OPERATION HERRICK

Once again, it has been a busy week for the Hercules aircraft of 904 EAW. Passenger numbers were reduced on average at over 2400, but there was an overall increase in freight at over 270 tonnes. The Hercules were heavily involved in the successful changeover of the Dutch Brigade on Operation HERRICK using a Tactical Landing Zone. Of note this week, a Hercules aircraft achieved an excellent result in supporting forward deployed British Forces, when it successfully air dropped supplies to a Forward Operating Base. This activity was praised by ground commanders because it removed the requirement for a Combat Logistics Patrol, which can often be hazardous due to the threat of attack by hostile forces.

The UK Tornado aircraft of 904 EAW continue to make a valuable contribution to operations in many different respects. Personnel from RAF Marham based 31 Squadron 'Goldstars' have taken over operations at Kandahar Airfield and will be in Theatre until early in the new year. Lead elements of 31Sqn arrived at KAFearly in the month with the full Squadron complement up and running by end of the second week of October. Early in the week aircraft were involved in sweeping supply routes and checking for hostile activity. They also provided armed overwatch to foot patrols and other ground forces movements around the Operational Theatre.

On subsequent days, Tornado aircraft performed searches in support of ground forces and then armed overwatch to convoys. Whilst supporting a US convoy that had been attacked with Small Arms Fire and taken casualties, 2 Shows of Presence were carried out. On the same day the aircraft provided armed overwatch and a search of the area around a British Patrol which had come under attack and suffered casualties. Later that day, other Tornado aircraft provided ground search and overwatch for a coalition force foot patrol which had been attacked with small arms fire, and also provided overwatch for a British patrol.

Later in the week, Tornado aircraft provided armed overwatch to a helicopter which had been grounded at a remote landing site and also carried out vital reconnaissance work, which would be utilised for planning operations by British and Coalition ground forces. On the same day, aircraft provided overwatch as a medical helicopter extracted a wounded local national who had been injured by an enemy rocket attack. They also searched the area where the rockets had been fired from, to find the enemy forces responsible. Tornado aircraft also refuelled from a variety of Coalition aircraft including USAF and Armee de l Air tankers.

Towards the end of the week, the Tornado Squadrons made a highly successful and seamless changeover of ground and air crew, with minimal impact on operations. The new Squadron was immediately involved in the thick of operations supporting ground forces with searches of the area of operation and armed overwatch. They also provided a Show of Force which successfully dispersed a hostile crowd threatening a coalition operating base, and went on to provide a Show of Presence in the same area to deter a potential attack from Enemy Forces. The aircraft refuelled from RAF Tristar aircraft. On the same day, other Tornado aircraft conducted a further Show of Presence in an area of enemy activity and provided armed overwatch and ground searches in support of coalition force patrols.

The Comms Fleet aircraft of 901 EAW conducted 5 tasks this week, carrying 13 passengers.

Tristar aircraft of 902 EAW conducted 5 Air to Air refuelling missions and this week supplying over 170 tonnes of fuel to British Tornado Aircraft and other coalition fast-jet aircraft. On 2 occasions aircraft that were refuelled were directly supporting ground forces who were engaged with enemy forces.

OPERATION TELIC

The C-130 Hercules aircraft of 901 EAW has been heavily utilised this week flying 6 tasks and transporting over 40 tonnes of freight and approximately 110 passengers.

Photographer: Cpl Kryssy Lees RAF

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2009.