I couldn’t have written this book without the guidance of Nick Cook and Martyn Forrester. You have helped nurture and shape my narrative in a way that I could never have achieved on my own. Thank you both so much.
Thanks to all my army buddies, friends and family for your continued support.
I owe my sanity to TFM’s Gary Philipson for letting me in the Zoo at night to talk to the Love Slug!
I’d always assumed an agent was someone who took money off you for licking the odd stamp when he could find the time. I now realise it doesn’t stop there. I can’t thank Mark Lucas enough-for your tireless promotion, advice and, above all, priceless edits. You’re my agent, literary scholar, adviser and above all friend.
Emily, you are my foundation. You support everything that I dream of and you always hold firm when times are rough. Without you I could never even begin to chase my dreams.
To my children, my little AAC: you are my world.
INDEX
The pagination of this electronic edition does not match the edition from which it was created. To locate a specific passage, please use the search feature of your e-book reader.
Entries in italics indicate maps, photographs or illustrations.
EM indicates Ed Macy.
ABFAC (Airborne Forward Air Controller) 68-71
Afghan National Army (ANA) 145, 146, 168, 333
Afghan National Police (ANP) 145, 146, 168, 179, 188, 201, 299-300, 301, 333, 338, 339, 363
Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) 168, 339, 344
Afghanistan:
British Army bases in see under individual base name
British Army objectives in 145-7
British Army operations in see under individual operation name
climate 157, 165-6, 211, 214, 215, 357
map of xiii
narcotics trade within 146, 147, 227, 333, 392
reconstruction of 145-6, 147, 154, 392
smell of 157, 158, 159
see also under individual area and place name
air support 200, 233, 341
A-10 166, 234, 236
Apache see Apache WAH-64D
B1B 4, 154, 166, 253, 254, 260, 355, 360, 362
B-2 95
C-17 161, 162
C-130 95, 156, 177
Chinook, CH-47 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 97, 129, 130, 132, 147, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 183, 194, 195, 196-7, 199, 200, 202, 203, 212, 226, 253, 255, 258, 259, 260, 265, 290, 292, 293, 295, 296, 298, 299, 300, 330, 333, 338, 340, 341, 345, 346
Close Air Support (CAS) 324, 341, 342
Gazelle 33, 36, 37, 38, 46, 47, 51, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62-3, 64, 65, 68, 70, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 85, 89, 90, 91, 97, 118, 120, 147
Harrier 166, 269, 286, 355
Intimate Support 325, 341, 370
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Stars 69, 70, 71-2, 73, 74
Lynx 4, 46, 62, 79, 83, 84, 86-7, 89, 90, 91, 96, 130, 198, 289
Aliu Za’I 201
Al-Qaeda 104, 146
Al-Sadr, Muqtada 128
anti-aircraft guns/gunners xx, 13-16, 90, 91, 132-3, 184, 298-31, 337, 392
Apache AH64A 46-8, 89, 103-4, 119
Apache AH64D 89
Apache WAH-64D:
air-conditioning 106, 197, 202, 218, 309, 351, 366, 381
auxiliary power unit (APU) 115, 116, 197, 198, 201, 212, 213, 242, 263, 264, 268, 270, 286, 350, 351
‘bag’ flying in 117, 120-5, 136, 190
Boresight Reticule Unit (BRU) 100, 116
cannon, 30mm Hughes M230
Automatic Chain gun 10, 11, 12, 106-7, 162, 203, 218, 238, 239, 240, 248, 277, 278, 281-2, 283, 312, 315, 325, 360, 364, 385
Counter Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) 224-5, 228
CRV7 rocket 107, 109, 162
Data Transfer Cartridge (DTC) 264
Direct View Optics (DVO) 102
DTV camera 102, 103, 112, 177, 178, 378, 379, 380
‘dynamic harmonisation’ 162, 163-4, 266, 346, 364
effect on role of helicopters in British Army 88-9
EM first launches 137-43
engines, Rolls-Royce 66, 114, 116, 163, 223
EW self-protection capabilities 94-6, 224-5, 228
Fire Control Radar (FCR) 8, 101, 103, 106, 116, 226-7, 231, 309, 353
