RAF families praised by Defence Secretary
13 Dec 06
Defence Secretary Des Browne has praised the families of RAF personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq during a visit to the home of the Chinook and the Joint Helicopter Force (JHF).
RAF Odiham in Hampshire is home to the RAF's largest helicopters, the twin rotor heavy-lift Chinooks of 7, 18(B) and 27 Squadrons. Station Commander Group Captain Sean Reynolds hosted Mr Browne, who spoke to many Station and Squadron personnel and viewed the hangars where the giant helicopters are maintained, repaired and prepared for operations.
Chinooks from 18 (Bomber) and 27 Squadrons are supporting military operations in Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan. Tasks include rapid troop movements to combat the Taliban, re-supplying Camp Bastion in the southern region of Helmand Province and medical evacuation. Such are the dangers facing the Chinook force that Apache gunship helicopters regularly escort them on missions.
These support helicopters make an essential contribution to the ongoing success of military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Merlins from 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at nearby RAF Benson are operating supporting troops in and around Basra.
But the operational effectiveness of front line support helicopters (SH)requires considerable back-up as Mr Browne said to Odiham personnel:
Mr Browne emphasised the importance the MOD attaches to families and their support:
RAF Chinook helicopters in action in Afghanistan. The RAF has more of these huge helicopters than any other air force including the USAF, and only the American Army has more. They also allow Britain to have Europe's greatest heavy lifting capabilities.
[Picture: Cpl Rob Knight]
Flying Officer Dan Padbury of 27 Squadron said:
The RAF operates the world's largest fleet of Chinook support helicopters after the US army and forms the heavy lift element of the UK's JHC. They can carry up to 54 troops or ten tonnes of freight either inside the fuselage or underslung. Each has a front seat crew of two and two air loadmasters.
The most famous Chinook is 'Bravo November'. She has flown in all the major conflicts where British Forces have deployed since The Falklands Campaign in 1982 and during that time two Distinguished Flying Crosses have been awarded to pilots flying her. Currently 'Bravo November' is deployed in Afghanistan flying missions in support of UK forces.
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How the Royal Air Force compares to its EU counterparts
Western Europe's largest air forces in terms of number of aircraft
Royal Air Force - 1000
Italy - 941
France - 560
Luftwaffe (Germany) - 426 (may be cut to 265 by 2015)
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/D...ions/RafFamiliesPraisedByDefenceSecretary.htm
13 Dec 06
Defence Secretary Des Browne has praised the families of RAF personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq during a visit to the home of the Chinook and the Joint Helicopter Force (JHF).
RAF Odiham in Hampshire is home to the RAF's largest helicopters, the twin rotor heavy-lift Chinooks of 7, 18(B) and 27 Squadrons. Station Commander Group Captain Sean Reynolds hosted Mr Browne, who spoke to many Station and Squadron personnel and viewed the hangars where the giant helicopters are maintained, repaired and prepared for operations.
Chinooks from 18 (Bomber) and 27 Squadrons are supporting military operations in Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan. Tasks include rapid troop movements to combat the Taliban, re-supplying Camp Bastion in the southern region of Helmand Province and medical evacuation. Such are the dangers facing the Chinook force that Apache gunship helicopters regularly escort them on missions.
These support helicopters make an essential contribution to the ongoing success of military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Merlins from 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at nearby RAF Benson are operating supporting troops in and around Basra.
But the operational effectiveness of front line support helicopters (SH)requires considerable back-up as Mr Browne said to Odiham personnel:
"The JHF has, since 2000, flown operations in Beirut, the Balkans and Sierra Leone as well as Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition the SH force has conducted disaster relief missions in Pakistan and until recently a detachment was maintained in the Falklands.
"They work tirelessly day and night, sometimes in the face of hostile fire, to support the front line. But the aircrew are only part of the picture. They need maintenance, supply teams and a headquarters organisation to support them. Support helicopters have earned the respect and appreciation of troops wherever they have been deployed. This contribution has not grabbed the public interest and is all too easily glossed over."
Mr Browne emphasised the importance the MOD attaches to families and their support:
"Their massive contribution is sometimes overlooked. They win quiet but important victories at home while their loved ones are away on operations. To my mind Service families are every bit as important to the success of military operations as our helicopters. The nation appreciates the sacrifices Service families regularly accept."
The Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) was formed in 1999 to bring together all UK battlefield helicopters under one organisation. The RAF's SH force consists of more than 3,000 personnel and provides Chinooks, Pumas and Merlins for joint operations from four bases: RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, RAF Odiham in Hampshire, RAF Stafford in Staffordshire and RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland.
RAF Chinook helicopters in action in Afghanistan. The RAF has more of these huge helicopters than any other air force including the USAF, and only the American Army has more. They also allow Britain to have Europe's greatest heavy lifting capabilities.
[Picture: Cpl Rob Knight]
Flying Officer Dan Padbury of 27 Squadron said:
"We appreciated the Secretary of State visiting us and taking a keen interest in the SH force, especially as we have personnel deploying in the next few days."
In the modern era of expeditionary warfare the SH force is required to support all areas of the battlefield, often operating deep into enemy territory beyond the front line day or night in all weathers.The RAF operates the world's largest fleet of Chinook support helicopters after the US army and forms the heavy lift element of the UK's JHC. They can carry up to 54 troops or ten tonnes of freight either inside the fuselage or underslung. Each has a front seat crew of two and two air loadmasters.
The most famous Chinook is 'Bravo November'. She has flown in all the major conflicts where British Forces have deployed since The Falklands Campaign in 1982 and during that time two Distinguished Flying Crosses have been awarded to pilots flying her. Currently 'Bravo November' is deployed in Afghanistan flying missions in support of UK forces.
---------------------
How the Royal Air Force compares to its EU counterparts
Western Europe's largest air forces in terms of number of aircraft
Royal Air Force - 1000
Italy - 941
France - 560
Luftwaffe (Germany) - 426 (may be cut to 265 by 2015)
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/D...ions/RafFamiliesPraisedByDefenceSecretary.htm
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