OPERATION TELIC

The Tornado GR4 Force of 901 EAW has demonstrated the flexibility and reach of Air to its fullest this week. Fast Air acts as a deterrent to enemy forces on the ground and therefore minimises casualties. The objective is straightforward: those who wish to oppose legitimate Iraqi government control by the use of illegal force should be aware of the GR4’s presence; we are not bluffing. With multiple ‘Troops in Contact’ events, the Tornado GR4 provided enduring cover this week, reacting to short-notice taskings and Joint Tactical Air Requests from soldiers. Personnel on the ground, engineering and operations support staff were quick to react and prepare the aircraft for their missions.

The use of these assets is promoting stability and progress in Iraq, supporting Iraqi and Coalition ground forces with ‘Shows of Presence’. These ‘Shows of Presence’ are essential to deter the threat of attacks on Basrah International Airport and surrounding areas. The Tornado GR4 also provided Overwatch for an operation to capture a senior militia leader in Iraq, a significant success for the Coalition effort. The RAF has a unit of ‘fighters’ on the ground as well: the RAF Force Protection Wing continuously protects Basrah International Airport, consisting of II Sqn RAF Regiment and the RAF Police, ever alert to the consistent threat from adversaries.

Assisting the Tornado GR4 Force to maintain cover in the Air, vital tanker assets were employed: the VC-10s of 901 EAW and the Tri-Star of 902 EAW were on hand to dispense fuel, whilst airborne, to Fast-Jet aircraft. This extended to the Coalition fleet including AV8B Harriers EA6B Prowler aircraft and US Navy F-18.

OPERATION HERRICK

Controlling the Battlespace in the Air is highly complex, particularly in Afghanistan, where the path to gaining security and stability on the ground is being fought for by International Security Assistance Forces and Afghan Forces, daily. The key enabler of security on the ground is the projection of Air Power to where it is needed. 1 Air Control Centre (ACC) closely manages this Air Battlespace, controlling aircraft engaged in support of Troops in Contact, Airdrops, Medical Evacuations and Intelligence gathering. In all, over 1000 events were controlled by 1ACC this week.

The Reaper UAV’s infa-red sensors were employed this week to target Taliban fighters in order for other Coalition Air Assets to engage them across Afghanistan. The Nimrod MR2 has continued to gather Imagery Intelligence in observing enemy activity to relay their positions to our Forces in Forward Operating Bases.

The C-130 Force has been involved in a variety of taskings this week including numerous Air Drops to deliver water, fuel and rations in support of Pathfinder Patrols and Forward Operating Bases in Helmand Province. The ruggedness and durability of the C-130 has been fully exploited with the extraction of medical evacuation patients to Multi-national medical facilities with speed and efficiency. RAF Aeromedical Teams were involved with the critical care of patients, including 5 Afghan National Army casualties.

The Harrier Force of 904 EAW has been focussed this week on providing capability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance duties over Afghanistan, whilst maintaining an offensive capability. This flexibility allowed the Force to conduct several ‘Shows of Force’ and ‘Shows of Presence’ in addition to being re-tasked in flight to support Troops in Contact.

Summary

Another challenging week on both Operations. As the Economist article stated on 12 June, “By all the main measures - military, political and economic - Iraq is now improving.” There are some who do not want to hear that message; it’s been a long and tough road, but we are getting there. Afghanistan is also an extraordinary challenge – how much more so for those preaching a doctrine of intimidation and repression espoused by the Taliban.

Photographs: Sgt Pete Mobbs, RAF.

Header Image:  C-130J Hercules Taxis In

Image 1:  Tornado Gr4 Pilot Prepares For Next Mission

Image 2:  Tornado Gr4 On Crew In

Image 3:  RAF Aeromed Nurse Attends To Patient On Tristar

Image 4:  C-130 Pilots On Final Descent