OPERATION HERRICK
Even with one aircraft unavailable for much of the week undergoing engineering work, the Hercules of 904 EAW still had a busy 
week. In total, almost 2800 passengers and over 300 tonnes of freight were transported. Over the week a number of injured personnel were carried, 2 of whom were critically injured Afghan nationals. One crew also had the sad duty of assisting with the repatriation of the body of a UK serviceman who had been killed in action. Included in the freight were 2 CVR(T) tracked armoured vehicles being delivered to the British Army. The engineering team demonstrated their metal by refitting a flap assembly to one aircraft. Despite the soaring temperature and no means of cooling the area, the flap was fitted in the minimum time; liberal applications of sun screen and plenty of cold water assisted the activity. That night the crew had finished their 
tasking and were returning to their accommodation when they received a call to transport a passenger that urgently needed to return to the UK for compassionate reasons. They returned to their aircraft and transported the serviceman to a waiting C-17.
In a week that saw the arrival of the Tornado GR4 aircraft that will relieve them, the Harriers of 904 EAW successfully completed their usual mix of Close Air Support and Tactical Reconnaissance missions. Early in the week two Harriers were tasked to support friendly forces who were receiving enemy fire and were awaiting the 
medical evacuation of some casualties. The Harriers performed 2 Shows of Force to deter further enemy activity. Over the week the Harrier supported numerous patrols of Friendly Forces and convoys providing overwatch; in total 6 Shows of Force were undertaken. Also, two Shows of Presence were conducted in support of an Afghan National Police patrol. Within days of arriving in Theatre the Tornado GR4s of 904 EAW were flying mixed missions with the Harriers. On their very first trip they were tasked in support of a Friendly Forces patrol that was taking enemy fire; the Harrier dropped a weapon. Towards the end of the week a mixed team of Harriers and Tornados were tasked to support a vehicle patrol who were receiving enemy fire. The aircraft conducted reconnaissance to identify the location of enemy firing points. They passed their information to a UK Apache attack helicopter who successfully suppressed the enemy allowing the patrol to withdraw. On the engineering front the weather also played a part for the Harrier team; damage from hailstones required rectification.
The comms fleet carried a total of 19 passengers around Theatre
The Tristar of 902 EAW flew 4 times this week giving over 130 tonnes of fuel to Coalition aircraft.
OPERATION TELIC
Tasking for the Hercules of 901 EAW is significantly up on last week caused in part by the final efforts to clear equipment following the end of the mission by UK combat troops. Included in the freight were 2 Atlas aircraft loading vehicles that were being returned to the UK. The weather tried its best to curtail several sorties this week with both thunderstorms and dust storms; the latter also giving the engineers the onerous task of cleaning numerous filters on the aircraft. In all, almost 200 tonnes of freight and over 450 passengers were moved.
Images: Cpl Scott Robertson/Cpl Kryssy Lees, RAF.
Header Image: A Harrier over KAF.
Image 1: C17 Arrival, loading and unloading.
Image 2: IV (AC) Harrier Squadron personnel working on the Harrier aircraft and preparing them for flights. Photograph Sgt Chris Halton RLC.
Image 3: 63 Squadron RAF Regiment QRF.
Image 4: The Drawdown of Comms.