Op Herrick

A quieter week in the ground campaign provided some much needed respite for the air and ground crews of the Hercules of 904 EAW. Early in the week, one aircraft travelled out of Afghanistan to pick up passengers from another airfield in the Gulf region while other aircraft transported a number of stretcher patients and their medical escorts. The Hercules movements team had an interesting few hours mid week with a quad pallet - a string of 4 standard aircraft pallets that are joined to allow movement of longer loads. A quad pallet was required to transport a number of helicopter rotor blades; unfortunately, the normally unwieldy quad pallet became wedged in the aircraft. It took some time for the movers to unload the aircraft. The same night, another aircraft transported a number of troops from a coalition partner nation. In all, the Hercules transported over 2550 passengers and almost 220 tonnes of freight. Highlight of the week for the Hercules engineering team was the change of a nose undercarriage leg.

The slower tempo of the ground campaign this week has also resulted in a steadier week for the crews of the 904 EAW Tornados although the majority of their flying has again been in support of Operation Panther’s Claw. At the start of the week a Tornado pair provided overwatch for a patrol of Mastiff vehicles, searching the route ahead of the vehicles. A second pair conducted a Show of Force in support of a patrol who were receiving small arms fire. The following day, Tornados provided overwatch to a patrol of Afghan National Security Forces being mentored by a partner coalition nation as they patrolled through a village. Mid week, a civilian helicopter tragically crashed; Tornados provided overwatch for RAF Firefighters who responded to the incident. Coincidentally, the same day the Firefighters were collectively presented with an RAF Commendation for their selfless dedication supporting medical teams; their response to this incident and their willingness to volunteer for tasks such as this is a testament to the worthiness of the award. Also midweek, Tornados were tasked to support a patrol that had suffered a strike from a roadside bomb; a Show of Force was carried out to deter further enemy action while the patrol extracted themselves. A later pair of Tornados carried out a Show of Presence in support of an Afghan National Police patrol that was receiving small arms fire. The following day, another Show of Force was conducted to prevent enemy interference at the start of a convoy move. In all 4 Shows of Force and 2 Shows of Presence were conducted. The Tristar of 902 EAW flew 4 sorties and dispensed over 120 tonnes of fuel to Tornado and other Coalition aircraft. The Comms Fleet transported a total of 15 passengers.

Op Telic

Tasking for the Hercules of 901 EAW remains at a reduced level. In total, the Hercules transported over 350 passengers and almost 86 tonnes of freight. One aircraft challenged the engineering team when it developed multiple faults while away from its main base. Spares were dispatched and the aircraft was quickly brought back on line.