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RAF Tornados playing vital role in Afghan offensive RAF Tornados playing vital role in Afghan offensive
(39 minutes later)
By Caroline Wyatt BBC defence correspondent The RAF's Tornado force is playing a key role in Operation MoshtarakBy Caroline Wyatt BBC defence correspondent The RAF's Tornado force is playing a key role in Operation Moshtarak
For the Nato-led forces continuing their major operation against the Taliban in Helmand, Afghanistan, roadside bombs remain a big challenge. The RAF's Tornado force is playing a vital role in tackling the threat by gathering intelligence from the air.For the Nato-led forces continuing their major operation against the Taliban in Helmand, Afghanistan, roadside bombs remain a big challenge. The RAF's Tornado force is playing a vital role in tackling the threat by gathering intelligence from the air.
It is a cold, clear dawn in Afghanistan and Flt Lts "Knappie" and "Scottie", as they are nicknamed, are getting ready for their first sortie of the day.It is a cold, clear dawn in Afghanistan and Flt Lts "Knappie" and "Scottie", as they are nicknamed, are getting ready for their first sortie of the day.
Their grey Tornado fighter jets gleam in the morning sun as they wait on the runway to take off.Their grey Tornado fighter jets gleam in the morning sun as they wait on the runway to take off.
On a close air support mission, the Tornados can be called on by any of Nato's troops who find themselves in trouble.On a close air support mission, the Tornados can be called on by any of Nato's troops who find themselves in trouble.
Every day, IX Squadron provides air support and gathers intelligence footage to help troops on the ground spot and avoid roadside bombs.Every day, IX Squadron provides air support and gathers intelligence footage to help troops on the ground spot and avoid roadside bombs.
Flt Lt James Cook, 27, was the navigator on one flight that came to the rescue of British troops in a skirmish in Kajaki recently, during which the decision was made to drop a bomb on the Taliban's position.Flt Lt James Cook, 27, was the navigator on one flight that came to the rescue of British troops in a skirmish in Kajaki recently, during which the decision was made to drop a bomb on the Taliban's position.
"When we checked in with the forward air controller (soldier) on the ground, we became aware he was under fire," Fl Lt Cook said."When we checked in with the forward air controller (soldier) on the ground, we became aware he was under fire," Fl Lt Cook said.
"We talk about the bomb being the last resort. The only thing we could do to prevent loss of life in this situation was to drop a bomb on the enemy forces' position."We talk about the bomb being the last resort. The only thing we could do to prevent loss of life in this situation was to drop a bomb on the enemy forces' position.
Sophisticated cameras
"It ensured the guys were safe on the ground, and allowed them to pull back to their patrol base.""It ensured the guys were safe on the ground, and allowed them to pull back to their patrol base."
Later, he spoke to the soldier.Later, he spoke to the soldier.
"He passed on their thanks - and it was rewarding to know we'd been able to help," he said."He passed on their thanks - and it was rewarding to know we'd been able to help," he said.
Sophisticated cameras
In the first week of Operation Moshtarak, the air crews here flew as much as they would normally fly in a month, using two million litres of fuel and staying in the air for up to five hours at a time.In the first week of Operation Moshtarak, the air crews here flew as much as they would normally fly in a month, using two million litres of fuel and staying in the air for up to five hours at a time.
We are able to identify the subtleties that may identify an IED. Our primary objective here is to save lives, and to remove the IED threat from on the ground Sqn Ldr John Williamson US-led troops 'steady progress' Afghans condemn Nato attack Operation MoshtarakWe are able to identify the subtleties that may identify an IED. Our primary objective here is to save lives, and to remove the IED threat from on the ground Sqn Ldr John Williamson US-led troops 'steady progress' Afghans condemn Nato attack Operation Moshtarak
But close air support is only one part of the role, with intelligence-gathering an increasingly crucial part of their job.But close air support is only one part of the role, with intelligence-gathering an increasingly crucial part of their job.
The Tornados are fitted with sophisticated cameras on their targeting and reconnaissance pods and are able to bring back clear images taken from several miles away of exactly what is happening on the ground.The Tornados are fitted with sophisticated cameras on their targeting and reconnaissance pods and are able to bring back clear images taken from several miles away of exactly what is happening on the ground.
