The Pathfinders, a highly specialised troop unit from the 16 Air Assault Brigade of the British Army, jumped from an RAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft at altitude of 12,000 feet over the Rapla Air Base in Estonia.
According to a recent press release, “the Pathfinders will jump ahead of everyone else to scout out enemy positions, mark drop zones and work with the main body of troops with tactical intelligence and offensive action support.”
The RAF’s C-17 Globemaster, part of the Air Mobility Force operated by the 99 Squadron, played an indispensable role in this operation. The aircraft commenced its mission from RAF Brize Norton, covering a distance of approximately 1,200 miles (as the crow flies) to reach Rapla.
After successfully locating the drop zone, the aircraft facilitated the Pathfinder’s dispatch, a task overseen by a Parachute Jump Instructor from the RAF’s Airborne Delivery Wing.
This operation emphasises the RAF’s interoperability and highlights the critical role of the C-17 Globemaster.
Exercise Swift Response 23, which began on 7 May, represents the first of three major US-led military exercises. These exercises are set to fortify NATO’s deterrence and readiness across the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions.
The UK is joined by several countries in these exercises, including the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the United States.
I did the exercise element of my cadre cse in the middle of Sennelager training area. where we took it in turns to be squad leader. This one night we are tabbing from A to B when one of the pack informed the squad leader that we were going in the wrong direction. He then went on to explain by using the stars to point out the 4 major points of the compass and as we had all huddled around the map during the Chinese parliament phase, he knew what direction we should be heading, it just happened this wasn’t it. He was right.
Surely something from the MC130 family would be more appropriate for this role. Given the EW suite would give a degree of hope for survivability on an operational mission against a credible enemy. That would of course involve the right kit for the job being purchased. Of course no UK government is going to do that.
100% agree.
Ben Wallace spoke the usual drivel in Parliament the other day. Atlas, C17, can do these roles, but should not have to, as the Herc or a smaller type is more suited.
It is like a QEC Carrier doing a Rivers Fishery Protection role.
Agreed.
C-17 can take 102 paras; a C-130 can take 64.
If the load-out was just PF platoon, then C-17 was completely over-sized for the task.
Presumably as they are doing a fast and high parachute insertion rather than a conventional jump. 12,000 feet is borderline HALO Jump territory which starts at 15,000 feet.
“ It is like a QEC Carrier doing a Rivers Fishery Protection role.”
I’d pay money to see that.
It draught might be a small issue?
😆True, but one gets my meaning. Why use a huge asset for a handful of SF or PP?
Er the raf would have had relevant tasks to do aswell, so fitting in some forward recce troops killed 2 or 3 birds with one stone, it makes sense, I’m ex Para Regt so ain’t just a blind comment
Absolutely, if that is planned then fine.
You should have a chat with Airborne. 👍
Or a river class vessel doing it. All you need for fishery protection is a police boat, you don’t need a military grade vessel with guns
Surprised there hasn’t been a story about the planned mass drop into Sudan to secure and open up the backup air field. By the sounds of things it would have been a significant operation, that got cancelled at the last moment. Although not seen how many troops and what equipment they were planning to drop.
Wow, had no idea of that. Air drop, or, more likely Airlanding after the likes of PP or the AATF ( 1 Company Group ) secured the DZ?
The article I read said that 6-800 (can’t remember which) parashoots were sent to cyprus ready for it, which would be the biggest drop since Suez.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/13/rishi-sunak-paratooper-drop-sudan/
I assume it’s legit.
Cynically speaking, would have looked bad that he’s scrapping the Hercs at the same time.
All these commitments requiring a range of RAF ATF assets that the Atlas can do and we don’t need 47 Sqns SF Hercs for….
To be fair the RAF has the hercs and so uses them, and considering about to be scrapped better to use them than use up air time on other assets.
The part we don’t know is with all these operations were there A400m available to be used or was the hercs all that was available. I doubt we will ever find out, as the media isn’t that interested and the government is interested in keeping that quiet.
The RAF used both an A400M and a Herc in the Sudan evacuation flights (C-130 brought in initial troops to secure the air base and A400M brought in armoured vehicles, troop reinforcements and the consular support staff to perform identity checks). Germans used one A400M (three were used in their initial attempt which turned back mid-flight when the ceasefire broke down) and the French used three A400M. Indians, Canadians and Australians all used one C130-J while the Indonesians used a commercial 737 from Port Sudan while South Koreans used a C-130 and Japanese a C-2 from Port Sudan. Norwegians used two C130-J while the Turks used A400M.
Main difference between the nations that used A400M and those that just used C130 was it allowed them to bring in their own vehicles.
Was more thinking from a maintance / location etc perspective. Did we have enough a400m to use if the hercs weren’t there. If we did then it’s not really a big issue, if we didnt then it’s a massive one.