Posted on 12/27/2009 6:35:32 PM PST by Stoat
EXCLUSIVE
Taliban Think They'll Explode As I Roar Over
Ready ... John with jet
Flight Lieutenant John Pingree and his fellow aces roar low across the ground at 600mph, creating a noise so thunderous "it feels like your ribcage is going to explode".
The manoeuvre - seen as "an aggressive show of force" - is so threatening they say it makes fanatics scurry into the hills.
John, a navigator and weapons system officer known as Pingu to his mates, said: "Nothing scares the enemy off like a Tornado.
"They are well aware of the sort of firepower we have and when they see us they don't like to engage. If you speak to the guys on the ground who we support, they feel hugely appreciative and reassured by our presence.
"The Tornado is an awesome piece of kit."
Married John, 26, from Rotherham, South Yorks, is serving with the RAF's elite 31 Squadron at Kandahar air base.
The squadron, known as The Goldstars from the design of their badge, are in the centre of the fight for Afghanistan and constantly primed for launch.
John, who is due to come home from his tough tour in mid-January, said of the 600mph low-level tactic: "It's an aggressive show of force - the roar, firepower, speed and noise keep the boys on the ground safe.
"When we come in they know our capabilities - they know what we can bring to bear if they get in trouble. This is why we are here."
The Tornado's intimidating arsenal includes the Paveway IV, a 500lb laser-guided bomb, and the Brimstone missile.
The jet also carries a one-tonne infra-red camera for covert reconnaissance missions.
John said he relished the chance to fight on the front line during Christmas, even considering himself "lucky" to be in Afghanistan.
He said: "My personal thoughts are we all miss home and we miss our families but someone has got to be out here doing the job.
"I feel lucky to be here. All my life and for the last eight years in the Royal Air Force I've been training to be on operation and now I'm doing it.
"I'm meant to do this."
YouTube - Tornado low flying vid 'Goldstars' GR
The Tornado GR4 is a variable geometry, two-seat, day or night, all-weather attack aircraft, capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons.
The GR4 can carry up to three Paveway II, two Paveway III or Enhanced Paveway Laser and Global Positioning System Guided Bombs (LGBs), and by using a Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designation (TIALD) pod it is able to self-designate targets for LGB delivery. The GR4 also has a ground-mapping radar to identify targets for the delivery of conventional 1000lb bombs and BL755 cluster bombs. All GR4 aircraft are capable of carrying the Air Launched Anti- Radiation Missile (ALARM), which homes on the emitted radiation of enemy radar systems and can be used for the suppression of enemy air defences. The GR4 is capable of carrying up to nine ALARM missiles or a mixed configuration of ALARM missiles and bombs. In the reconnaissance role the GR4 can carry the Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod to provide detailed reconnaissance imagery; this is currently being replaced with the RAPTOR pod, which provides an even greater day-and night reconnaissance potential.
For self-protection, the GR4 is normally armed with two AIM-9L Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, a BOZ-107 Pod on the right wing to dispense chaff and flares and a Sky Shadow-2 electronic countermeasures pod on the left wing. The aircraft can also carry an integral 27mm Mauser cannon capable of firing 1700 rounds per minute.
The Tornado GR4 is now equipped with the Storm Shadow missile and will soon be equipped with the new Brimstone missile. The Storm Shadow will allow the Tornado to make precision strikes in poor weather with a greatly increased stand-off range from the target area. Brimstone will provide the Tornado with an effective anti-armour weapon, also providing an enhanced stand-off range.
The Tornado GR4 is currently operated from two bases. Based at RAF Lossiemouth, in Scotland, are the Operational Conversion Unit, No. 15(R) Squadron, and Nos 12(B), 14 and 617 Squadrons. RAF Marham is the home of the GR4s of Nos II(AC), IX(B), 13 and 31 Squadrons.
In addition to its long-range, high-speed precision strike capability, including supersonic at low level with a low-level combat radius of 400nmls, the Tornado GR4 is a world leader in the specialised field of all-weather, day and night tactical reconnaissance. The new RAPTOR (Reconnaissance Airborne Pod TORnado) pod is one of the most advanced reconnaissance sensors in the world and greatly increased the effectiveness of the aircraft in the reconnaissance role. Its introduction into service gave the GR4 the ability to download real-time, long-range, oblique-photography data to ground stations or to the cockpit during a mission. The stand-off range of the sensors also allows the aircraft to remain outside heavily defended areas, thus minimising the aircraft’s exposure to enemy air-defence systems.
Some Tornado GR4s involved in Operation Telic were fitted with the RAPTOR pod and the aircraft is currently employed in the Gulf on both Close Support and Reconnaissance missions in support of Coalition Forces in Iraq.
Just a thought old chap.
L
John, old chap, The idea is to return to base with both empty ordnance hangers and empty fuel tanks, not full ordnance hangers and empty fuel tanks!
What has to be fun in this particular little skirmish, is that the enemy doesn’t have ANY aircraft. So when our guys hear jet noise, they know that friendly firepower is on the way. The bad guys equate jet noise with Oh shit! RUN!
My thoughts exactly!
Send these guys.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiHmYsyVniE
Course feral hogs don’t shoot back etc etc ......LOL !
Those guys have a legitimate need for a mini-gun.
Texans dangerous game...... I eradicate hogs on a farmers field SW of me and ya can’t get em all. They are like 500 pound sod poodles !
Up there it's only a small game license and no bag limit.
There's some investigating going on to see if they American ferals have somehow been interbred with Russian Boar stock. Now that would be one dangerous pig!
I never travel north of Borger Texas anymore......wouldn’t know.......;o)
I know they are national problem yet they are fun to hunt !
The Brit Tornadoes were hosed the worst of the coalition aircraft in the first Gulf War due to their low and fast tactics; they went to high and not so accurate after losses.
I think he does. But the low-level flying bit is an added extra that acts as a demoralising tactic...
Does it not occur to you that this might be BEFORE the trip?
Modern aircraft are well protected these days...
Sorry but I don’t understand your post.
Before what trip?
“John, old chap, The idea is to return to base with both empty ordnance hangers and empty fuel tanks, not full ordnance hangers and empty fuel tanks!”
What if the photo was taken before he went flying? Which I’m 100% sure it was.... :)
Why would one need to use a stealth aircraft in Afghanistan?
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