OPERATION HERRICK

The Hercules C130-J aircraft of 904 EAW transported over 550 tonnes of freight and nearly 2000 passengers around the Operational Theatre this week.

The Tornado GR4 aircraft of 904 EAW started the week conducting Armed Overwatch, Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) (roadside bomb) searches and a RAPTOR reconnaissance mission. The aircraft were involved in searching areas of Patrol Bases for insurgent activity and searching for potential IEDs along roads that are main supply routes. The RAPTOR pod carried by Tornado can gather vast amounts of imagery at great range in a very short space of time. The analysis that is carried out on the imagery after the mission is conducted by a Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing detachment and provides a vital planning tool for ground commanders.

The next day an aircraft conducted a Show of Force over insurgents who were firing on a coalition Patrol. The insurgents fled and the Patrol was able to return to its Patrol Base safely. A Show of Force is a frightening display of intent to enemy forces, achieved by flying at low level and high speed over their position. Aircraft also conducted sweep searches of main roads for IEDs, feeding Litening 3 pod imagery back to Tactical Air Controllers on the ground. The full motion video that the Litening 3 pod provides, known as Tactical Reconnaissance, is interpreted by the ground commanders and gives them better situational awareness of potential threats and hazards on the ground.

In the middle of the week, Tornado aircraft conducted further RAPTOR reconnaissance and conducted a Show of Force to chase off potential insurgents who were assessed to be preparing to plant an IED. They also supported various coalition operations using the Litening 3 pod imagery widely for ground forces.

The next day, aircraft supported a convoy of British vehicles leaving a Patrol Base. They provided Armed Overwatch and search of the ground around the vehicles for possible insurgent activity. Later, an aircraft conducted a Show of Presence, which makes potential insurgents aware that an aircraft is on station and that they are being observed. Often, this is sufficient to prevent insurgents from considering hostile action. It also gives the aircraft the opportunity to gather more detailed imagery of the activity on the ground to positively identify insurgent activity and possible intentions. Later, aircraft supported ground forces patrols by searching along roads for potential IEDs and insurgent activity, and also assisted RAF Regiment patrols with searches of the ground around an airfield.

Towards the end of the week, Tornado aircraft conducted a further RAPTOR reconnaissance mission and also supported ground forces who had struck an IED and been attacked by insurgents with Small Arms Fire. They searched for the insurgents in the vicinity of the incident. They also supported a Patrol by searching ahead of their route for potential IEDs and insurgent activity whilst providing Armed Overwatch to their progress. The aircraft stayed with the Patrol throughout their mission and return to the Patrol Base. The Tornado’s finished the week by conducting Armed Overwatch in support of an Afghan National Army Check Point and conducted a Show of Force over a possible insurgent position, which had been assessed as a threat. The Show of Force was successful and no insurgent activity occurred.

This week Bastion Airfield, which is run by 903 EAW in the centre of Helmand Province, coordinated well over 3000 aircraft movements. The airfield is the 5th busiest UK run airport handling nearly 13 000 aircraft movements a month. 903 EAW provides Air Traffic Control, aircraft handling, engineering and aircraft Operations support. The Airfield is becoming increasingly busy and is vital to the increasing flow of troops and equipment in the southern region of Afghanistan. It is an extremely complex and compressed aircraft operating environment, with military and civilian fixed wing and rotary aircraft flying alongside unmanned aerial vehicles. It is regarded as one of the most challenging environments in which an RAF Air Traffic Controller can be employed.

The HS125 and BAE 146 aircraft of the Communications Fleet transported approximately 30 passengers around the Operational Theatres this week. The Communications Fleet provide a vital service to military commanders and VIPs who have to travel long distances in Theatre to carry out their roles.

OPERATION TELIC

The C130-J aircraft of 901 EAW, transported nearly 30 tonnes of freight and over 120 passengers around the Gulf Region this week. The aircraft continue to provide a vital air transport service in support of Operations not only in the Gulf but also Afghanistan.

Editor: Sqn Ldr Woods

Photographer: Cpl Steve Bain ABIPP

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2010.