flares 92, 254, 263
Flechette 107, 108-9, 111, 263, 266, 337, 380-1, 386
Flight Reference Cards 265
Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system 102, 103, 112, 119-20, 121, 268, 294, 302, 323, 357, 358, 378, 379, 380
fuel load 212, 217, 219, 225, 229, 230, 232, 250, 251-2, 327, 371, 388
Head-Mounted Display (HMD) 248, 377
HEDP rounds 106-7, 240, 248, 359, 383, 388
Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids Systems (HIDAS) 94, 95, 132, 364
High Explosive Incendiary Semi-Armour Piercing (HEISAP) 107, 108, 111, 263, 382, 383, 386, 388
Hellfire missile see Hellfire missile
IDM - Improved Data Modem 350, 353, 369
Image Auto-Track (IAT) 142, 320, 321, 322
Improved Extended Forward Avionics Bay (IEFAB) 269
inspection of, pre-flight 114-15
ISTAR 100
Laser Warning Receiver System (LWRS) 94-5
lift off 219-21
loading/starting 209-11, 212-19
Longbow radar 89, 101, 109, 163, 226, 231, 269, 317
M261 rocket launchers 107
MAWS 94
MOD buy 46, 47, 66
monocle display 100, 115, 116, 119-20, 121, 126, 220, 225, 231, 305, 310, 329, 377, 384
Multi-Purpose Display (MPD) 7, 9, 47, 48, 95, 101, 103, 112, 119, 125, 126, 177, 225, 226, 227, 229, 231, 237, 238, 240, 244, 248, 265, 268, 276, 278, 314, 320, 351, 354, 360, 379, 381
Multi-Purpose-Sub-Munition (MPSM) 107-8, 111
ORT (Optical Relay Tube) 47-8, 102, 103, 106, 112, 127, 141, 353, 389, 390
Pilot’s Night Vision System (PNVS) 100, 121, 124, 134, 213, 298, 300, 379, 386
Pinvis (TADS thermal image) 101, 102, 121
port view xxiv-xxv
Power Margin Indicator 230
preliminary flight checks 115
press and 171
Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI) 92
radios 215-16, 217, 264, 265, 269, 299, 366, 372
RWR receivers 94
secure datalink 101
simulator 120, 125-7, 128
size of 114
stabilator 264, 305
starboard view xxvi-xxvii
survivability of 127
tail wheel 263-4
Target Acquisition and Designation Sight (TADS) 7, 9, 10, 11, 100, 101, 102, 103, 106, 109, 112, 141, 152, 169, 175, 176, 180, 213, 235, 237, 238, 248, 255, 268, 274, 276, 277, 278, 283, 290, 304, 306-7, 310, 314, 315, 316, 320, 322, 323, 328, 352, 368, 369, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 387, 394
torque 219, 220, 222, 223, 224, 227
training course, British Army 98-130
UFD (Up Front Display) 211, 220
Area of Responsibility (AOR) xv, 131, 187, 199, 286, 299
Arming and Loading Point Commander 209
armoured vehicles:
armoured personnel carriers (APCs) 38
light armoured vehicles (LAVs) 353
Pinzgauer 201, 332
Scimitar 332, 353
Spartan 332
Striker armoured fighting vehicle 75
WMIKs 178, 180, 195, 201, 332, 366
Augustus, Operation 257
‘baffles’ 92
Baxter, Mick 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41
Bell Cobra 47, 88, 89
Benzie, Nichol 194, 195, 197, 291, 293
Bin Laden, Osama 131
Blair, Tony 104, 145, 146
blue-on-blue (friendly fire incident) 162, 164
BO105 (helicopter) 89
Bonn, Dickie 192, 194, 198, 204, 205, 290, 292
Bosnia 104
British Army:
Afghanistan bases see under
individual base name
Afghanistan objectives 145-7
Afghanistan operations see under individual operation name
Aldershot base, Hampshire 13-22
Catterick Camp, Yorkshire 149-50
Fremington Camp, Devon 33-41
Middle Wallop base, Hampshire 26-32, 42-54, 98, 99, 105-12, 113-30, 133, 262 Northern
Ireland 55-66
Rules of Engagement (ROE) 3, 8, 107, 165-71, 181, 182, 255, 275, 287, 288, 290, 308, 324, 329, 333, 335, 372
Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), Alberta, Canada 67-86, 234
units see British Army units
British Army units:
Army Air Corps (AAC) xxviii, 3, 25, 26, 55, 198, 292, 336
5 Regiment 55-66
9 Regiment 79, 86, 98
656 Squadron xxviii, 3, 55-66, 86, 96, 105, 152, 157, 193, 198, 200, 202, 203, 205, 206, 211, 212, 215, 217, 219, 232, 242, 244, 251, 258, 293, 344, 349, 350, 351, 364, 387
