MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (116/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 3
June 2009
There can be few
RAF units with a finer operational record than No 101 Squadron. In
service from the Somme to Suez, Berlin to Baghdad, in Malaya, the
Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, 101 Squadron has endured tragedy
and sacrifice while carving more than its fair share of glory.
Originally a night bomber squadron, formed on the 12 July 1917 at
South Farnborough, the Squadron it was reformed on 1 May 1984 as
an Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) Squadron at RAF Brize Norton in
Oxfordshire, flying the VC10 K2 AAR tanker aircraft.
In August 1990 Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait saw 101
Squadron VC10 tankers rapidly deploy in support of RAF combat
aircraft to the Gulf.
By January 1991 all nine 101 Squadron VC10 tankers were based in
Saudi Arabia. Op DESERT STORM commenced at 16 Jan 1991 and five
VC10s launched from King Khalid Airport (Riyadh) in Saudi Arabia
that night in support of RAF Tornado GR Mk1s.
Today some of those who served on the squadron during Op DESERT
STORM are still there or have returned
The Allied Air Offensive against Iraqi targets commenced at
around midnight with substantial RAF participation. It continued
throughout the day with Tornado GR1 and Jaguar aircraft flying
attack missions against Iraqi targets. Tornado F3 aircraft mounted
a continuous combat air patrol close to the Saudi/Iraqi/Kuwait
borders. Victor and VC10 aircraft provided air to air refuelling
facilities. Nimrod aircraft flew sorties in support of naval
operations in the Persian Gulf. All the aircraft returned safely
with the exception of two Tornado GR1s. The Tornado GR1s
successfully delivered JP233, 1000lb bombs and ALARM missiles for
the suppression of enemy air defences. The Jaguars delivered
1000lb bombs.
The scene was set for the start of 101 Squadron's support to
nearly 19 years of operations
In total 101 Squadron flew 381 AAR missions during the DESERT
STORM Gulf War air campaign, refuelling British, French,
Australian, Canadian and American aircraft.
Between 1992 and 1997, it flew over 1200 sorties supporting
Operation WARDEN missions over Northern Iraq. In May 1997 the
Operation WARDEN detachment was redeployed from Incirlik in Turkey
to Muharraq in Bahrain in support of Operation JURAL (later
Operation BOLTON) missions over Southern Iraq. Tensions began to
build in the Gulf as Saddam Hussein tested the will of the allied
coalition and in December 1998 101 Squadron crews supported the
Operation DESERT FOX air strikes on Iraqi air defence targets.
The new Millennium brought new threats, and the crisis shifted
back to Iraq in 2003 and 101 Squadron crews were heavily involved
in the Operation TELIC invasion and final overthrow of Saddam
Hussein's regime. The considerable AAR experience of 101
Squadron crews at this time, gained over 12 years of continuous
deployment in the Middle East, paid dividends with a 100% sortie
success rate.
Despite sandstorms and damage from hostile fire, 101 Squadron
crews also helped evacuate over 1000 casualties to hospitals in Cyprus.
The then Air Commodore (now Air Vice Marshall (AVM)) Mike Harwood
summarised people's feelings well:
"As an airman you
always want to do more if you can but all the time you're
trying to find better ways to do things. We've learned to
innovate because if you don't, you will lose. Even with a
small amount you eek it out, and its terrific watching what all
the characters do with what they have."
"Each role that we perform, from command and control to
Intelligence gathering, air transport, the tankers, strike forces,
all sorts of different types of aeroplanes, its one hell of a
challenge. I think we contribute enough; if we could do more we
would, but we do what we must."
The successful conclusion of the Coalition efforts in Iraq in
2003 did not mean an end to the tanker force's contribution
in the Middle East. Indeed, 101 Squadron would continue to
maintain a footprint in the Middle East, providing AAR support for
missions over Iraq (Operation TELIC) and over Afghanistan
(Operation HERRICK). Two VC10 aircraft were left in the Gulf and,
by 2005, those aircraft and crews had moved to Al Udeid Air Base
to continue their mission. With Tornado GR4s and other Coalition
would-be receivers in daily action over the skies of Iraq, demand
for refuelling remained understandably high.
The more recent tempo of operations and role of the VC10 in the
Middle East are explained by one of the many VC10 Detachment
Commanders that have undertaken the role at Al Udeid. Squadron
Leader Andy Scott, a flight engineer by trade and a man who took
part in the very first 101 Squadron missions in Operation GRANBY
gives an insight into the current 101 Squadron role in theatre.
He said: "We're here primarily to support the Tornado
GR4s but we also refuel US Navy aircraft from the carrier ships -
it's an important job because without the air to air
refuelling the (Tornado) guys couldn't stay on station for
very long, which means they would have to keep landing and
refuelling and that would give them a lot less time to carry out
their tasks supporting the guys on the ground."
Sqn Ldr Scott said: "101 Squadron have actually had aircraft
in the Gulf since 1990, either supporting the northern and
southern no fly zones when we were involved in that, and since the
conflict in 2003 we've been out here continuously supporting
coalition aircraft."
The recent draw down of British forces in Iraq has posed a
question mark over whether the VC10 will continue to maintain a
presence in the Middle East. The view of 101 Squadron is best
summarised by that of its present Commanding Officer, Wing
Commander Steve Lushington.
He said: "The last 18 years have shown the incredible
capability and versatility of the VC10 force. Circumstances
naturally change; we stand ready to provide our world renowned
service and go to wherever it is required. We look forward to the
future and hope to further contribute to the illustrious and
enviable record of 101 Squadron."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. In the UK all VC10 aircraft are based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
2. For stills and imagery of the VC10s please go to http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
3. For further information please contact MOD Press Office 020
7218 3254 or 020 72187950