Mr Rammell
applauded the efforts of the Harrier Force. He said:
“Over the past five years Joint Force Harrier has played a
crucial role in Afghanistan, flying thousands of sorties to
provide vital Close Air Support and reconnaissance information.
Joint Force Harrier has made a significant and acclaimed
contribution to coalition air operations and all those personnel
involved can be proud of their many achievements.
“As they now hand over their responsibilities to the Tornado GR4
force, I am delighted to welcome the men and women of Joint Force
Harrier back to the UK for a well-earned and deserved break from
operations.”
The Joint Force Harrier fleet is a combined Royal Air Force and
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm unit that first deployed to Kandahar,
Afghanistan in May 2004 in support of the NATO led International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Since then the Harrier Force has
flown in excess of 22,000 hours on a total of over 8,500 sorties
mainly supporting ground troops in the southern province of
Helmand.
As well as flying ‘show of force’ and reconnaissance missions the
Harriers were most noted for their very successful Close Air
Support to ground troops. Fitted with rockets and a range of
guided bombs the Harriers flew over 2,000 Close Air Support
missions during the deployment.
Commenting on five years of high intensity war-fighting the RAF
Cottesmore Station Commander and Harrier Force Commander, Group
Captain Ken McCann said:
“I must pay tribute to the outstanding and unflinching
contribution the men and women of Joint Force Harrier have
consistently delivered in providing peerless Close Air Support
during this extended period. The Harrier Force has undoubtedly
saved the lives of countless personnel, service and civilian, on
the ground throughout the country – a magnificent effort.”
The Officer Commanding 1(F) Squadron, Wing Commander Dave Haines,
described the impact the Harriers had on the enemy:
“Taliban fighters would flee in terror when they heard the
deafening roar of Harrier jets giving shows of force when the
troops were under fire.”
On Close Air Support he added:
“After ensuring we’re not going to harm civilians, we can fire
our missiles from such a distance that the insurgents don’t even
know we’re there; sometimes the last thing they hear is the crack
of a missile’s sonic boom before it hits.”
1. For further information on RAF Cottesmore please go to: www.raf.mod.uk/rafcottesmore
2. For the specification of a Harrier GR9 aircraft
please use the link: www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/harriergr9.cfm
3. For the history of 1(F) Squadron, the oldest squadron in the
RAF please go to:
www.raf.mod.uk/rafcottesmore/aboutus/1squadron.cfm
4. The Harrier GR9 used the following munitions during Operation
Herrick: Paveway IV, Paveway II, Enhanced Paveway II, Enhanced
Paveway II+ and CRV7 Rockets. Only the minimum amount of force was
employed on missions, starting with an overflight, escalating to
CRV-7 rockets and finally precision guided bombs only when
absolutely necessary.
5. The Joint Force Harriers have now been replaced in Afghanistan
by RAF GR4 Tornado aircraft. 12(Bomber) Squadron based at RAF
Lossiemouth, Morayshire in Scotland.
6. Images are available to download at www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
For further information please contact:
Squadron Leader Paula Willmot
Engagement Media &
Communications Officer
Joint Force Harrier
Royal Air Force
Cottesmore
Oakham
Rutland
LE15 7BL
TEL: 01572
812241 ext 7464
CTS-BSWMCO@mod.uk
Mr Ed Marshall
Media and Communication
HQ Air
Command
RAF High Wycombe
Bucks
HP14 4UE
Tel: 01494
496132
Email: edward.marshall528@mod.uk