GR4 Op Update
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GR4 Op Update
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.
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Classifed Reporting????
As these things are usually UK Eyes Conf when they are piped into the Fuhrer Bunker at Northwood, I'm a but surprised to see this here.
Beadwindow???
Beadwindow???
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Available at the RAF website on an internet near you....
RAF Operational Update - Ops Update - Jul 2009
Just thought I'd post as people were asking how Tornado is getting on in Afghan.
Beadwindow - my hoop!
RAF Operational Update - Ops Update - Jul 2009
Just thought I'd post as people were asking how Tornado is getting on in Afghan.
Beadwindow - my hoop!
Calm down, calm down!
No Beadwindow required - its a direct lift from the RAF open source available to Terry Taliban website..
Would have helped if he linked to here, here and here though!
Hand the keys to the Outrage Bus and the Black Omegas back in MT please!
Edit to add : Damn - too slow - my pesky one finger typing!
No Beadwindow required - its a direct lift from the RAF open source available to Terry Taliban website..
Would have helped if he linked to here, here and here though!
Hand the keys to the Outrage Bus and the Black Omegas back in MT please!
Edit to add : Damn - too slow - my pesky one finger typing!
Last edited by Wrathmonk; 4th Aug 2009 at 12:38. Reason: Too slow at typing and searching!
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Grabbers
"My Hoop" was used as an expression of disdain to the Beadwindow shouters out there. I shudder to think of the act of beadwindowing ones' hoop....
I is ded securty conshuss, me...........
"My Hoop" was used as an expression of disdain to the Beadwindow shouters out there. I shudder to think of the act of beadwindowing ones' hoop....
I is ded securty conshuss, me...........
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Seems Gen MacCrystals tight ROE are in effect, judging by the lack of ordinance dropped.
Interesting to see that they've been called to do strafing runs, I bet that the FAC's appreciate that extra option over Harrier?
Interesting to see that they've been called to do strafing runs, I bet that the FAC's appreciate that extra option over Harrier?
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SMT
What stuff shouldn't be in there? Some Tornados did a thing with a thing somewhere? The baddies didn't like it and did a thing back? So we did another thing with another thing?
It is where the defence budget cash is going (as well as the next Naval Cocktail Party Vessel). Shirley it's a good idea for the MoD to tell the taxpayer why we may need xx//yy/zz in the future?
Is it a secret we are in Af******tan?
I still preferred looking at the Admin Clerk with the rack on C5 though.
What stuff shouldn't be in there? Some Tornados did a thing with a thing somewhere? The baddies didn't like it and did a thing back? So we did another thing with another thing?
It is where the defence budget cash is going (as well as the next Naval Cocktail Party Vessel). Shirley it's a good idea for the MoD to tell the taxpayer why we may need xx//yy/zz in the future?
Is it a secret we are in Af******tan?
I still preferred looking at the Admin Clerk with the rack on C5 though.
SMT
Can't see it myself but best you contact this chap then:
RAF Webmaster
Room 65, Lancaster Block
Air Command
RAF High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP14 4UE
or e-mail via here.
Addresses taken from the RAF website before anyone thinks I am releasing a secret address.
There is a couple of bits of info in there that shouldn't be...
RAF Webmaster
Room 65, Lancaster Block
Air Command
RAF High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP14 4UE
or e-mail via here.
Addresses taken from the RAF website before anyone thinks I am releasing a secret address.
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Well...you never know
But perhaps it will be stories like this that might cool the Tornado nay-sayers when comparing it to the Harrier.
(Not knocking the Harrier mates or the plane here)
I still cannot to to grips with the argument that for these type of Ops how having a second pair of eyes in the a/c and working the systems is a bad thing - particularly as there are now such sensors as SNIPER et al which assist with Recce and need watching.
I know I asked on here sometime ago about why Single Seat is "the way forward" - as even with the improved <<Insert name of classified IT systems of your choice>> to reduce to workload - surely a problem shared is also someone who will buy you a drink back at the Mess / Wardroom.
(Not knocking the Harrier mates or the plane here)
I still cannot to to grips with the argument that for these type of Ops how having a second pair of eyes in the a/c and working the systems is a bad thing - particularly as there are now such sensors as SNIPER et al which assist with Recce and need watching.
I know I asked on here sometime ago about why Single Seat is "the way forward" - as even with the improved <<Insert name of classified IT systems of your choice>> to reduce to workload - surely a problem shared is also someone who will buy you a drink back at the Mess / Wardroom.
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I'm so new into the aviation world in terms of experience i'm not quite into Grading yet, so I must ask - Finnpog seems to make sense? It's always struck me that why do, say, Helicopters need two crew or even three for 'grey' Merlin, whilst Harrier only has one, when surely it flies further and performs more crew intensive duties - as Finn mentioned, and that goes double for counter insurgency operations? Is the reason Harrier only has a single seat because of these new systems/the small size of the aircraft?
For ground attack in Afghanistan, even before GR4 went out there wasn't the big twin seat F15 strike eagles the preferred aircraft for CAS? I remember reading in 'Joint Force Harrier' that it got to the point where the OC of the Dutch F16 squadron complained his pilots weren't getting any of the 'good' sorties?
As I say, just looking to expand knowledge.
For ground attack in Afghanistan, even before GR4 went out there wasn't the big twin seat F15 strike eagles the preferred aircraft for CAS? I remember reading in 'Joint Force Harrier' that it got to the point where the OC of the Dutch F16 squadron complained his pilots weren't getting any of the 'good' sorties?
As I say, just looking to expand knowledge.