• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

34 Squadron RAF Regiment will deploy to Kandahar Airfield

big bad john

Banned
Banned
Inactive
Reaction score
0
Points
360
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/34SquadronRafRegimentWillDeployToKandaharAirfield.htm

34 Squadron RAF Regiment will deploy to Kandahar Airfield
15 Jun 06
Secretary of State for Defence The Rt Hon Des Browne MP has placed the following Written Ministerial Statement in the House of Commons today, Thursday 15 June 2006:


Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne MP talks with British troops during a visit to Lashkar Gar, southern Afghanistan on Monday 12 June 2006.
[Picture: Cpl Mike Fletcher RLC]
"Kandahar Airfield plays an essential role in the British and Allied military commitment to the rebuilding of Afghanistan, a role that is likely to increase as the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) expands into the south of the country. It is important, therefore, that collectively we ensure the Airfield and the aircraft that use it are suitably protected.

"The UK has been using Kandahar as a base for its Harrier GR7 Force since September 2004 and now has much of our deployed helicopter fleet there. It is only right that the UK shares some of the burden in protecting this joint facility. While we currently provide some help, we are well placed to make that help still more effective. We have a specialist airfield defence capability that few of our partners have and the skills it would bring will enhance security arrangements at Kandahar Airfield.

"I have accordingly decided to commit the 130-strong 34 Squadron of the RAF Regiment to Kandahar Airfield. This unit will deploy within the next few weeks and join Afghan, Canadian, Romanian and US forces defending the Airfield and its environs.

"I am confident that this is an appropriate national contribution to the crucial task of protecting a facility of central importance to the success of the wider NATO mission in Afghanistan."

Kandahar Airfield is the centre for our logistical support to our operations in Southern Afghanistan. It is the home to our Harrier GR7 detachment, and our detachments of AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters, CH-47 Chinook Support Helicopters and Lynx utility helicopters. The Headquarters of the Multinational Brigade (South), to which we contribute some staff, is also on the Airfield. In total, we have about 500 personnel based there.


The RAF Regiment, picured here on patrol in southern Iraq, will provide force protection at Kandahar airfield.
[Picture: Harland Quarrington]
The Secretary of State has previously explained in a Parliamentary Statement that the Airfield is of central importance to the success of the wider NATO mission in Afghanistan. Deploying a specialised airfield defence capability means that we shall make our contribution to its protection still more effective without needing to take away from their main duties other, often highly specialised, personnel.

Kandahar Airfield has been subject to periodic attacks, mostly by rocket fire. The RAF Regiment, which is a specialised airfield defence unit, will play an important role in keeping the Airfield, and everybody who uses it, secure.
 
Back
Top