An RAF unit from the region has taken part in a raid on a bomb factory in Afghanistan.Members of C-Flight 27 Sqn RAF Regiment, from RAF Honington, following a request from the Afghan National Police, supported a raid on an insurgent bomb factory in a village south of Kandahar City.
An RAF unit from the region has taken part in a raid on a bomb factory in Afghanistan.
Members of C-Flight 27 Sqn RAF Regiment, from RAF Honington, following a request from the Afghan National Police, supported a raid on an insurgent bomb factory in a village south of Kandahar City.
The raid took place two days before Christmas and resulted in six people being arrested.
Entry was gained by the gunners driving a Panther armoured vehicle at the compound gate and smashing it open.
C-Flight gunners rushed in and carried out a swift search of the buildings.
Senior aircraftman Edward Stubbings said: “It's extremely nerve-racking at first. The first time I did one I was a bit scared because the information was saying that there were possibly bombs laid out as booby traps. It's nerve-racking every time you kick down a door because you don't know who's behind it.”
Group Captain Steve Horne, officer commanding 8 Force Protection Wing, added: “Not only have we found an IED [improvised explosive device] in place that won't now go onto the street, we found lots of components, but also six key individuals involved in IED bomb-making have been taken off the streets.
“That leads to much better security in this area and the outlying areas, but also demonstrates the increased ability of our Afghan national partners.”
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