OPERATION TELIC

The Tornado GR4 squadron, part of 901 EAW has rotated this week, with 12 (Bomber) Squadron returning to RAF Lossiemouth and replaced by 617 Squadron. Tasking has continued seamlessly over Iraq with the Tornado Force providing Close Air Support and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations. Hundreds of images have been captured by the Tornado in its Reconnaissance role, for processing by the TIW detachment in the Middle East. The Tornado Force has proven again their ability to generate additional aircraft at very short notice, to fly missions in support of Iraqi and Coalition ground forces.

The C-130 Force has continued to fly essential re-supply missions throughout the Middle East moving over 1400 passengers and 300 Tonnes of freight this week. The Communications Fleet, covering Operations HERRICK and TELIC also conducted passenger movements, ensuring VIPs and passengers arrived on time and fresh for their arduous programmes thereafter.

The Tanker Fleet has continued successfully with all its routine tasking this week. The VC-10 has provided fuel to Tornado GR4 and Coalition aircraft. The TriStar of 902 EAW has completed Operation TELIC tasking in addition to the missions flown in support of the Afghanistan effort. This week it has refuelled Tornado GR4, US Navy F-18 and Prowler aircraft.

903 EAW at Basrah International Airport has continued to implement and oversee progress, in the last week 26 civilian passenger and cargo aircraft have been handled at the Airport. This includes the movement of over 1500 passengers in and out and our Minister Armed Forces (Min(AF)) was even able to enjoy a comparison between this location in Iraq with his home airport of Coventry!

OPERATION HERRICK

Members of 904 EAW at RAF Bastion were part of a moving repatriation ceremony for two British Army comrades who were killed in Northern Helmand. Corporal Jason Stuart Barnes from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, was killed on 22 July 2008. He had been driving a Vector ambulance vehicle, aiding the evacuation of a casualty, when it hit a suspected improvised explosive device. Lance Corporal Kenneth Michael Rowe of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, also attached to 2 PARA, died on 24 July 2008. LCpl Rowe and his dog, Sasha, lost their lives in a contact with the enemy whilst conducting a search operation.

The C-130 Hercules Force has been busy this week conducting NATO International Security Assistance Force tasking alongside national work. In particular the Hercules was called upon to assist with the Dutch Forces ‘Relief-in-Place’, by moving passengers and freight to the required locations throughout Afghanistan. The Hercules also carried out numerous Air-Drop missions to re-supply Forward Operating Bases, Pathfinder Patrols and an Afghan National Army Task Force with vital supplies.

No 1 Air Control Centre has provided control of the Airspace, over 1000 events in fact, including medical evacuations and ‘Troops in Contact’. The Harrier Force was called in to support several ‘Troops in Contact’, on several occasions utilising so-called ‘Shows of Force’. This coercive manoeuvre provides an adversary the choice of melting quietly away or facing up to the other options the Harrier has to offer. We use lethal force only when we must. Many of our potential enemies are given plenty of opportunity to realise that ‘there is a better way’ than the violence and intimidation that they bring to the neighbourhood. It’s not just about ‘meeting force with force’ therefore, it is about facing up to Taleban extremism with courage and a rule of law that respects human rights as well as responsibilities (as provided by the central government within Afghanistan).

The Harrier has excelled in its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance role, the Nimrod completed this Intelligence picture alongside our Reaper, together providing hour after hour of valuable material. The Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing (TIW) are in the thick of the analytical work required, providing their images and thoughts to a variety of customers. Time after time, this just brings home one of those fundamental truths: there is no point doing anything unless you have Intelligence underpinning those decisions and investing in high-quality ‘exploitation’ systems is absolutely essential.

904 EAW was pleased to host the visit by Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy and Com (Air), Air Marshal Sir Barry Thornton, this week,on their final leg of their operational-theatre visit. The party visited both Kandahar Airfield and RAF Bastion, soaking up the wonderfully positive mood that exists out here, and taking away plenty of evidence for strengthening our hand in debates back home!

Photographs: RAF.

Header Image: Delivering a bomb to the Aircraft

Image 1: Hercules lands in the Middle East

Image 2: Refuelling

Image 3: Members of the RAF Regt on patrol in the local area

Image 4: Pilot prepares to take off in a Harrier

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery