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This is the Operation Herrick order of battle, which lists the British forces that have taken part in the duration of Operation Herrick between 2002 and 2014

Ground Forces

Operation Herrick began in 2002 on the end of Operation Fingal, which saw Britain hand command of the ISAF force to Turkey. At that point, the deployment was scaled back from 2,100 to approximately 300, primarily concerned with security in Kabul, and manning the UK Afghan National Army Training Team (UKANATT). In 2003, the deployment in Kabul was expanded to battalion size when two Provincial Reconstruction Teams were established, along with a rapid reaction force, based around a light role infantry battalion, the Afghanistan Roulement Infantry Battalion (ARIB). In January 2006, the Government announced that, due to the worsening situation in the south of Afghanistan, a brigade sized formation numbering approximately 3,300, Task Force Helmand, would be deployed to Helmand Province.[1]

Operation Herrick

April 2004 - September 2004:

Operation Herrick I

October 2004 - March 2005:

Operation Herrick II

April 2005 - September 2005:

Operation Herrick III

October 2005 - March 2006:

Operation Herrick IV

April 2006 – September 2006:

Principle Manoeuvre Unit

ANA & ANP Mentoring

Logistics HQ

Other units

Royal Artillery

Royal Engineers

Royal Logistic Corps

Royal Signals

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Royal Army Medical Corps

Royal Military Police

Theatre Reserve Battalion

Operation Herrick V

October 2006 - April 2007:[6]

ANA & ANP Mentoring

Logistics HQ

Other units

Operation Herrick VI

April 2007 – October 2007:[8]

ANA & ANP Mentoring

Other units

In February 2007, it was announced that an additional 1,400 troops would be deployed to Afghanistan, primarily formed as a battlegroup around a light infantry battalion, the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers).
*Renamed as 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) 01/09/07

Operation Herrick VII

November 2007 - April 2008:[10][11]

ANA & ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick VIII

May 2008 – October 2008:[17]

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

  • Police Reform Cell
  • Royal Military Police - Police Mentoring Team (PMT)

Other units

*Elements of the Theatre Reserve Battalion, 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) were deployed in support of both 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade

Operation Herrick IX

November 2008 - April 2009:[19]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick X

May 2009 – October 2009:[20]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick XI

November 2009 - April 2010:[21][22]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

In October 2009, the total force was increased to 9,000 personnel with the addition of several other units:

Operation Herrick XII

May 2010 - October 2010:[23]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick XIII

November 2010 - April 2011:[25]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick XIV

May – October 2011:[26][27]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick XV

November 2011 - April 2012:[29][30]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

  • PMAG
  • 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Other units

Operation Herrick XVI

May 2012 - October 2012:[31]

  • Deputy Commander, International Security Assistance Force: Major-General Adrian Bradshaw (May 2012 to September 2012)[2]
  • Deputy Commander, International Security Assistance Force: Major-General Nick Carter (September 2012 to October 2012)[2]
  • HQ 12 Mechanised Brigade

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick XVII

November 2012 - April 2013:[33]

  • Deputy Commander, International Security Assistance Force: Major-General Nick Carter (November 2012 to April 2013)[2]
  • HQ 4th Mechanized Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (204)
  • HQ 104 Logistic Support Brigade

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

  • 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
  • Elements of The Honourable Artillery Company
  • Elements of The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry
  • Elements of 6th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
  • Elements of 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
  • Elements of 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
  • Elements of 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment
  • Elements of The London Regiment

Royal Artillery

Royal Engineers

  • 21 Engineer Regiment RE
  • Elements of 28 Engineer Regiment
  • Elements of 36 Engineer Regiment (Search)
  • Elements of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic)
  • Elements of 75 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers)
  • Elements of 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
  • Elements of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group

Royal Logistic Corps

Royal Signals

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Medical

  • 3 Medical Regiment
  • Elements of 204 (Northern Irish) Field Hospital (Volunteers)
  • Elements of 243 (Wessex) Field Hospital (Volunteers)
  • Elements of Tactical Medical Wing, RAF

Law enforcement

  • 150 Provost Company, Royal Military Police
  • Elements of 101 Provost Company Royal Military Police
  • Elements of 5th Regiment Royal Military Police
  • Elements of Special Investigations Branch (United Kingdom)
  • Elements of The Military Provost Staff

