Annett - Lifeline in Helmand: RAF Front-Line Air Supply in Afghanistan: 1310 Flight in Action

First published in Great Britain in 2010 by
Pen and Sword Aviation
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Pen and Sword Books Ltd
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Copyright Roger Annett 2010
ISBN: 978 1 8884 274 8
ePub ISBN: 9781844681624
PRC ISBN: 9781844681631

The right of Roger Annett to be identified as the author of this work has been
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This book is about people at war, with the focus on Royal Air Force men and women of all ranks and trades, operating alongside partner Services from many nations in combat air-supply in Afghanistan.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the conflict, the military in this narrative have taken an oath of allegiance to the Crown to do their duty, no matter what. That means long periods away from home base and loved ones, in an alien environment and among a populace where the welcome is uncertain, and where the threat of hostile fire is ever-present. And they go back time and time again.

The Americans and the British entered this theatre in 2001 and many of the air and ground crews, medics and support personnel in this story have returned there every year since. That takes a special commitment, and courage. Of course, the same or greater demands are made on the ground troops posted to this vicious and frightening battle, including those from the RAF Regiment, the Army and the Royal Marines who have contributed to this narrative. Many of them are airmen too, serving either in the supply-dropping transports, or flying in vulnerable helicopters on air-support operations.

I am hugely indebted to the serving men and women who have shared their experiences with me for this book. My special thanks go to the Boss of 27 Squadron C Flight, and the Media and Communications Officers of RAF Odiham and Lyneham, Flight Lieutenants Leigh Shaughnessy and Louise Daly all three exceptionally helpful in getting the project started and completed. Thanks are also due to their chiefs at Air Command and the Ministry of Defence for their assistance in steering the book through the hoops of contractual and other processes. One of those was Group Captain Andy Turner, who not only contributed the Foreword, but also, along with the Boss, my son and my painstaking wife, kindly took the time to read and edit the manuscript in draft.

Roger Annett

Roger Annetts Lifeline in Helmand is a vivid account of one of the most challenging operations that has been undertaken by the UK in the contemporary past. Set in one of the most beautiful and beguiling parts of the world, among an ancient and honourable people and pitched against an illusive, fleeting and tenacious enemy who is not particularly disposed to respect either the Geneva Convention or the Law of Armed Conflict, the trade in blood and treasure is tangible, but the purpose is deeply honourable.

Operation Herrick, the UK Governments name for military operations in Afghanistan, blends the very best of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force into a tight-knit force under the command of NATO. The endeavours of the UK Armed Forces are more often than not audacious, but always highly courageous, where the enemy is constantly battered, bruised and always kept on the back foot. While the kinetic tit-for-tat has the international medias interest, our focus is not the enemy but the population for whom peace, stability and self-determination, which have so rarely been tasted, are deeply sought.

In this dusty mle, the unparalleled bravery and energy of the men of 42 Commando Royal Marines stands out a mile. The marching motto that there is nothing that a small band of determined men cannot achieve rubs off and acts as a talisman and a sort of moral compass for the RAF Chinook and Hercules Forces deployed in Afghanistan. It drives our tenacity to get essential food, water, ammunition and fuel into the remote and sometimes isolated forward bases, it is a critical impetus when on immediate-response standby to extract casualties, it propels the planning of deliberate operations at the vanguard of Task Force Helmands operational design and it drives the RAF machine at Odiham and Lyneham to maximize Chinook and Hercules effort in the field.

In Lifeline in Helmand Roger Annett has captured all of this, in a style that shines a light on a very great deal of detail of daily life. The narrative tracks a small group of Chinook crews, who will ultimately adopt the prestigious mantle of 1310 Flight on arrival in the Stan, from the early part of 2009, and follows them through their tour of duty. It starts as they transition through their pre-deployment training in Scotland, follows them along the Airbridge into theatre and reflects on their trials and tribulations throughout their tour. It sets out their feelings and thoughts, the bravery and self-doubt, and is a window on their raw ability to pilot and crew the mighty Wokka around the dusty high-altitude deserts of Southern Afghanistan. It is an honest account of life on the front line, drawing the reader into the cockpit and across the deserts of Helmand, but above all it is an important account of the bravery and courage of the crews of the UK Chinook Force.

Group Captain A.M. Turner

OBE MSc BA MRAeS RAF

Officer Commanding RAF Odiham

UK Chinook Force Commander