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In an operation lasting 10 days during March 2021, the Iraqi Security Forces ground troops cleared Daesh terrorists from the Makhmur Mountain region, south-west from Erbil, while RAF and other coalition aircraft carried out a major air offensive in support.

The operation began when Daesh extremists were confirmed to be based in a network of caves in the Makhmur mountains and concluded on 22 March. Since the caves were assessed to be a particularly challenging target, three Typhoon FGR4s were tasked to conduct an attack using Storm Shadow missiles, the remote area having first been checked to ensure that no civilians would be placed at risk. The strike on the Daesh targets was assessed by subsequent surveillance to have been a success.

The British Armed Forces, alongside our Iraqi and Coalition partners, continue to root out Daesh terrorists from where they hide. The UK is committed to defeating Daesh. This operation will prevent the terrorist group and its toxic ideology from regaining a foothold in Iraq and reduce its capability to coordinate attacks around the world.

The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace MP

Throughout the 10 day operation, the RAF used 42 Paveway IV bombs and 10 Storm Shadow cruise missiles have been used during the multiple strikes throughout the operation. The operation builds on the success of recent years and represents a significant increase in activity from previous months. This was the first operational use of the Storm Shadow cruise missile from a Typhoon FGR4 aircraft.

In a separate operation carried on Sunday 4 April, an RAF Reaper, armed with Hellfire missiles, identified a small group of Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, some fifty miles west of Al Hasakah. Having checked that there were no civilians nearby, the Reaper’s crew attacked the terrorists, striking the target successfully.

The Royal Air Force and wider Coalition have supported an operation led by a highly capable unit from the Iraqi Security Forces. Together, we are working towards defeating the remnants of Daesh and ensuring its will is depleted.

The commitment and dedication from the personnel deployed on operations across the Middle East is simply outstanding. It is even more impressive that the Royal Air Force can adapt and continue to deliver air power against the enemy during a global pandemic.

Air Commodore Simon Strasdin, the Air Officer Commander of 83 Expeditionary Air Group and the UK Air Component Commander in the Middle East

A Typhoon FGR4 pilot who was involved in the operation said:

I feel incredibly proud to have been able to support the recent Coalition operation in the Makhmur Mountains. We were removing Daesh from the region and denying them a critical safe haven from which to continue their operations in Iraq and Syria.

As part of this operation, the Squadron took part in two combined missions involving Coalition assets. It is always very professionally satisfying to work alongside our allies to achieve the task.

Operation Shader is essential to dismantling Daesh’s networks and reducing the terrorist group’s global ambitions. Though Daesh has been territorially defeated, it is estimated there are approximately 10,000 Daesh terrorists still at large across Syria and Iraq.

The UK, together with 82 partner nations of the Global Coalition, therefore remains committed to working with Iraq to not only degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh but to also enhance its security.

In addition to air strikes the RAF is also carrying out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance; Air to Air Refuelling and Air Transport sorties using Reaper, Voyager, C130 and A400Ms aircraft.

Continue reading “RAF Typhoon Operation supporting Iraq Ground Forces against Daesh Stronghold has ended successfully.”

Personnel from No 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron and No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron have been preparing and transporting the equipment and supplies needed to sustain the Typhoon jets that will be deploying to carry out the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in the Black Sea region this summer.

The RAF NATO mission is known by its military name as Operation Biloxi and is the first major operation for the newly formed RAF Support Force, of which the A4 Force Elements are a part. They bring together most of the capabilities and skills needed to sustain modern air operations and exercises, including Specialist engineering, logistics, advanced military communications, tactical medical services and the mountain rescue team.

The RAF Support Force engineering and logistics personnel being based at Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu air base. The deploying personnel will be responsible for the moving of RAF military equipment across international borders to set up and then sustain the operation. To ensure the operation is successfully supported requires specialist planning and delivery which is carried out by the Support Force personnel.

It’s an involved and detailed process. We have to make sure the schedule works in order get all the right equipment there on time. We do that by ensuring all the kit that has to travel has all the proper diplomatic and international clearances in place.

Senior Aircraftman Bennett-Yard, 2 MT Squadron

Whilst 2 MT Squadron will transport the equipment to the military port at Marchwood, a team from 1 ELW Squadron has been making sure all the kit is properly prepared. Mobility Supply Flight has prepared all the freight needed by the RAF for this mission, including the specialist airfield vehicles, and will oversee the shipping to Romania.

Sergeant Markham has been involved in the logistics effort for several NATO Air Policing Missions.

It’s our biggest task of the year, and we’ve been involved from the start, preparing and packing all the kit to travel by air and sea for the A4 Force Elements. Our Port Liaison role sees us manage freight, ISO containers and vehicles from across the RAF ready for travel on the ferry.

Sergeant Markham

In addition to the RAF Wittering based units, personnel from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth have also been preparing and despatching equipment to Romania. Group Captain Lincoln, Commander of the A4 Force Elements and Deputy Commander of the RAF Support Force.

