Lifeline in Helmand: RAF Front-Line Air Supply in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is the theater where 1310 Flight’s role is to provide the heavy-lift support helicopter element within the British Forces’ Joint Helicopter Command. Its Headquarters are at Wilton because the unit reports to British Land Forces HQ, meaning that the Operational Command of its RAF personnel lies with the Army. RAF Odiham in Hampshire offers the Flight the largest fleet of Chinooks outside the US Army. Currently, eight of those machines are detached to Afghanistan at any one time, within the International Security Assistance Force.

This book explains how 1310 Flight practice and prepare the replacement crews for their tour in Helmand, the most difficult combat zone experienced by the British since World War II. It also contains firsthand accounts and photographs of operational experience during a tour in the battle zone.

The outline for the contents is as follows:

Chapter 1-Crew’s eye view–bad-weather training sortie in Scottish Highlands: Chapter 2-Towards the Airbridge: Chapter 3-Afghanistan, Theatre of Conflict: A history of the troubled country: Chapter 4-Kandahar Arrival: Chapter 5-Forward to Camp Bastion: 1310 Flight forward with Immediate Response Team: Chapter 6 -1310 Flight Into Action: Crews’ eye views of early missions for 1310 Flight.: Chapter 7-Air-drop: Chapter 8-Command and Control: Joint Helicopter Command Afghanistan: Chapter 9-Half-way Through: Crew’s eye view of Chinook 3-ship troop-insertion mission in Green Zone: Chapter 10- Meanwhile, Back Home: RAF Odiham and Lyneham base support: Chapter 11-Final Days: Further crews’ eye views with the end in sight: Wrapping up: Chapter 12-Return to Odiham of ‘C’ Flight by various routes and means.