OPERATION HERRICK
Another steady week for the Hercules of 904EAW although a number of short notice changes to the planned tasking plus 
requirements for several additional tasks kept the operations staff on their toes. In all over 2270 passengers and almost 200 tonnes of freight were transported. On one night early in the week blowing dust made life interesting for the crews but did not impact the flying programme. That same night one aircraft transported a number of injured personnel and their accompanying critical care team. The following night a Service person who had to urgently return home for compassionate reasons was transported at short notice out of Theatre to a civilian airport to facilitate onward travel to the UK. For the engineering team, the replacement of a propeller on one aircraft provided some interesting activity.
For the Tornados of 904 EAW, this week has provided the usual mix of overwatch in support of ground forces and tactical reconnaissance although two missions were directly in support of UK forces engaged in Operation Panthers Claw. At the start of the week 
one pair of Tornados were tasked to provide overwatch of a patrol moving through compounds; one Show of Force was carried out to assist the Friendly Forces as they advanced. A couple of days later another Show of Force was undertaken in support of NATO forces who were receiving small arms fire. The following day, another friendly patrol was receiving small arms fire and 2 Shows of Force were carried out to allow the patrol to break contact. A third Show of Force was performed when the patrol came under more fire from another compound. At the end of the week a pair of Tornados were called to support ground forces who were receiving accurate and effective fire. A weapon was dropped; the first from a Tornado in Afghanistan.
The Comms Fleet transported a total of 39 passengers. The Tristar of 902 EAW flew six times and dispensed almost 170 tonnes of fuel to Tornado GR4 and other coalition aircraft.
OPERATION TELIC
The low level of tasking continues for the Hercules of 901 EAW; in all over 350 
passengers and over 70 tonnes of freight were moved. One sortie was worthy of note; an indication of an anti-icing fault caused the captain to abort his take off run. After the fault was cleared the aircraft took off normally. However, shortly after another engine fault caused the shut down of an engine. At that point the crew, sensibly, elected not to push their luck and returned to base. The workload on the engineering team; however, has not reflected the low tasking levels. They have been tested by a number of aircraft faults that have made this week particularly challenging; the intense heat has compounded their discomfort.
Images: Cpl Kryssy Lees, RAF.
Header Image: A BAE 146 aircraft at rest.
Image 1: Roll on freight.
Image 2: Two movers loading aircraft.
Image 3: Starlight.