TORNADO TRIBUTE // 63It was fitting that No 31 Squadron
concluded Operation Herrick in November
2014 when the squadron flew the last sortie
from Kandahar. Four-month rotations had
been covered by Nos II(AC), IX(B), 12(B),
13, 31 and 617 squadrons – employing the
latest Dual-Mode Seeker (DMS) Brimstone
missiles, Raytheon Paveway IV laser/Global
Positioning System (GPS)-guided bombs, and
the Mauser BK27 27mm cannon when kinetic
effect was the last resort. The ISR taskings
also utilised the Litening III targeting pod, as
well as the Goodrich DB-110 Reconnaissance
Airborne Pod Tornado (RAPTOR) pod.
As Herrick wound up, the then British
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon
commented: “The Tornado remains the
fast jet workhorse of the RAF and has
performed superbly over many years
in Afghanistan, supplying life-saving
intelligence and precision weapons
in support of our mission there.”Wg Cdr Richard Yates, Officer Commanding
No 31 Squadron, at that time added: “It
has been an honour to be the last squadron
of the Tornado Force’s combat mission
in Afghanistan supporting the Afghan
government and people. I am hugely proud
of my personnel who have worked tirelessly
and continued the good work of all those
who have been here before, both on the
Tornado Force and the Harrier Force.”
The last deployment marked No 31
Squadron’s fourth tour of Afghanistan.
Leading the last combat sortie was Flt Lt Oli
Payne. He was quoted in a media release: “To
lead the last sortie was a real privilege. It was
a hugely poignant day as it brought to a close
about ten years of constant fast jet operations
by the RAF in Afghanistan, so it was a big
moment for both the crews and the RAF.”
During operations in Afghanistan
Tornados flew over 33,500 hours and
conducted 600 shows of force.Above: The RAF squadrons left some unmistakeable GR4 ‘art’ at Kandahar during the Tornado’s tenure
from 2009 to 2014. Neil Dunridge Below: A GR4 gets airborne at Kandahar with the standard fi t of
Litening pod, a triple rack of DMS Brimstones and two Paveway IVs. Neil DunridgeLeft: High above Helmand Province, a Herrick
GR4 moves in for fuel from a USAF tanker. Note
that it carries the infrared countermeasures pod
on the outer wing pylon, a modifi cation of the
BOZ pod developed for the Afghanistan theatre.
USAF/MSgt William Greer Right: The Tornado GR4
detachment at Kandahar was on call around the
clock to support UK troops. Crown Copyright
AFM