Operation HERRICK

Once again, it was a busy week for the Tornado aircraft of 904 EAW. At the start of the week, aircraft were tasked with providing Armed Overwatch of Coalition Operations. Aircraft searched areas of compounds, high ground and areas around patrols, providing valuable feedback to ground commanders. Armed Overwatch patrols increase the Freedom of Manoeuvre for ground patrols and increase their effectiveness in counter-insurgency operations. When an overwatch aircraft makes its presence known to suspicious individuals on the ground, known as a Show of Presence, this is often enough to discourage an insurgent attack on a patrol or convoy. Later that day, a patrol was contacted by small arms fire from a compound. A Tornado aircraft conducted a Show of Force, which suppressed the enemy fire and allowed the patrol to return to their Patrol Base safely. A Show of Force is a more robust way of warning the enemy that an aircraft is able to attack, without the use of weapons and hence no risk of collateral damage to people or property.

The next day, aircraft conducted more armed overwatch for ground patrols and were also tasked with observing Pattern of Life around compounds in the vicinity of the patrols. Pattern of Life survey is an important activity which essentially searches for movements of vehicles or individuals, which may indicate insurgent activity.

In the middle of the week, aircraft were tasked with support of a convoy leaving a Patrol Base and due to suspicious activity and an earlier incident involving insurgents; a Show of Presence was conducted by one aircraft. The Show of Presence successfully discouraged any potential attack and the convoy was able to leave the Base safely. Later, aircraft provided more armed overwatch and search activity and aircraft also conducted a reconnaissance mission using the acclaimed RAPTOR pod. RAPTOR allows very detailed imagery of the ground to be gathered for interpretation and analysis. The data gathered by the pod can be used in many ways but it is a vital tool for ground commanders to use when planning operations, convoys and patrols.

Towards the end of the week, aircraft were tasked to scan routes for convoys checking for possible ambush by insurgents. The surveillance ability of Tornado aircraft using the Litening 3 pod is ideal for this sort of task whilst still providing armed overwatch. Later, in support of a ground forces at a coalition Check Point, two Shows of Presence were conducted to deter a potential attack by a group of suspected insurgents. Tornado aircraft also refuelled from British Tristar aircraft.

At the end of the week, the Tornado aircraft provided armed overwatch, searched the routes ahead of convoys and escorted a British ground patrol. They also carried out more RAPTOR reconnaissance. Later, a British Patrol who had come under fire was supported by a Show of Presence, which successfully suppressed the enemy fire. This wrapped up another successful week for the Tornado Force of 904 EAW.

The Hercules aircraft of 904 EAW moved over 300 tonnes of freight and over 2500 passengers this week. Five air drop missions were also flown to a remote Forward Operating Base and a Patrol Base. Air Drops are proving vital to the mission in Afghanistan, as they reduce the need for convoys and free up helicopter and ground forces to concentrate on counter-insurgency activity.

The Comms Fleet, HS125 aircraft of 901 EAW had a busy week transporting 17 key personnel on vital missions in Afghanistan and the Gulf region.

Despite issues with serviceability of the Tristar aircraft early in the week, the engineers of 902 EAW pulled out all the stops to restore it to operations. In spite of the unserviceability, approximately 100 tonnes of fuel were still delivered to British and coalition aircraft. The return of the aircraft to the Operational Theatre, even after a short gap, was heralded by the coalition aircrews. Their flexibility and skill at delivering fuel in the right place at the right time is a constant source of praise from the coalition aircraft crews. The Tristar aircraft are also renowned for being able to deliver aircraft closer to their next task after an aircraft has refuelled. This is particularly relevant when they are responding quickly to incidents on the ground, such as troops in contact with the enemy.

Operation TELIC

The Hercules aircraft of 901 EAW was again busy this week, delivering approximately 35 tonnes of freight and over 100 passengers in the Gulf region. Although the aircraft is based in the Gulf region, a lot of the work that it does is directly in support of Operations in Afghanistan.

Editor: Sqn Ldr Wood

Photographer: Cpl Steve Bain ABIPP

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2009.