Allied Naval Aviation in the war against terrorism: "every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists - Shoulder To Shoulder

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, March-April, 2002 | by Mark L. Evans

With these words before Congress on 20 September 2001, President George W. Bush asked America's allies to step up and be counted. In response to the terrorist atrocities of 11 September that killed thousands, many nations are demonstrating their resolve to rid the world of terrorism. Four months after the attacks, a snapshot of the forces gathered in the Indian Ocean illustrated the most powerful concentration of allied Naval Aviation since the Arabian Gulf War in 1990-1991.

United Kingdom

"We therefore here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy and we, like them, will not rest until this evil is driven from our world." Prime Minister Tony Blair's comments on 11 September 2001 pledged Britain's unwavering support.

At the time of the attacks, British forces were already in the Indian Ocean conducting Exercise Saif Sareea (Swift Sword) II with Oman, their largest deployment since the Gulf War. These forces immediately supported U.S. strikes against Afghanistan with the British Operation Veritas (Latin for "truth").

Approximately 4,200 personnel are currently in theater. Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force (RAF) commands include:

Carrier HMS Illustrious (R 06) can operate either eight Sea Harrier FA 2s and eight Harrier GR 7s; a rotary-wing complement of four Sea King AEW 2s and two Sea King HAS Mk 6s or Merlin HM Mk1s; or a combination of all three. Embarked are 820 and 845 Squadrons, supported by "flights" (detachments).

Assault ship HMS Fearless (L 10) has two Lynx AH Mk 3 helos and two Gazelle AH Mk 1s from 847 Squadron on board. Between one and three destroyers and frigates each embark one to two Lynx Mk 3 or Mk 8 helos or two Sea Kings. The Lynx on destroyer HMS Southampton (D 90) is from 815 Squadron 211 Flight.

Replenishment ship RFA Fort Victoria (A 387) can operate five Sea Kings or Merlins, and RFA Fort Rosalie (A 385) four Sea Kings. Repair ship RFA Diligence (A 132) can carry one Chinook HC 1. Landing ships RFA Sir Percivale (L 3036) and RFA Sir Tristram (L 3505) can operate either one Chinook, Gazelle, Lynx or Sea King.

Shore-based RAF aircraft supporting naval operations include VC-10 C 1 K/K3-4 tankers from 10 or 101 Squadrons; Tristar K1/KC1 tankers from 216 Squadron; E-3D Sentry AEW1s from 8 or 23 Squadrons; Nimrod R1s from 51 Squadron; Nimrod MR2s from 120, 201 or 206 Squadrons; Canberra PR9s from 39 Squadron; and C-130J-K C1/C3-5 Hercules from 24, 30, 47 or 70 Squadrons.

Australia

On 16 October, the day after President Bush's request to Prime Minister John Howard, the prime minister formally announced Australia's commitment to the war against terrorism.

A total of 1,550 Australian personnel are deployed, including aviation elements:

Two frigates, each capable of embarking two S-70B-2 Seahawks (an SH-60F derivative) or one Seahawk and one AS 350B Squirrel helo.

Amphibious troop ship HMAS Kanimbla (L51), former U.S. tank landing ship Saginaw (LST 1188). Kanimbla has been modified to accommodate either four Black Hawks, three Sea King HAS 50/50As or one Chinook.

Royal Australian Air Force support comprises four F/A-18A Hornets(also known as AF-18As), two P-3C/Update II Orions, two KB-707 tankers and one C-130 Hercules. Air defense for these commands while deployed ashore, primarily at Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T., is provided by the 16th Air Defense Regiment. Naval aircraft are deployed from squadrons HC-723, HS-748, HS-816 or HS-817.

Canada

Canadian support was offered immediately following the terrorist attacks, and on 7 October Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced Operation Apollo, Canada's contribution to the coalition.

More than 3,000 members of the Canadian forces are already committed or have been alerted for possible deployment, including aviation elements:

One destroyer, capable of operating two CH-124A or B Heltas Sea Kings; three frigates, each capable of embarking one Heltas Sea King; and one replenishment ship, HMCS Preserver (510), able to carry three Heltas Sea Kings.

Canadian Air Force support includes three CC-130 Hercules (ready to deploy), two CP-140 Aurora maritime aircraft (ready to deploy) and one CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A310) airlifter from 8 Wing Trenton.

In addition, aviation assets are assigned to Operation Support, providing emergency response and humanitarian assistance to Canada's allies.

France

The French offered immediate assistance from warships already in the Indian Ocean, followed on 1 December by notice of their reinforcement by Operation Heracles, the intended deployment of Task Force 473.

Over 3,000 personnel carrier involved, including aviation elements:

Nuclear-powered carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91), embarking 16 Super Etendard strike and reconnaissance aircraft, 10 Rafale M interceptors, two E-2C Group 2 Hawkeyes and one or more escadrilles (similar to dets) of at least two AS 565MA Panther helos, though additional helos can be temporarily accommodated. Embarked flottilles (comparable to squadrons) include 11F and 17F (Super Etendards), 12F (Rafales) and 4F (Hawkeyes).