UK Ministry of Defence, A Joint Force Harrier detachment will continue to provide vital close air support and reconnaissance to Coalition and NATO forces operating in Southern Afghanistan, the Defence Secretary John Reid confirmed today.
On the third day of his visit to Afghanistan, Mr Reid met with the aircraft crews at their operating base in the southern city of Kandahar.
The six Harrier GR7A aircraft have made an invaluable contribution to the success of both the Coalition and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) missions.
Following requests from both NATO and coalition commanders, the MoD has agreed to extend their deployment initially from June 2006 to 31 March 2007. Working alongside other allied aircraft, they will continue to provide the ISAF with a reconnaissance capability, an air presence to reassure the Afghan people of their security and the capacity to strike against any insurgents threatening the safety of NATO and Coalition Forces.
Meeting pilots and ground crew during a tour of the base, Dr Reid said:
“We all know what excellent work the Harriers have done here in Kandahar since they first deployed in September 2004. Whether in support of the ISAF or the coalition, in their reconnaissance role or in providing air support to ground troops under fire, they have been invaluable.
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