In many ways, this is what the Support Force is all about, making sure that the right equipment is in the right place at the right time. It sounds like a simple thing, but modern air power depends entirely on having the right kit on the ground, ensuring those aircraft and their crews are appropriately supported. 

Group Captain Lincoln

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Having only attested into 603 Sqn in November 2020, she quickly completed her initial training at the Sqn HQ in Edinburgh, before travelling to RAF Halton to partake in the 2 week residential Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) in March.

When asked what was the most challenging aspect of BRTC, Emily replied:

The Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) aspect was very challenging. There was a lot of interesting theory to learn, alongside drills dressed in uniform and the CBRN suit which made them a lot harder. I’m just thankful there wasn’t too much sun.

Whilst there, she truly excelled herself and was the worthy winner of both the Top Recruit and Top Shot.

Now, she moves on to her Phase 2 training to become the Squadron’s first ever female RAF Regiment Gunner which will be initially be carried out in and around the Edinburgh areas before a further 2-week cumulative exercise known as Exercise OMEGA at RAF Honington later this year.

Emily recounted her best memory as:

The exercise at the end was a great opportunity to put everything we learnt over the two weeks into practice. Going on patrol and shooting blanks whilst practicing fire and movement drills was amazing! The range day was brilliant as well, and I can’t wait to spend more time on the range in my Phase 2 training.

Whilst not playing international hockey or training to be a Regiment Gunner, Emily is studying Physics at the St Andrews University.

Everyone at 603 Sqn is extremely proud of what Emily has achieved in such a short period of time – she has done the herself, the training team and the Squadron proud!

Emily says:

I felt extremely proud to have finished the course and that I had really achieved something whilst meeting some incredible people.

Continue reading “Scottish hockey star Emily Dark has hit the mark.”

In an operation lasting 10 days during March 2021, the Iraqi Security Forces ground troops cleared Daesh terrorists from the Makhmur Mountain region, south-west from Erbil, while RAF and other coalition aircraft carried out a major air offensive in support.

The operation began when Daesh extremists were confirmed to be based in a network of caves in the Makhmur mountains and concluded on 22 March. Since the caves were assessed to be a particularly challenging target, three Typhoon FGR4s were tasked to conduct an attack using Storm Shadow missiles, the remote area having first been checked to ensure that no civilians would be placed at risk. The strike on the Daesh targets was assessed by subsequent surveillance to have been a success.

The British Armed Forces, alongside our Iraqi and Coalition partners, continue to root out Daesh terrorists from where they hide. The UK is committed to defeating Daesh. This operation will prevent the terrorist group and its toxic ideology from regaining a foothold in Iraq and reduce its capability to coordinate attacks around the world.

The Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace MP

Throughout the 10 day operation, the RAF used 42 Paveway IV bombs and 10 Storm Shadow cruise missiles have been used during the multiple strikes throughout the operation. The operation builds on the success of recent years and represents a significant increase in activity from previous months. This was the first operational use of the Storm Shadow cruise missile from a Typhoon FGR4 aircraft.

In a separate operation carried on Sunday 4 April, an RAF Reaper, armed with Hellfire missiles, identified a small group of Daesh terrorists in northern Syria, some fifty miles west of Al Hasakah. Having checked that there were no civilians nearby, the Reaper’s crew attacked the terrorists, striking the target successfully.

The Royal Air Force and wider Coalition have supported an operation led by a highly capable unit from the Iraqi Security Forces. Together, we are working towards defeating the remnants of Daesh and ensuring its will is depleted.

The commitment and dedication from the personnel deployed on operations across the Middle East is simply outstanding. It is even more impressive that the Royal Air Force can adapt and continue to deliver air power against the enemy during a global pandemic.

Air Commodore Simon Strasdin, the Air Officer Commander of 83 Expeditionary Air Group and the UK Air Component Commander in the Middle East

A Typhoon FGR4 pilot who was involved in the operation said:

I feel incredibly proud to have been able to support the recent Coalition operation in the Makhmur Mountains. We were removing Daesh from the region and denying them a critical safe haven from which to continue their operations in Iraq and Syria.

As part of this operation, the Squadron took part in two combined missions involving Coalition assets. It is always very professionally satisfying to work alongside our allies to achieve the task.

Operation Shader is essential to dismantling Daesh’s networks and reducing the terrorist group’s global ambitions. Though Daesh has been territorially defeated, it is estimated there are approximately 10,000 Daesh terrorists still at large across Syria and Iraq.

The UK, together with 82 partner nations of the Global Coalition, therefore remains committed to working with Iraq to not only degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh but to also enhance its security.

In addition to air strikes the RAF is also carrying out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance; Air to Air Refuelling and Air Transport sorties using Reaper, Voyager, C130 and A400Ms aircraft.

Continue reading “RAF Typhoon Operation supporting Iraq Ground Forces against Daesh Stronghold has ended successfully.”