664 Squadron 62, 86, 149-50, 347, 392
Afghanistan operations see under individual location and operation name
air combat instruction 90-1
Apache training course and selection process 86-7, 88, 98-125
Apache, acquires 66
deployment to Afghanistan 130, 131-3, 143-60
exercises/training, pre-Afghanistan 125-9, 133-43
Northern Ireland 55-66, 147, 175, 188, 237, 333, 334, 374, 377
pilot training 26-55
Special Forces Squadron 62, 63, 335
1 Para 45
2 Para 14, 22, 24-6, 34, 37, 45, 375
3 Para 1, 2, 45, 130, 132, 168, 171, 186, 188, 189, 191, 193, 194, 195, 199, 207, 208, 212, 216, 217, 241, 242, 253, 255, 256, 258, 259, 260, 332, 333, 339, 345, 353, 357, 366, 368, 392
A Company 1, 203, 206, 250
B Company 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 358, 360, 361, 363, 364, 369, 373, 388
D Company 201, 341, 342, 343, 344, 346, 361, 369, 388
Mortar Platoon 338, 346
Patrols Platoon 201, 202, 203, 212, 215, 240, 241, 338, 340, 341, 344, 345, 349, 361, 369
16 Air Assault Brigade 67, 129, 130, 132, 145, 147, 332, 392
Pathfinders Platoon 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 332, 333, 334, 338, 339, 343, 369
AMTAT (Air Manoeuvres Training and Advisory Team) 138-43
Gurkhas 306
Helmand Reaction Force (HRF) 191, 199, 206, 215, 258, 261, 266, 338, 351 Household Cavalry 334
Incident Response Team (IRT) 191, 199, 206, 215, 258, 261, 265, 266, 338, 351
Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) (JHF (A)) 3, 130, 162, 188, 189, 327, 336
Royal Artillery 13, 14
Royal Corps of Transport 199
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 27
Royal Irish 339, 344
Royal Marine
3 Brigade Air Squadron (3BAS) 90
Commando 31
Royal Military Police (RMP) 366
SAS 16, 17, 21, 24, 25, 32, 34, 66, 67, 68-9, 70, 87
Broken Arrow (Now Zad operation) xix, 258, 259, 260-1, 267-330
B-2 bomber 95
Bush, George W. 104, 106
C-17 Globemaster 161, 162
C-130 Hercules 95, 156, 177
Camp Bastion 1-5, 145, 151, 161, 173, 176, 181, 183, 186, 189, 190-200, 201, 202, 203, 225, 230, 239, 251, 257, 258, 260, 290, 298, 328, 329, 335, 336, 341, 344, 346, 364, 387, 391
casevac helicopter insertion 1-2, 259, 294
Catterick Camp 149-50
‘chaff’ launchers 91 Chinook, CH-47 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 97, 129, 130, 132, 147, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 183, 194, 195, 196-7, 199, 200, 202, 203, 212, 226, 253, 255, 258, 259, 260, 265, 290, 292, 293, 295, 296, 298, 299, 300, 330, 333, 338, 340, 341, 345, 346
Chinthe Lines 336
Close Air Support (CAS) 324, 341, 342
Cobra Venom 47
Combined Air Ground (CAG) frequencies 232
Common Tactical Air Frequency (CTAF) 6, 205, 232, 234
Danish troops 333, 339, 344, 369, 373
Dasht-e-Margo (Desert of Death) 131-2, 143, 176, 177, 230
Daz, Operation 266
De Havilland Chipmunk T10 training aircraft (‘Chippies’) 28, 33
Desert Eagle, Exercise 133, 262
dust landings 133-7, 183-6, 190
‘dynamic harmonisation’ 162, 163-4, 266, 346, 364
EA-6B Prowler 93, 95-6
Edgecombe, Colonel Greville 31
Emily 144, 145, 147-9, 154, 155, 160, 257, 266
Eurocopter Tiger 47, 89
FAC (Forward Air Controller) 68-71, 102, 139, 141, 142, 234, 235
Falklands War 24, 45, 108, 332
Farrar-Hockley, General 52
Felton, Lieutenant Colonel 3, 98, 129, 165, 288
FIBUA (Fighting In a Built-Up Area) 241
FOB Robinson 261
foot multiples, supporting 56-66
Fremington Camp, Devon 33-41
GAFA (Great Afghan Fuck All) 230
Gazelle 33, 36, 37, 38, 46, 47, 51, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62-3, 64, 65, 68, 70, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 85, 89, 90, 91, 97, 118, 120, 147
Gereshk 145, 261
glossary 397-410
Grau, Lester W. 168
Green Zone 179, 180, 181, 194-5, 235, 281, 292, 302, 304, 305, 311, 312, 316, 334, 338, 340, 342, 343, 344, 345, 351, 352, 353, 356, 358, 362, 363, 364, 365, 373, 375, 376, 387
