English: An RAF Tornado GR4 from 2(Army Cooperation) Squadron at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan returning from a Ground Close Air Support (GCAS) mission in support of coalition troops. The Squadron are part of the RAF 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (904 EAW) based at Kandahar.

904 Expeditionary Air Wing (904 EAW) is responsible for the support and operation of RAF assets at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. As well as delivering hundreds of RAF air mobility movements every year with Hercules C-130J and BAE 146 aircraft, the EAW mounts attack and intelligence missions through its detachments of RAF Tornado GR4 fast jets.

The EAW also provides support for a detachment providing launch and recovery of RAF and Reaper remotely piloted air systems.

The Tornado GR4 Detachment, currently manned by II(AC) Squadron, stands ready to launch at a moment’s notice in support of Afghan-led ground forces anywhere in Afghanistan, and regularly delivers vital close air support to provide friendly forces with an edge over insurgents. Increasingly, the GR4 employs shows of force to deter insurgents, helping break contacts with the enemy without the need to release weapons. When necessary, however, the aircraft can use precision weapons to attack ground targets.

The aircraft also provides critical detailed intelligence and reconnaissance through its state-of-the-art RAPTOR and LITENING-III sensor equipment, enabling Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing to provide ground commanders with detailed information about the battle-space.

• Organization: RAF
• Object Name: AUAB_UNC_20140219_008_055
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Operations, Theatres, Afghanistan, People, Royal Air Force, Equipment, Aircraft, Offensive, Tornado
• Keywords: Royal Air Force, RAF, Herrick, Expeditionary Air Wing, EAW, Tornado GR4, Kandahar, 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, taxiing, afghanistan, Equipment, Aircraft, Jet, Fighter, Offensive, Tornado, GR4, Operation, Op, Campaign
• Country: Afghanistan