Ministry of Defence
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RAF's VC10 aircraft- 18 years of Middle Eastern operations
There can be few RAF units with a finer operational record than No 101 Squadron. In service from the Somme to Suez, Berlin to Baghdad, in Malaya, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, 101 Squadron has endured tragedy and sacrifice while carving more than its fair share of glory.
Originally a night bomber squadron, formed on the 12 July 1917 at South Farnborough, the Squadron it was reformed on 1 May 1984 as an Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) Squadron at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, flying the VC10 K2 AAR tanker aircraft.
In August 1990 Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait saw 101 Squadron VC10 tankers rapidly deploy in support of RAF combat aircraft to the Gulf.
By January 1991 all nine 101 Squadron VC10 tankers were based in Saudi Arabia. Op DESERT STORM commenced at 16 Jan 1991 and five VC10s launched from King Khalid Airport (Riyadh) in Saudi Arabia that night in support of RAF Tornado GR Mk1s.
Today some of those who served on the squadron during Op DESERT STORM are still there or have returned
The Allied Air Offensive against Iraqi targets commenced at around midnight with substantial RAF participation. It continued throughout the day with Tornado GR1 and Jaguar aircraft flying attack missions against Iraqi targets. Tornado F3 aircraft mounted a continuous combat air patrol close to the Saudi/Iraqi/Kuwait borders. Victor and VC10 aircraft provided air to air refuelling facilities. Nimrod aircraft flew sorties in support of naval operations in the Persian Gulf. All the aircraft returned safely with the exception of two Tornado GR1s. The Tornado GR1s successfully delivered JP233, 1000lb bombs and ALARM missiles for the suppression of enemy air defences. The Jaguars delivered 1000lb bombs.
The scene was set for the start of 101 Squadron's support to nearly 19 years of operations
In total 101 Squadron flew 381 AAR missions during the DESERT STORM Gulf War air campaign, refuelling British, French, Australian, Canadian and American aircraft.
Between 1992 and 1997, it flew over 1200 sorties supporting Operation WARDEN missions over Northern Iraq. In May 1997 the Operation WARDEN detachment was redeployed from Incirlik in Turkey to Muharraq in Bahrain in support of Operation JURAL (later Operation BOLTON) missions over Southern Iraq. Tensions began to build in the Gulf as Saddam Hussein tested the will of the allied coalition and in December 1998 101 Squadron crews supported the Operation DESERT FOX air strikes on Iraqi air defence targets.
The new Millennium brought new threats, and the crisis shifted back to Iraq in 2003 and 101 Squadron crews were heavily involved in the Operation TELIC invasion and final overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime. The considerable AAR experience of 101 Squadron crews at this time, gained over 12 years of continuous deployment in the Middle East, paid dividends with a 100% sortie success rate.
Despite sandstorms and damage from hostile fire, 101 Squadron crews also helped evacuate over 1000 casualties to hospitals in Cyprus.
The then Air Commodore (now Air Vice Marshall (AVM)) Mike Harwood
summarised people's feelings well:
"As an airman you
always want to do more if you can but all the time you're
trying to find better ways to do things. We've learned to
innovate because if you don't, you will lose. Even with a
small amount you eek it out, and its terrific watching what all
the characters do with what they have."
"Each role that we perform, from command and control to Intelligence gathering, air transport, the tankers, strike forces, all sorts of different types of aeroplanes, its one hell of a challenge. I think we contribute enough; if we could do more we would, but we do what we must."
The successful conclusion of the Coalition efforts in Iraq in 2003 did not mean an end to the tanker force's contribution in the Middle East. Indeed, 101 Squadron would continue to maintain a footprint in the Middle East, providing AAR support for missions over Iraq (Operation TELIC) and over Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK). Two VC10 aircraft were left in the Gulf and, by 2005, those aircraft and crews had moved to Al Udeid Air Base to continue their mission. With Tornado GR4s and other Coalition would-be receivers in daily action over the skies of Iraq, demand for refuelling remained understandably high.
The more recent tempo of operations and role of the VC10 in the Middle East are explained by one of the many VC10 Detachment Commanders that have undertaken the role at Al Udeid. Squadron Leader Andy Scott, a flight engineer by trade and a man who took part in the very first 101 Squadron missions in Operation GRANBY gives an insight into the current 101 Squadron role in theatre.
He said: "We're here primarily to support the Tornado GR4s but we also refuel US Navy aircraft from the carrier ships - it's an important job because without the air to air refuelling the (Tornado) guys couldn't stay on station for very long, which means they would have to keep landing and refuelling and that would give them a lot less time to carry out their tasks supporting the guys on the ground."
Sqn Ldr Scott said: "101 Squadron have actually had aircraft in the Gulf since 1990, either supporting the northern and southern no fly zones when we were involved in that, and since the conflict in 2003 we've been out here continuously supporting coalition aircraft."
The recent draw down of British forces in Iraq has posed a question mark over whether the VC10 will continue to maintain a presence in the Middle East. The view of 101 Squadron is best summarised by that of its present Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Steve Lushington.
He said: "The last 18 years have shown the incredible capability and versatility of the VC10 force. Circumstances naturally change; we stand ready to provide our world renowned service and go to wherever it is required. We look forward to the future and hope to further contribute to the illustrious and enviable record of 101 Squadron."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. In the UK all VC10 aircraft are based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
2. For stills and imagery of the VC10s please go to http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
3. For further information please contact MOD Press Office 020 7218 3254 or 020 72187950
