United Kingdom to deploy 2 more Tornado GR4 fighter to strike IS Islamist militants in Iraq 0510141

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Defence & Security News - United Kingdom
 
 
Sunday, October 5, 2014 09:59 AM
 
United Kingdom to deploy 2 more Tornado GR4 fighter to strike IS Islamist militants in Iraq.
The British Prime Minister announced the deployment of a further 2 RAF Tornado GR4 jets to Akrotiri to increase the resilience of the force, which now numbers 8 aircraft. He also announced a decision to maintain 3 Tornado squadrons in service until March 2016. No 2 (Army Cooperation) Squadron was due to stand down from service in March 2015 but will now continue to offer precision firepower together with vital intelligence and surveillance.
     
The British Prime Minister announced the deployment of a further 2 RAF Tornado GR4 jets to Akrotiri to increase the resilience of the force, which now numbers 8 aircraft. He also announced a decision to maintain 3 Tornado squadrons in service until March 2016. No 2 (Army Cooperation) Squadron was due to stand down from service in March 2015 but will now continue to offer precision firepower together with vital intelligence and surveillance.
Imagery of RAF Tornado GR4's departing RAF Akrotiri Cyprus in support of OP SHADER on the 30 Sept 2014.
     
The new deployment of two additional RAF Tornados came as Cameron visited RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where he also met British military personnel, Downing Street said in a statement.

"Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft have been in action over Iraq" as part of international operations against IS, also known as ISIL, the statement added.

On Thursday, the first two Tornados sent by Britain had conducted a precision bomb attack on an armed IS pick-up truck in Iraq, British Ministry of Defense (MoD) said.

The precision attack on the truck, conducted overnight with a Paveway IV guided bomb, was successful, according to the MoD.

On Wednesday, the first two Tornados on patrol over northwest Iraq were tasked to assist Kurdish ground forces.

The Royal Navy has also been participating in a support role in the Middle East with warship HMS Defender having been in the Gulf since June.

The ship recently joined the international operation and is providing protection for US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H W Bush and her aircraft as they launch air strikes against ISIL targets, supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the ground.