Gulf War, First 89, 103-4
Hardened Aircraft Landing Strip (HALS) 265-8, 269, 351, 364
helicopters see under individual helicopter name
Hellfire missile, AGM-114 5, 347, 393
AA guns and 315, 316, 319, 320, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 334, 392
appearance of 262-3
EM fires 315, 316, 319, 320, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 334, 392
firing 111
firing close to friendly troops 325
LOAL Mode 110, 111, 112, 138
LOBL Mode 110-11, 138
Radio Frequency (RF) 109-10
ROE and 325
Semi-Active Laser (SAL) 109, 110, 111
warheads 110, 264
Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) 145
Helmand River 6, 146, 176
Hezb-I Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) 146, 166
Highway Zero One 177-9, 230, 231
HMS Ocean 129
IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) 343, 355, 358, 359, 361, 366, 368, 370
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) 146
Intimate Support 325, 341, 370
IRA 55, 60, 65, 375, 376
Iraq 106, 112, 128, 129, 147
ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance,
Target Acquisition and
Reconnaissance) 100
Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) 95, 154, 362
JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) 4, 5, 6, 8, 70, 153, 187, 195, 202, 234, 238, 243, 244, 249, 272, 275, 276, 278, 279, 280, 283, 286, 288, 299, 302, 316, 317, 323, 324, 328-9, 334, 345, 346, 361
Jugroom Fort 395
Kabul 155-6, 157, 177
Kajaki 261
Kandahar 153, 157-9, 161-74, 173, 174, 289, 298, 347
Kandahar Airfield (KAF) 151-2, 158, 161-74, 173, 174, 177, 186, 230, 269, 298, 334, 350
Karzai, Hammid 128, 155, 287, 288
Keogh, Captain Andy 148, 149
Kosovo 67
Lashkar Gah 145, 173, 175, 178, 260, 370
Leggett, Emily 336
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Stars 69, 70, 71-2, 73, 74
Lynx helicopter 4, 46, 62, 79, 83, 84, 86-7, 89, 90, 91, 96, 130, 198, 289
M25 wadi 301
Macy, Ed:
Afghanistan, arrival in 155-60
Air Combat Tactics Instructor’s (ACTI) Course 88, 89, 305
Aircraft Commanders Course 63
anti-aircraft gunner,
trains as 13-16, 133, 182
Apache training course 98-130
Apache, first sits in 46-8
Army Air Corps, applies for 25-6
bike accident 16-22, 25
childhood 23-4
engineering apprentice 24
EW foundation course 92-6
exercises in Apache 128-30
family 23, 24, 144, 145, 147-9 see also Emily
Northern Ireland 55-65, 147, 175, 188, 237, 333, 334, 374, 377
operations and exercises see under operation and location name
Paras 13-16, 21, 22, 24-6, 27, 28
pilot, trains as 26-54
returns home from Afghanistan 392-3, 395
SAS, wish to join 16, 17, 21, 24, 25, 32, 66, 87
school 24
Squadron Weapons Officer 128, 137, 149, 161, 168-9, 325-6, 393
maps:
Afghanistan xiii
area of responsibility xv
Helmand province xiv
Musa Qa’leh: Operation Snakebite xxii
Musa Qa’leh: The Sniper Team xxiii
Now Zad: Broken Arrow xix
Now Zad: The Anti-Aircraft Gunner xx
Operation Mutay xviii
Mason, Captain Paul 99, 104, 106, 112
Middle Wallop, Hampshire 26-32, 42-54, 98, 99, 105-12, 113-30, 133, 262
Mil Mi-24 Hind 88, 91
Milosevic, Slobodan 67, 69
Ministry of Defence 46, 47, 66, 162, 326, 327, 336, 337
Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) 92
missiles:
Hellfire 5, 109-10, 262-3, 266, 315, 316, 319, 320, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 334, 347, 392, 393
Javelin anti-tank 4
Milan anti-tank missiles 79
Stinger missile 94
surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) 94, 126, 132, 195, 224, 228, 232, 253, 254, 256, 331, 371, 372
Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided (TOW) missiles 46
Muhammad, Haji 195, 201
Musa Qa’leh 173, 181, 258, 260, 334, 397, 351, 353, 361, 366, 373, 391
Operation Snakebite xxii, 337, 338-90, 391