The RAF's deployment of V-STOL (Vertical Short-Take Off and Landing) Harrier aircraft to Afghanistan is soon to end, with the world-famous fighters set to return to the UK shortly. Since 2004, when the first RAF Harriers arrived in Afghanistan, they have been heavily involved in close-air support missions in support of ISAF (NATO's International Security Assistance Force), ensuring the survival of numerous members of the British armed forces serving in the country.

The present deployed force of RAF Harrier GR9s comprises eight airframes and 11 crews. Their position in Afghanistan will now be filled by Panavia Tornado GR4s, with the changeover scheduled to have been completed by June 30th, 2009.

Joint Force Harrier

Royal Air Force Harriers form part of Joint Force Harrier, which was established in 2000 and which ties up the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy's V-STOL assets. Joint Force Harrier is comprised of two front line RAF Harrier Squadrons (1 and 4), a reserve squadron (20), and the Naval Strike Wing, which is itself sub-divided into 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons.

Each Joint Force Harrier deployment to Afghanistan has lasted for six months, carried out through a strict rotational policy. The current deployed unit is No.1 Squadron, which is based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland - the UK's smallest county.

The original plan was for the RAF Harrier GR7s and GR9s in Afghanistan to have ended their deployment by April 2009. This date, however, was moved back on account of necessary construction work at Kandahar Air Base, as well as the RAF Tornado fleet's continuing upgrade programme.

RAF Harrier Ejection

Last month, an RAF Harrier ejection took place when the pilot involved was landing at Kandahar. The MoD subsequently launched an investigation, simultaneously asserting that the incident was not apparently linked to "enemy action."

Summing up the feelings of the Harrier pilots involved in the type's deployment, the commander of No.1 Squadron RAF, Wing Commander Dave Haines, stated: "The Harrier crews have mixed emotions about leaving after all this time".

"The task here has been very rewarding professionally but everyone is now looking forward to rebuilding their personal relationships back home".