Other units

  • Elements of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment
  • Elements of 1 Military Intelligence Battalion
  • Elements of 2 Military Intelligence (Exploitation) Battalion
  • Elements of 4 Military Intelligence Battalion
  • Elements of The Military Stabilisation and Support Group
  • Elements of 15 Psychological Operations Group
  • Elements of The Defence Cultural Specialist Unit
  • Elements of 90 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of 1 Air Control Centre, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of 33 (Engineering) Squadron, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of Tactical Supply Wing, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of 1 Air Mobility Wing, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of 2 (Mechanical Transport) Squadron, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of 93 (Expeditionary Armaments) Squadron, Royal Air Force
  • Elements of Engineering and Logistics Wing, Royal Air Force Odiham

Operation Herrick XVIII

May 2013 – October 2013:[34][35]

Principle Manoeuvre Units

ANA Mentoring

ANP Mentoring

Other units

Operation Herrick XIX

November 2013 - June 2014:[36]

Operation Herrick XX

June 2014 - December 2014:[37]

Kabul Support Unit

Royal Air Force Regiment at Kandahar Airfield

British aircraftmen from B Flight, 27 Squadron, RAF Regiment take a break whilst on a combat misson near Kandahar Airfield, 2 January 2010

The Royal Air Force Regiment uses a variety of vehicles including Pinzgauer Vector's and WMIK's to externally protect Kandahar Airfield:

Bastion Force Protection Wing

  • OP H 4 (May – November 2006)
  • OP H 5 (November 2006 - April 2007)
  • OP H 6 (April 2007 - October 2007)
  • OP H 7 (October 2007 - April 2008)
  • OP H 8 (April 2008 - October 2008)
  • OP H 9 (October 2008 - April 2009)
  • OP H 10 (April 2009 - October 2009)
  • OP H 11 (October 2009 - April 2010)
  • OP H 12 (April 2010 - October 2010)
  • OP H 13 (October 2010 - April 2011)
  • OP H 14 (April 2011 - October 2011)
  • OP H 15 (October 2011 - April 2012)
  • OP H 16 (April 2012 - October 2012)
    • No. 5 Force Protection Wing
      • Wing Headquarters
      • 51 Squadron RAF Regiment
      • Elements of 2622 (Highland) Squadron RAuxAF Regiment
    • No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron
    • Soldiers from the Tongan Defence Service
    • Elements of 16th Regiment Royal Artillery
  • OP H 17 (October 2012 - April 2013)
  • OP H 18 (April 2013 – October 2013)
  • OP H 19 (October 2013 - June 2014)
  • OP H 20 (June 2014 - December 2014)

RAF Regiment

Logistic Support

Supporting the UK force is HQ Joint Force Support (Afghanistan)(JFSp(A)). This 1* headquarters has commands the:

  • Theatre Logistics Group
    • Joint Movements Unit
    • Reverse Supply Chain Squadron
    • Reverse Support Chain Squadron
    • Vehicle Replenishment Section
  • Theatre Provost Group
  • Theatre Medical Group
  • Theatre Equipment Support Group
    • Joint Helicopter Support Unit
    • Equipment Support Company
    • Redeployment Platoon

It also includes elements of the Engineer Group, coordinated by the Joint Force Engineer.[citation needed]

These force elements are split between Kandahar Airfield and Camp Bastion.

Aerial Assets

Mixed operators

The Westland Lynx AH.7/9/9A was used in Afghanistan by both the Army Air Corps and the Fleet Air Arm. With the Army Air Corps (AAC) it was operated by both 1 and 9 Regiments and with the Fleet Air Arm it was only used by 847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS).

The first unit to use the Lynx AH.9A was 672 Squadron/9 Regiment AAC.

The Lynx was also used by the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing of which 657 Squadron was part of. The squadron was deployed to Kandahar at least once during 2014 where one of its Lynxes was lost with along with the entire crew.[42]

Year January - May May - September September - January
2006
2007 3 Regt AAC
2008 847 NAS[43]
2009 847 NAS[43]
2010 672 Sqn/9 Regt AAC[44] 659/9 Regt AAC
2011 847 NAS[43]
2012 1 Regt AAC
2013 847 NAS[45] 661/1 Regt AAC[45]
2014

Army Air Corps

The Army Air Corps operated the AgustaWestland AH.1 Apache and the Westland Lynx AH.7/9/9A in Afghanistan.

The AgustaWestland AH.1 Apache was operated by 3, 4 and pre September 2007 9 Regiment

Year January - May May - September September - January
2006 N/A 656 Sqn/9 Regt 664/9 Regt
2007 656/9 Regt 664/9 Regt 662/3 Regt
2008 663/3 Regt 664/4 Regt 654/4 Regt
2009 656/4 Regt 662/3 Regt 663/3 Regt
2010 653/3 Regt[46] 664/4 Regt 654/4 Regt
2011 662/3 Regt 663/3 Regt 653/3 Regt[47]
2012 654/4 Regt[48] 664/4 Regt[48] 662/3 Regt[49]
2013 663/3 Regt 653/3 Regt[50] 654/4 Regt[51]
2014 664/4 Regt[52] 664/4 Regt 662/3 Regt

Royal Air Force

The air component of British forces assigned to Operation Herrick was based at both Kandahar Airfield under 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (904 EAW) and Camp Bastion under 903 EAW.

