Current Operations

Question 1

Operation Newcombe

Answer 1

• Support for French Operation ‘Servál’ where the UK provided in Mali
• Counter-Insurgency operation against ISIL forces

Forces deployed

• 2 C-17 Globemasters to transport French Armoured Vehicles
• 1 Sentinel R-1 for surveillance
• 3 Chinooks for troop and supply transport

Question 2

Operation Azotize

Answer 2

• RAF deployed to Estonia as part of the NATO air policing policy
• RAF typhoons scrambled multiple times recently from an Estonian Air Base
• Aims to protect and reassure NATO’s Eastern member states
• Russia proving to be testing

Question 3

Operation Toral

Answer 3

• Follow on from Operation Herrick - the British contribution to NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the war in Afghanistan
• 3 Chinooks deployed
• Main task - train and mentor afghan forces.

Question 4

Operation Kipion

Answer 4

• Long standing Maritime presence by the UK in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
• Main task - promote enduring peace and stability in the region, and ensure the safe flow of oil trade
• 2 Merlin helicopters (Naval Air Squadron)
• 4 Minesweepers

Question 5

Operation Shader

Answer 5

• Contribution of the UK military in the ongoing military intervention against ISIL forces
• Until 2015 the RAF were only mandated to conduct support and surveillance

Current Status

• British air strikes on ISIL in Iraq and Syria
• ISIL lose 95% of territory
• Numerous ISIL leaders killed
• Bulk of the Op is air strikes from: Reaper, Typhoon, Tornado.
• Weaponry for strikes including: Brimstone Missiles, Hellfire Missiles, Paveway IV Bombs
• Flying out of RAF Akritiri and Al Udeid Air Base.

Question 6

Operation Shader - Aircraft

Answer 6

• 8 Tornados (withdrawn)
• 9 Typhoons (6 active, 3 Reserve)
• 1 C-130J Hercules
• 2 Voyagers
• 2 Sentinel R-1
• 2 E-3D Sentry (AWACS)
• 10 Realer MQ-9A
• 1 Atlas A400m
• 1 C-17 Globemaster
• 1 RC- 135W Rivet Joint (Airseeker)
• Shadow R-1