Deep Strike And Recon Aircraft Have Been In Service Since
1979
The RAF's ground attack Tornadoes currently serving in
Afghanistan and Libya have clocked up a staggering one million
flying hours over the course of their service. Number 617 Squadron,
'The Dambusters', took the aircraft through the landmark in
Afghanistan last week.
The RAF's deep strike and reconnaissance aircraft were first
flown by the RAF in 1979 and have been at the forefront of
operational service ever since. From its service in the Gulf
spanning 20 years and two Gulf Wars, through its operations in the
Balkans and current deployments to Afghanistan and Libya, the
Tornado has proven itself in battle time and time again.
The Tornado has a range of highly accurate precision missiles
and bombs that can destroy a vast range of targets, from aircraft
and small moving vehicles on the ground to heavily fortified
bunkers. The aircraft also has a selection of high-tech sensors
that can detect hostile forces, pass live day and night video to
troops on the ground, and take detailed reconnaissance pictures, as
they have done over Helmand province and Libya.
"This impressive milestone is testament not only to the Tornado
as a cutting-edge military aircraft but also to the skill and
professionalism of the RAF aircrew, engineers and support staff who
have supported it in service for more than 30 years, and who
continue to deliver its world-leading ground attack and
reconnaissance capabilities today in Libya and Afghanistan," said
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox.
"Tornado has been used to deny enemy airfields and strike their
hardware and infrastructure, enforce no-fly zones, provide close
air support to troops on the ground, and it continues to be a
world-leading combat intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft in Afghanistan and Libya," said Chief of the Air Staff,
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton. "The range of sophisticated
precision weapons and cutting-edge sensors Tornado carries and the
ability to grow these capabilities further will provide the Royal
Air Force with the rapid far-reaching air power it requires to
protect the nation's interests for many years to come."
The RAF has five front line Tornado squadrons, Numbers 12(B) and
617 Squadrons at RAF Lossiemouth, and Numbers II(AC), IX(B) and 31
Squadrons at RAF Marham. The Operational Conversion Unit, Number
15(R) Squadron, is also based at RAF Lossiemouth.