NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 2008 11
“
WE LEAVE the accommodation
before the sun has risen and so our
HIGH above the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan,
only clue to the weather for the day
ahead is whether or not we can see the
a Harrier of the Naval Strike Wing refuels from an
stars. Arriving at Squadron operations
American tanker – all in a day’s work for the team
the night team are winding down – this at Kandahar, as pilot LT IAN SLOAN describes.
is a quick chance to catch up on any
A day in
gossip or action that has taken place
over the previous night before they
ourselves on the ground and in need of edge of their limits – again, this requires
head back to the accommodation and
rescue this has some additional kit that focus to ensure everyone’s safety.
get their rest.
will aid our survival. We also pick up a Time arrives for engine start and as
Morning brief is a chance to fi nd out
pair of binoculars which can be a great we fl ick the switch the jet comes to life.
what the day holds. Weather, airfi eld
aid to locating points of interest on the Gradually systems power up and are
and aircraft states are fully briefed, as
ground from height. checked for correct operation and as
is the latest intelligence and tactical
Then to the aircraft – the we wave the chocks away and head for
situation – we need to know what is
engineers are ahead the runway we’re continually checking
the life
going on in the Area of Operations
of us in removing that the jet is ‘good to go’. Last minute
(AO) over the coming day in order to
blanks and bungs, engine checks on the threshold then it
provide the best support we can to the
getting external is a slam to full power and we are off.
boys on the ground.
A full sortie brief covers all
eventualities to make sure that all bases
are covered – we leave the Operations
room absolutely clear about our task
over the coming hours: who we are
supporting, how we contact them,
how long we spend in their area,
what support we have, in the form
of air refuelling or AWACS etc… We
outbrief with the Squadron authoriser
in plenty of time and set off to the line
to dress for the mission and sign for
our aircraft.
The engineering team is also coming to help identify whether they are The process then runs in reverse,
off a long night and will more than patrolling a friendly neighbourhood getting out of fl ying kit and signing the
likely have been working hard to where there is a normal pattern of life, aircraft back to the engineers before
ensure that our aircraft or are walking into an ambush. Where making our way back to squadron
required we can respond in kind – we operations and debriefi ng with the
have a wide variety of weapons and squadron intelligence offi cer, in order
can offer a graduated response – often to glean as much from the sortie as we
the situation will not warrant a 1,000lb can.
bomb straight away and in that case we So ends the fl ying for the day,
can use rockets or 500lb bombs. the rest of the day may be spent as
Weapon selection is something that squadron authoriser, or if we’re lucky
an afternoon off.
are serviceable and
Flying in Afghanistan is very different
the JTACs are trained in but as the
native We’d then be free to head to any of
ready to go on the mission.
from home – certainly the scenery is
experts we may suggest an alter
if we feel the situation dictates. the coffee shops on the base for some
Checking through the
a huge contrast – but the procedures
power to No two sorties are the same. Some light refreshment or to escape to the
servicing book for the aircraft
remain the same.
the aircraft so that as can be quite benign, watching a patrol gym for some exercise.
we make sure that it is fuelled
On checking in with the Joint Tactical
we arrive the navigational make its way peacefully up a dirt track, Trying to sit down at a computer at
and armed as required and
Air Controller (JTAC) all becomes
equipment is already others can be more frenetic and on some stage to contact home or writing
there are no limitations that
routine. There is a real international
aligning and we can check occasion the JTACs radio calls will be a letter might also be on the agenda
we were not aware of.
fl avour in country, over the course of a
various aircraft systems without interrupted by the sound of gunfi re in before heading for dinner and then
Then it’s on to survival
few hours we could switch between UK,
starting the engine, fuel is precious the background – that certainly brings getting some sleep before the cycle
equipment where we dress for
Canadian, Australian, Dutch, Spanish,
and the longer we can make it last on the reality of the situation to bear. starts all over again.
the mission. Each pilot has his
Italian, French and Canadian JTACs.
the sortie could make the difference On completion of our task we ‘check Overall, fl ying in Afghanistan varies
own take on the ‘dress to survive’
Each able to control us to achieve a
between life and death. out’ with our controllers and return to between mundane and frantic.
principle and as such will have a
weapon delivery where required.
Walking around a fully-armed jet, base. As we arrive back on chocks we We take great pride in providing the
suitable amount of insulation against
The majority of our work in
checking all the weapons brings a further check that the aircraft is still best service we can to the guys on the
the bitter cold of the Afghan winter.
Afghanistan is supporting the troops on
reality check – we are here to do a job serviceable before shutting down. The ground and to get their feedback as
In addition to the usual G suit and
the ground, our main method is sitting
of work and this brings added focus on engineers will already be refuelling and they fi lter through Kandahar on their
Life Saving Jacket we wear a Combat
overhead and letting them talk us on to
the task in hand. The aircraft are fully re-arming the aircraft as we walk back way home makes the effort much more
Survival Waistcoat – should we fi nd
a point of interest.
loaded and are operating close to the
We can then use our aircraft systems
into the line offi ce. rewarding.
”
A MASSIVE THANK YOU FROM
‘WIRELESS FOR THE BLIND’
Although the senior management at SSVC decided that the 2007 ‘Wireless for the Blind’ Appeal by BFBS was the last to be
held on our behalf, we hope you’ll still be able to support us.
After all, you’ve done so much to help our work over the years in so many different ways.
Your ceaseless support has enabled us to bring the comfort and companionship of radio to many thousands of blind and
partially sighted listeners in the UK who are in need.
In fact, since our appeals on BFBS first started, the tireless efforts of many, many UK servicemen and women like you have
raised over £2 million!
And that’s bought a lot of radios – not to mention a great deal of happiness!
So from everyone at British Wireless for the Blind Fund and all the thousands of people you’ve helped, we’d just like to say…
Thank you to all the BFBS staff and volunteers who’ve given up their time for us…
Thank you to all the donors of prizes that have helped raise additional funds…
Thank you to all the whacky fundraisers who ran, jumped, shaved, cooked, kidnapped and did so many amazing things…
Thank you to all those who’ve given money to sponsor them…
And thank you to everyone who has dipped into their pockets to donate money for our cause!

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BRITISH WIRELESS FOR THE BLIND FUND
GABRIEL HOUSE, 34 NEW RD, CHATHAM, KENT ME4 4QR
To find out more about us,visit us at: www.blind.org.uk TEL: (01634) 832501. FAX: (01634) 817485.
KEEPING BLIND PEOPLE IN TOUCH WITH THE WORLD
011_NN_Feb.indd 1 21/1/08 14:52:02
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