12 January 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to double the number of
Reaper aircraft operating in Afghanistan.
As part of a £135million investment, the five new Remotely Piloted
Aircraft (RPA) will eventually join the four already deployed on Op
Herrick and flown by 39 Squadron.
Reapers provide vital intelligence to help with on-going missions and
to assist troops on the ground.
RAF aircrew operating from the world’s busiest single runway at
Kandahar Air Field, in the South West corner of Afghanistan, fly the
RPA in missions against the Taliban.
From Kandahar, aircrew from 39 Sqn – based at Creech Air Force
Base (AFB) in America – fly the Reapers as part of the Launch and
Recovery Element (LRE).
Flight Lieutenant Pilot ‘Ben’ flies the aircraft in the challenging take-off
and landing phases. The majority of the 14-15 hour flights are flown by
the Mission Crew back at Creech AFB over two or three shifts.
Ben said: “Take-offs and landings are by far the most complex and
risky parts of any aircraft’s flight, that’s why it is done by trained aircrew
and not automated.
Also if there is sufficient fuel left after a mission then we will fly support
missions in the local area prior to recovery.”
The Flight Lieutenant Weapons System Operator ‘Jonesy’, a former
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to double the number of
Reaper aircraft operating in Afghanistan.
As part of a £135million investment, the five new Remotely Piloted
Aircraft (RPA) will eventually join the four already deployed on Op
Herrick and flown by 39 Squadron.
Reapers provide vital intelligence to help with on-going missions and
to assist troops on the ground.
RAF aircrew operating from the world’s busiest single runway at
Kandahar Air Field, in the South West corner of Afghanistan, fly the
RPA in missions against the Taliban.
From Kandahar, aircrew from 39 Sqn – based at Creech Air Force
Base (AFB) in America – fly the Reapers as part of the Launch and
Recovery Element (LRE).
Flight Lieutenant Pilot ‘Ben’ flies the aircraft in the challenging take-off
and landing phases. The majority of the 14-15 hour flights are flown by
the Mission Crew back at Creech AFB over two or three shifts.
Ben said: “Take-offs and landings are by far the most complex and
risky parts of any aircraft’s flight, that’s why it is done by trained aircrew
and not automated.
Also if there is sufficient fuel left after a mission then we will fly support
missions in the local area prior to recovery.”
The Flight Lieutenant Weapons System Operator ‘Jonesy’, a former
Reaper is to double its presence in Afghanistan
Crews operating from Kandahar
He said: “Being here is the most operational relevant job for aircrew, there are no training missions and no room for error. Either back at Creech getting familiar with how the aircraft handles or getting familiar with the human and geographical environment of Afghanistan. Then add in trying to land the aircraft remotely with no feeling of flight, it’s a lot to take in.”
The RAF is currently the only other Service outside the USA operating Reaper and the 39 Sqn aircrew are fully integrated into the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (their American equivalents), a USAF Unit that employs both RAF and USAF personnel.
A recent example of the work of Reaper was providing intelligence on an insurgent compound. Over a period of days a pattern of life of people going into and around the compound was built up, leading to the positive identification that the compound was being used to make Home Made Explosives (HME).
However, just after the decision was made to strike the HME a number of local children were seen playing and entering the compound and the attack was called off and handed over to rapid-reaction ground troops.
The RAF is currently the only other Service outside the USA operating Reaper and the 39 Sqn aircrew are fully integrated into the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (their American equivalents), a USAF Unit that employs both RAF and USAF personnel.
A recent example of the work of Reaper was providing intelligence on an insurgent compound. Over a period of days a pattern of life of people going into and around the compound was built up, leading to the positive identification that the compound was being used to make Home Made Explosives (HME).
However, just after the decision was made to strike the HME a number of local children were seen playing and entering the compound and the attack was called off and handed over to rapid-reaction ground troops.
The Chief of the Air Staff has announced that a new Reaper Squadron will form at RAF
Waddington in Lincolnshire, which will mean the aircraft over Afghanistan will be controlled
from the UK for the first time.
With its array of high tech sensors and precision guided weapons, Reaper can carry out a
wide range of missions that are currently controlled by 39 Squadron crews on the other
side of the world at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
Speaking at the disbandment of XIII Tornado Squadron at RAF Marham, Air Chief Marshal
Sir Stephen Dalton announced that the Squadron number will transfer to a second Reaper
Squadron next year. 2012
Reaper can use its sensors day and night to spy on insurgent activity for hours at a time and
at a range where they are undetectable from the ground.
Waddington in Lincolnshire, which will mean the aircraft over Afghanistan will be controlled
from the UK for the first time.
With its array of high tech sensors and precision guided weapons, Reaper can carry out a
wide range of missions that are currently controlled by 39 Squadron crews on the other
side of the world at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
Speaking at the disbandment of XIII Tornado Squadron at RAF Marham, Air Chief Marshal
Sir Stephen Dalton announced that the Squadron number will transfer to a second Reaper
Squadron next year. 2012
Reaper can use its sensors day and night to spy on insurgent activity for hours at a time and
at a range where they are undetectable from the ground.
Latest News Lucky 13
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, said: "I am confident that XIII Squadron's reputation and distinguished history will be carried forward as it transitions to be a part of our Remotely Piloted Force employing the Reaper over Afghanistan.
Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said: "Reaper aircraft are providing valuable support to our front-line troops in Afghanistan. We are committed to providing the best available equipment to our Armed Forces."
He added: "The formation of this new Squadron follows our doubling of the Reaper capability to ten aircraft, which represents an increased investment of £135M. This extra Squadron will help us get the best out of this valuable armed reconnaissance aircraft."
Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said: "Reaper aircraft are providing valuable support to our front-line troops in Afghanistan. We are committed to providing the best available equipment to our Armed Forces."
He added: "The formation of this new Squadron follows our doubling of the Reaper capability to ten aircraft, which represents an increased investment of £135M. This extra Squadron will help us get the best out of this valuable armed reconnaissance aircraft."
Tornado GR4 navigator with several operational tours experience, spoke about howthe LRE aircrew had to do a minimum of a year and a half back at Creech AFB before they were qualified to deploy to Afghanistan.
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