In August 2004, the Ministry of Defence announced that 6 Royal Air Force British Aerospace Harrier GR.7 jets from No. 3 Squadron would deploy to Afghanistan, marking the first time RAF ground-attack jets have been deployed to the country with them fully arriving by September.

  • Harrier detachment (Joint Force Harrier):[53]
    • No. 3 Squadron RAF from September until December 2004.
    • No. 1 Squadron RAF from December 2004 until April 2005.
    • No. 4 Squadron RAF from April until July 2005.
    • 3 Sqn from July until October 2005.
    • 4 Sqn from October until December 2005.
    • 1 Sqn from December 2005 until May 2006.
    • 4 Sqn from May until September 2006.
  • During 2007 the GR.9A variant was introduced
    • 1 Sqn from January 2007 until June.
    • 4 Sqn from June until October 2007.
    • 4 Sqn from February 2008 until April.
    • 1 Sqn from April until August 2008.
    • 4 Sqn from December 2008 until April 2009.
    • 1 Sqn from April until June 2009 (Last British Harrier Squadron in Afghanistan).
  • No. 1419 Flight RAF - The support helicopter force consisted of 5 AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3 helicopters with crews rotated from the two RAF squadrons between October 2009 and May 2013.
  • Tornado detachment (Jun 09 - 11 Dec 14) - Eight Tornado GR4 aircraft were stationed at Kandahar tasked with providing close air support to British, Coalition and ISAF ground forces. These replaced the Joint Force Harrier aircraft - eight Harrier GR9
  • Hercules detachment (6 Apr 06 - 14 Nov 14)[58] - Five C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from RAF Brize Norton (formerly RAF Lyneham) were also stationed at Kandahar and Camp Bastion to provide troop and supply movement capability in Helmand and wider Afghanistan. Three aircraft were C-130K models and two were C-130J, with crews taken from all four RAF Hercules squadrons:
  • No. 1310 Flight RAF (Apr 06 - 12 Dec 14) - The support helicopter force consisted of 8 Chinook HC.2/4 helicopters with crews rotated from the three RAF squadrons, based at KAF with most forward deployed at Bastion:
  • UAV Detachment - 3 x MQ-9 Reaper were introduced to Kandahar during October 2007.
  • 1 Air Mobility Wing (1 AMW) is a specialist unit of the RAF trained in the loading and unloading of transport aircraft. This unit operated in conjunction with the Hercules detachment.
  • Tactical Medical Wing - The TMW provided RAF medical services to all forces, and is particularly adept in the field of aeromedical evacuation.
  • Mobile Meteorological Unit - Providing weather forecasting and reporting services to aircrew and commanders.
  • 47 Air Despatch Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps - 47 AD Squadron is a specialist unit trained in the receipt, loading and preparing of stores by both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

Fleet Air Arm

Elements of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm squadrons regularly rotated with each tour.

