Gaz ED
4th Aug 2009, 12:02
5th July
For the Tornados of 904 EAW, this week has provided the usual mix of overwatch in support of ground forces and tactical reconnaissance although two missions were directly in support of UK forces engaged in Operation Panthers Claw. At the start of the week one pair of Tornados were tasked to provide overwatch of a patrol moving through compounds; one Show of Force was carried out to assist the Friendly Forces as they advanced. A couple of days later another Show of Force was undertaken in support of NATO forces who were receiving small arms fire. The following day, another friendly patrol was receiving small arms fire and 2 Shows of Force were carried out to allow the patrol to break contact. A third Show of Force was performed when the patrol came under more fire from another compound. At the end of the week a pair of Tornados were called to support ground forces who were receiving accurate and effective fire. A weapon was dropped; the first from a Tornado in Afghanistan.
12th July Much of the flying this week for the Tornados of 904EAW has also been in support of Operation Panthers Claw. Nearly all daytime formations have either been tasked to support the operation or re-tasked once airborne in response to UK units coming into contact with enemy forces in the area. Many missions have involved searching treelines and compounds for enemy presence prior to and during the move of friendly patrols. Unfortunately, a number of others have been required to provide armed overwatch for convoys and foot patrols that have been attacked by roadside bombs; ensuring that the enemy does not intervene while casualties are evacuated. Early in the week, one pair of Tornados was called on to conduct a strafe attack on a number of insurgents in a treeline that were firing on a friendly unit while another was called to attack a number of enemy firing points in open country. Following confirmation that there were no civilians in the area, the Tornados released 3 weapons. Some days later a pair of Tornados provided overwatch for an Afghan National Security Forces patrol while casualties were evacuated and another pair conducted 2 Shows of Force in support of another friendly patrol. Later, an aircraft fired a missile at enemy forces; the first such event for a Tornado in Afghanistan. Later that day, a Tornado, low on fuel, transited to a tanker aircraft to top up. However, on arrival the pilot discovered that the tanker has just become unserviceable and consequently he could not take on fuel. He had no option but to return to base where he landed safely but with minimal fuel left. At the end of the week, a Tornado pair conducting Tactical Reconnaissance were re-tasked to support a UK patrol that had suffered a strike from a roadside bomb. As the patrol was receiving fire, a Tornado conducted a Show of Force. With enemy fire continuing, the Tornado carried out a strafe against identified enemy firing points
19th July
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.
For the Tornados of 904 EAW, this week has provided the usual mix of overwatch in support of ground forces and tactical reconnaissance although two missions were directly in support of UK forces engaged in Operation Panthers Claw. At the start of the week one pair of Tornados were tasked to provide overwatch of a patrol moving through compounds; one Show of Force was carried out to assist the Friendly Forces as they advanced. A couple of days later another Show of Force was undertaken in support of NATO forces who were receiving small arms fire. The following day, another friendly patrol was receiving small arms fire and 2 Shows of Force were carried out to allow the patrol to break contact. A third Show of Force was performed when the patrol came under more fire from another compound. At the end of the week a pair of Tornados were called to support ground forces who were receiving accurate and effective fire. A weapon was dropped; the first from a Tornado in Afghanistan.
12th July Much of the flying this week for the Tornados of 904EAW has also been in support of Operation Panthers Claw. Nearly all daytime formations have either been tasked to support the operation or re-tasked once airborne in response to UK units coming into contact with enemy forces in the area. Many missions have involved searching treelines and compounds for enemy presence prior to and during the move of friendly patrols. Unfortunately, a number of others have been required to provide armed overwatch for convoys and foot patrols that have been attacked by roadside bombs; ensuring that the enemy does not intervene while casualties are evacuated. Early in the week, one pair of Tornados was called on to conduct a strafe attack on a number of insurgents in a treeline that were firing on a friendly unit while another was called to attack a number of enemy firing points in open country. Following confirmation that there were no civilians in the area, the Tornados released 3 weapons. Some days later a pair of Tornados provided overwatch for an Afghan National Security Forces patrol while casualties were evacuated and another pair conducted 2 Shows of Force in support of another friendly patrol. Later, an aircraft fired a missile at enemy forces; the first such event for a Tornado in Afghanistan. Later that day, a Tornado, low on fuel, transited to a tanker aircraft to top up. However, on arrival the pilot discovered that the tanker has just become unserviceable and consequently he could not take on fuel. He had no option but to return to base where he landed safely but with minimal fuel left. At the end of the week, a Tornado pair conducting Tactical Reconnaissance were re-tasked to support a UK patrol that had suffered a strike from a roadside bomb. As the patrol was receiving fire, a Tornado conducted a Show of Force. With enemy fire continuing, the Tornado carried out a strafe against identified enemy firing points
19th July
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.