In a tiny office by the runway in Kandahar, the men and women of the RAF's Tactical Imagery Wing sit staring closely at their screens, analysing the intelligence the Tornado crews have brought back.In a tiny office by the runway in Kandahar, the men and women of the RAF's Tactical Imagery Wing sit staring closely at their screens, analysing the intelligence the Tornado crews have brought back.
They are looking at startlingly clear, three-dimensional images of villages, compounds and roads, to see exactly what may have changed - and where any roadside bombs or IEDs have been laid.They are looking at startlingly clear, three-dimensional images of villages, compounds and roads, to see exactly what may have changed - and where any roadside bombs or IEDs have been laid.
Sqd Ldr John Williamson explains: "We are able to identify the subtleties that may identify an IED. Our primary objective here is to save lives, and to remove the IED threat from on the ground."Sqd Ldr John Williamson explains: "We are able to identify the subtleties that may identify an IED. Our primary objective here is to save lives, and to remove the IED threat from on the ground."
Back at their offices, the Tornado air crews are holding a debrief from the morning's flying.Back at their offices, the Tornado air crews are holding a debrief from the morning's flying.
They admit that from their vantage point high in the skies, they sometimes feel a long way from the battles below.They admit that from their vantage point high in the skies, they sometimes feel a long way from the battles below.
Yet they do get an unexpectedly intimate view of daily life in the villages of Helmand, albeit seen through the Tornadoes' cameras as they gather intelligence.Yet they do get an unexpectedly intimate view of daily life in the villages of Helmand, albeit seen through the Tornadoes' cameras as they gather intelligence.
About 15,000 Nato and Afghan troops are involved in the offensiveAbout 15,000 Nato and Afghan troops are involved in the offensive
Pilot Flt Lt Mike Kendall, 28, said his view of Afghanistan had changed as he had spent time here.Pilot Flt Lt Mike Kendall, 28, said his view of Afghanistan had changed as he had spent time here.
"You can see changes on the ground. When I first came here, I thought everyone on the ground would be baddies."You can see changes on the ground. When I first came here, I thought everyone on the ground would be baddies.
"But instead, I've spent a lot of time watching people going about their daily business. And you realise as you watch people putting out their washing that they're doing just that - going about their lives," he said."But instead, I've spent a lot of time watching people going about their daily business. And you realise as you watch people putting out their washing that they're doing just that - going about their lives," he said.
Long daysLong days
The sheer amount of flying also puts a strain on the Tornados themselves, and the men and women who maintain them.The sheer amount of flying also puts a strain on the Tornados themselves, and the men and women who maintain them.
The engineers of IX Squadron put in 2,000 hours of maintenance in the first 10 days of Operation Moshtarak.The engineers of IX Squadron put in 2,000 hours of maintenance in the first 10 days of Operation Moshtarak.
Sqn Ldr Steve Chapman is the senior engineer for IX Squadron.Sqn Ldr Steve Chapman is the senior engineer for IX Squadron.
"We face quite a few challenges. The engineers have to get used to working 12 hours on, 12 hours off every day, and in the climate, which can go from very hot in the day to very cold at night."We face quite a few challenges. The engineers have to get used to working 12 hours on, 12 hours off every day, and in the climate, which can go from very hot in the day to very cold at night.
"But everyone feels that they are a part of this operation, and a part of the team.""But everyone feels that they are a part of this operation, and a part of the team."
As darkness falls on Kandahar airbase, it is the end of another long day.As darkness falls on Kandahar airbase, it is the end of another long day.
The crews gather in one of the cafes here to relax. There is no alcohol, but the cafe does a mean hot chocolate.The crews gather in one of the cafes here to relax. There is no alcohol, but the cafe does a mean hot chocolate.
In these surroundings, the real Afghanistan seems even further away.In these surroundings, the real Afghanistan seems even further away.
But with months spent away from home, it is a brief but welcome reminder of normal life before it is time for bed - ahead of another dawn start.But with months spent away from home, it is a brief but welcome reminder of normal life before it is time for bed - ahead of another dawn start.