Afghan Deployment for RAF Helicopter Rescue Crews
The MoD has confirmed that 20 per cent of the Royal Air Force’s helicopter crews involved in search and rescue (S&R) missions will be deployed to Afghanistan.
These airmen will be operationally active in the Province of Helmand, where their role will be the transportation of British troops serving there.
Troop Transportation
Troop transportation in Afghanistan is, more and more, becoming the domain of the helicopter, given the risk posed by roadside bombs to vehicles on the ground.
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other explosive arms have caused a large number of the 114 British military deaths suffered in Afghanistan over the past seven years.
With the influx of extra pilots, the hope is that airmen already serving in the country will not become fatigued. However, back in Britain, the relocation will result in one less crew being based at the Royal Air Force’s six S&R stations across the country than at present.
Consequently, some are concerned that the directive will affect the RAF airborne rescue teams’ ability to react as quickly as they do at the moment.
Search and Rescue Operations
Over 1,000 calls/ year are currently made to the teams and, by collaborating with other rescue elements, the helicopters/ pilots are in a position where no site in the country takes in excess of an hour (day)/ one-and-a-half hours (night) to reach.
A spokesman for the MoD commented: "The RAF search and rescue teams are the most dedicated and professional in the world.
"They provide at least one committed standby helicopter at six bases throughout the United Kingdom able to respond within 15 minutes.
"Changes have been made to crew structures at these bases in order to provide additional support to our top priority, operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This will not affect normal search and rescue capability and our support to civil authorities during recent flooding shows our ability to respond flexibly to extraordinary requirements."
The spokesman concluded: "Operations are always our priority. We have to focus our resources on the front line."
Helicopters in Afghanistan
Last week, Des Browne, Defence Secretary, discussed the issue of Britain’s lack of helicopters with a number of officials.
One measure that could be employed to meet the Iraqi/ Afghan shortfall is to lease helicopters from overseas Air Forces, or from non-military users.
The British military deployment in Afghanistan includes examples of the Chinook, Sea King and Lynx helicopters, operated by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps respectively. AAC Apaches are also present, although these do not serve in the troop transportation role.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
Recent related News Items:
British Military Helicopters -
RAF Chinook Conversion Programme Underway
"No Announcements" on Future Lynx Programme: Taylor
British Forces in Afghanistan -
British Forces Prepare for Afghan Deployment
Afghan Conflict Needs "Decades" of Commitment: Stirrup
British Troops in Apache "Friendly Fire" Incident
British Military Using Hellfire Weapons in Afghanistan
Morale among British Troops "Never Better"
8,000+ British Troops to Serve in Afghanistan:Browne
Further Resources:
Products and Services -
