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HMS
Ark Royal is capable of operating
the new Merlin helicopter
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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RAF
Chinook helicopters are also
embarked in Ark Royal
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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HMS
Liverpool and her Type 42 sisterships
provide air defence cover
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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RAF
Jaguars, upgraded to the GR3 standard,
have potent attack and
reconnaissance capabilities
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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Royal
Fleet Auxiliaries such as Fort Austin
provide essential support
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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The
Tornado F3 is being deployed for
air defence duties, armed with AMRAAM,
ASRAAM, Sidewinder and Sky Flash missiles
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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RAF
E-3D Sentry AEW1 aircraft provide
airborne early warning, surveillance, and
command & control capabilities
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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The
Irish Guards gained valuable experience
operating their Warrior vehicles in the
Gulf during Exercise Saif Sareaa II in
2001
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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The
all-terrain BV206 vehicles of
3 Commando Brigade are equally at home
in the desert as they are in the arctic
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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The
Tristar tanker force allows combat
aircraft to be deployed rapidly around
the world
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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RAF
tankers, such as this VC-10, are
also able to refuel US Navy and Marine
Corps aircraft, such as this Prowler
during a patrol of the Iraqi No Fly Zones
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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The
Harrier GR7 has recently
been upgraded to carry Maverick precision
attack missiles
(Click
here for hi-res version)
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The Defence Secretary outlined
on 7 and 20 January, and 6 February the deployment of
substantial maritime, land and air packages to provide
a broad range of military capabilities for potential
operations against Iraq. Overall, some 45,000 personnel
are involved.
Naval Task Group 2003,
which had long been planned to deploy via the Mediterranean
and Gulf en route to the Far East for participation
in Exercise Flying Fish, was augmented to provide
a significant maritime and amphibious capability. The
Task Group comprises:
The amphibious force numbered
some 4,000 and included:
Some 14 other Royal Navy
and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels have also involved
in the operation, including:
The land force numbers
some 26,000. The primary units deployed in whole or
in part include:
1(UK) Armoured Division:
7th Armoured Brigade:
16 Air Assault Brigade:
102 Logistics Brigade:
The air component deployed
on Operation Telic numbers about 100 fixed-wing
aircraft and 27 support helicopters, supported by some
7,000 personnel. Aircraft types involved include:
- Sentry
AEW1 command & control aircraft (from 8 and
23 Sqns)
- Tornado
GR4 bomber/reconnaissance aircraft (from 2, 9,
12, 31 and 617 Sqns)
- Jaguar
GR3 attack/reconnaissance aircraft (from 6, 41
and 54 Sqns)
- Harrier
GR7 attack aircraft (from 1, 3 and 4 Sqns)
- Tornado
F3 air defence aircraft (from 43 and 111 Sqns)
- VC-10
tanker aircraft (from 10 and 101 Sqns)
- Tristar
tanker aircraft (from 216 Sqn)
- C-17
transport aircraft (from 99 Sqn)
- Hercules
transport aircraft (from 24, 30, 47 and 70 Sqns)
- Nimrod
aircraft (from 51, 120, 201 and 206 Sqn)
- Canberra
PR9 reconnaissance aircraft (from 39 (1PRU) Sqn)
- Chinook
helicopters (from 7, 18 and 27 Sqns)
- Puma
helicopters (from 33 Sqn)
RAF Regiment units provide
ground defence for the force. The Army's 21
Signal Regiment provides communications support
for the Joint Helicopter Force.
ARCHIVE
OF UK FORCES IN THEATRE
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