, the RAF Police Airport Security staff, supported by additional staff temporarily deployed from the UK, processed this changeover of personnel.

The RIP is now complete between 11 and 30 Battery (Bty), who provide elements of Force Protection at Basra International Airport (BIA). The outgoing Bty (30 Bty Rogers’s Company) leave BIA, having experienced a period of significant Indirect Fire events, certain in the knowledge that they saved lives.

BIA continues to accept passenger and cargo aircraft with increased frequency; a total of 25 aircraft arrived, compared with less than 20 last week.

II Sqn RAF Regiment activity has been characterised by a significantly increased level of patrol activity as a consequence of the RIP. Additional taskings have included II Sqn RAF Regt supporting a chlorine delivery to Basra’s main water purification plant, ensuring the integrity of the main domestic water supply to the city.

The RAF Police at BIA have supported the change over of personnel manning the Permanent Vehicle Check Points. Their mentoring role changed over the course of 2-3 days to a monitoring role and by the middle of the week they had resumed their normal working patterns.

OP HERRICK

The C130 force has completed numerous Air Drops, dropping water and fresh rations to forward operating bases. In addition, they have moved almost double the number of troops compared with last week, alleviating the need to conduct road moves. Additional taskings have included an airborne re-task to move an Afghan National Army patient.

Reaper continues to demonstrate its impressive array of capabilities, flying very long missions, always closely integrated with those on the ground.

The Harrier Force has been heavily involved in providing both kinetic and non-kinetic Air effects, primarily in support of Troops in Contact.

904 Expeditionary Air Wing attended a moving ramp ceremony for Marine Dale Gostic, of  3 Troop Armoured Support Company, Royal Marines, before his repatriation to the UK. Marine Dale Gostick was serving as a Viking operator when he was killed in action at the Sangin crossing of the Helmand River, Southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Sunday 25 May 2008.

Photographs: MOD

Image one: An RAF Tornado GR4 receives fuel from a VC10 aircraft tanker.

Image two: The RAF Regiment on patrol.

Image three: 1 Sqn RAF Regiment prepare to leave their mark at Kandahar Airfield.

Image four: RAF Regiment personnel, from No 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, rehearse quick-reaction drills at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.