Attack on Kandahar Airfield
Found this snippet in the latest RAFA "Air Mail" - no mention as far as I can see in the MOD Press Releases of the time and certainly Reid was not questioned on how much of the British effort would have to be expended on protecting the home base during his interview this morning
On 15 October (presumably 2005), a rocket attack by terrorists on the RAF airfield at Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan destroyed one Harrier GR7A jet, and left a second Harrier damaged. The jets were part of a deployment of six Harriers from No 3 Sqn at RAF Cottesmore. One aircraft was being repaired on site with an additional jet being flown out as a replacement. The jets have been utilised on reconnaissance missions and to help Special Forces locate Taliban militants
Is it true that the British/NATO deployment will be relying on Dutch F16s for fixed wing air support, and that the Harriers will return to the UK as the rest of the main force deploys? Have the Dutch signed up to this?