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After a deployment lasting five years on operations in Afghanistan, the Joint Force Harrier’s last remaining squadron returned home today, Wednesday 1 July, to their base at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland. Personnel from 1(Fighter) Squadron returned to base to be greeted by their families, friends, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Rt Hon Bill Rammell MP, and senior officers from the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. Mr Rammell applauded the efforts of the Harrier Force. He said: “Over the past five years Joint Force Harrier has played a crucial role in Afghanistan, flying thousands of sorties to provide vital Close Air Support and reconnaissance information. Joint Force Harrier has made a significant and acclaimed contribution to coalition air operations and all those personnel involved can be proud of their many achievements. “As they now hand over their responsibilities to the Tornado GR4 force, I am delighted to welcome the men and women of Joint Force Harrier back to the UK for a well-earned and deserved break from operations.” The Joint Force Harrier fleet is a combined Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm unit that first deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in May 2004 in support of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Since then the Harrier Force has flown in excess of 22,000 hours on a total of over 8,500 sorties mainly supporting ground troops in the southern province of Helmand. As well as flying ‘show of force’ and reconnaissance missions the Harriers were most noted for their very successful Close Air Support role support to ground troops. Fitted with rockets and a range of guided bombs the Harriers flew over 2,000 Close Air Support missions during the deployment. Commenting on five years of high intensity war-fighting the RAF Cottesmore Station Commander and Harrier Force Commander, Group Captain Ken McCann said:“I must pay tribute to the outstanding and unflinching contribution the men and women of Joint Force Harrier have consistently delivered in providing peerless Close Air Support during this extended period. The Harrier Force has undoubtedly saved the lives of countless personnel, service and civilian, on the ground throughout the country – a magnificent effort.” Upon the very warm welcome home, as it was hotter at RAF Cottesmore than Kabul, the Officer Commanding 1(F) Squadron, Wing Commander Dave Haines said: “It’s a big relief after five years of having people in harms way in Afghanistan, to bring them home, for everyone to get home safely” To sum up the contribution Joint Force Harrier made to Op Herrick he added: “We provided a professional service to those people that needed it; the five years has been a great testament to the success of the Joint Force Harrier. An interesting five years, we’re all glad to be home.”
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