The ASaC7 version of the Westland Sea King has been in use in Afghanistan since May 2009.[61]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "3 Para soldiers on their way to Afghanistan". Ministry of Defence. 3 May 2006. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 3 May 2006 suggested (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Army Commands" (PDF). Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d "Operation Herrick: Campaign study" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Easy Company is withdrawn from Musa Qala, Helmand". The Royal Irish. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d McNab 2009, p. 7.
  6. ^ "Handover in Helmand as 3 Cdo Brigade replace 16 Air Assault Brigade". Ministry of Defence. 9 October 2006.
  7. ^ "Light Dragoons gear up for Afghan deployment". Ministry of Defence. 22 September 2006.
  8. ^ "12 Mechanized Brigade to replace 3 Commando Brigade". Ministry of Defence. 1 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 5 February 2007 suggested (help)
  9. ^ a b "Tour of duty - the troops return". The Daily Telegraph. 26 September 2007.
  10. ^ "52 Infantry Brigade to replace 12 Mechanized Brigade in Afghanistan". Ministry of Defence. 19 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 24 July 2007 suggested (help)
  11. ^ "Afghanistan: Roulement". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 19 July 2007.
  12. ^ a b Coldstream 2016, p. 59.
  13. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 66.
  14. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 55.
  15. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 44.
  16. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 70.
  17. ^ "16 Air Assault Brigade to replace 52 Infantry Brigade". Ministry of Defence. 6 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 12 February 2008 suggested (help)
  18. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 81.
  19. ^ "3 Commando Brigade to replace 16 Air Assault in Afghanistan". Ministry of Defence. 8 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 8 July 2008 suggested (help)
  20. ^ "19 Light Brigade to replace 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, in Afghanistan". Ministry of Defence. 16 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 17 December 2008 suggested (help)
  21. ^ "11 Light Brigade to replace 19 Light Brigade in Afghanistan". Ministry of Defence. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 16 July 2009 suggested (help)
  22. ^ "Afghanistan". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 15 July 2009. col. 79–82.
  23. ^ "4th Mechanized Brigade to replace 11 Light Brigade in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 21 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 18 January 2011 suggested (help)
  24. ^ a b c d "Royal Marines speak of 'horrible' reality of life on patrol in Afghanistan". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  25. ^ "16 Air Assault Brigade to replace 4th Mechanized Brigade in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 14 July 2010.
  26. ^ "3 Commando Brigade Take Command Of Task Force Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 11 April 2011.
  27. ^ "3 Commando Brigade to replace 16 Air Assault Brigade in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 17 December 2010.
  28. ^ "First HERRICK 14 unit leaves Afghanistan". Ministry of Defence. 30 August 2011.
  29. ^ "20th Armoured Brigade takes command of Task Force Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 10 October 2011.
  30. ^ "20th Armoured Brigade to replace 3 Commando Brigade in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 13 July 2011.
  31. ^ "12th Mechanised Brigade to replace 20th Armoured Brigade in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 9 February 2012.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "RC – Southwest - Task Force Helmand". International Security Assistance Force(ISAF). 19 April 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  33. ^ "4th Mechanized Brigade to replace 12th Mechanized Brigade in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 11 July 2012.
  34. ^ "1st Mechanized Brigade takes over in Helmand". Ministry of Defence. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  35. ^ "Units to deploy as part of Herrick 18 announced". Ministry of Defence. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  36. ^ "Op Herrick 19 - 7th Armoured Brigade in Helmand". Defence Viewpoints. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  37. ^ "UK forces in theatre (from June 2014)". MoD. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  38. ^ "Operation Herrick XX: Operational Guide" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  39. ^ Coldstream 2016, p. 189.
  40. ^ March 2008, p. 9.
  41. ^ "5 Force Protection Wing". RAF. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Army's most skilled pilots among five killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  43. ^ a b c "RNAS Yeovilton 847 squadron deployed to Afghanistan". BBC. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  44. ^ "Lynx Mk9A on Op Herrick Afghanistan". LZDZ. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  45. ^ a b "847 Lynx fliers complete final Afghan duty". Royal Navy. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  46. ^ "Wattisham Army Air Corps regiments in Afghanistan". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  47. ^ "653 Squadron, 3 Regt AAC Operation Herrick 14: A Ground Crew Perspective". The Eagle. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  48. ^ a b "Diamond welcome for troops back from Afghanistan". MoD. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  49. ^ "UK's Prince Harry deployed to Afghanistan". CNN. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  50. ^ "Sailors help give the Army's Apaches wings in Afghanistan". Royal Navy. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  51. ^ "Corby airtrooper embarks on final training exercise before deployment". Northampton Herald and Post. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  52. ^ "Apache flies 50,000 hours on operations in Afghanistan". MoD. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  53. ^ a b Herrick Harriers. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. 2009. p. 17.
  54. ^ a b AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. September 2013. p. 27.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  55. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2014. p. 27.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  56. ^ a b AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. July 2014. p. 7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  57. ^ "RAF Tornados leave Afghanistan for the last time". MoD. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  58. ^ "RAF Hercules Detachment Leaves Afghanistan". RAF. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  59. ^ March 2008, p. 8.
  60. ^ a b "Navy Sea Kings complete Afghanistan mission". MoD. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  61. ^ "Sea Kings help seize massive drugs and explosive hauls". Royal Navy. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  62. ^ "Operations in Afghanistan: Chronology of Events". MoD. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  63. ^ "Latest deployment of UK forces to Afghanistan announced". MoD. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  64. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. October 2014. p. 33.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  65. ^ "Baggers get back to sea". Royal Navy. Retrieved 17 September 2014.

Bibliography

  • Guards, Coldstream (2016). 10 Years in Afghanistan. UK: Coldstream Guards.
  • March, P (2008). The Royal Air Force Yearbook 2008. Fairford, UK: The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • McNab, A (2009). Spoken from the front. London, UK: Transworld Publishers. ISBN 9780593064795.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
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