A Sample Feature From Aviation News

Herrick's Harriers

The UK Joint Force Harrier Wing based at RAF Cottesmore has operated Harrier GR.7s in Afghanistan since September 2004 in support of both ISAF and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The principal task for the Harrier detachment operating from Kandahar Air Field (KAF), a part of 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), is to provide a reconnaissance and deterrent asset to ISAF and to coalition and Afghan forces. David Oliver reports.

Above: Pictured from a companion aircraft, RAF Harrier GR.7 ZD348 cruises above mountainous terrain on another patrol over Afghanistan, the pilots ever mindful that a call for ground-support would see them scorch down to low-level to assist British and other Nato troops. Below: Carrying tail code 61A, this GR.7 taxies out at Kandahar, fitted with a Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designation (TIALD) pod under the fuselage, fuel tanks under the wings and armed with CRV-7 rocket pods and 540lb bombs. (Photos, MoD/David Oliver).

The Harriers often join close air support (CAS) packages with USAF A-10s, F-15Es and B-52s. Using their external tanks they have a two-hour endurance with a full weapons load and, for longer OEF missions to the north-east of the country, are supported by USAF KC-135 tankers.
The short take-off and landing capability of the Harrier was vital for maintaining ISAF and OEF missions from Kandahar before the 10,500ft runway was repaired and resurfaced at the end of last year. Nos 1(F) and IV(AC) Squadrons have borne the brunt of Operation Herrick Harrier deployments, but since September 2006, the re-formed 800 Naval Air Squadron has taken over the Joint Force Harrier (JFH) detachment assigned to 904 EAW at KAF in Afghanistan’s volatile Helmand province – 500 miles from the nearest ocean.
The Squadron maintained a constant level of air support to both the UK Task Force and other Coalition forces operating in southern Afghanistan, not only in the kinetic role but also providing photographic imagery to aid the planning of future operations and as a deterrent to Taliban attacks. Some 50% of its tasks come from the Combined Air Operation Centre (CAOC), the Trinity controlling agency, while the rest are mostly self-designated.
The squadron’s pre-deployment training included ten days in Cyprus, two weeks in Oman, and a visit to India. One hundred and fifty 800 NAS personnel, including 12 pilots, were based at KAF. With a total of seven Harrier GR.7As in theatre the Squadron conducted a minimum of three daytime and one night patrols, with a pair of aircraft flying on each sortie. There is also a team permanently on 30min notice to move in the Ground Close Air Support (GCAS) role, in support of troops on the ground.

Above: Today’s Harrier, both the GR.7 and the latest GR.9, is much changed since the first marque entered RAF service in 1969. With its forward-looking infra-red system, linked to the pilot’s night-vision goggles, and its range of weaponry, the latest of these V/Stol attack aircraft are a match for most ground-based enemies. The GR.7 seen below in a mobile shelter at Kandahar carries two 2,000lb Enhanced Paveway IIs and is on stand-by for another close air-support mission. The GR.9s now in Afghanistan have more powerful engines which increases performance and armament capacity. (Photos, MoD/author).

For the rest of this feature please see the May 2007 issue.