617 Sqdn Op's Update from Afghanistan:
The Tornado GR4s of 617 ‘The Dambusters’ Sqn have continued to deliver their key capabilities in support of coalition ground forces. 617 sqn's Tornado GR4s have been focused upon reconnaissance missions using the RAPTOR pod to provide essential intelligence data in support of ground commanders.

During one reconnaissance mission this week, to the Southwest of Kandahar city, the crew found evidence of the placement of some Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and passed this information on so that the ground patrol were aware of the threat. Later on the same mission, they saw a Taliban in the process of laying IEDs. Having told ground forces of the threat, the Tornado GR4 of 617 Sqdn requested permission to attack the insurgent but before this could be done the insurgent hid in a local village. The 617 Sqdn crew decided not to attack as the risk to civilians in the area was too great.

Later in the week, the Sqn was tasked on two occasions to provide support to patrols that were under attack from insurgents. In both cases, the Tornado provided a Show of Force, which was sufficient to cause the insurgents to break off the attack.

Info taken from the weekly official on-line RAF Operational Update.

Please show your support for the amazing job 617 Sqdn and all our service men and women are doing on our behalf in Afghanistan by donating on line at www.bmycharity.com/dambusters2012