TriStars Begin to Replace VClOs Overseas

摘要

As part of the drawdown of the RAFs VC10 fleet, No 101 Squadron has relinquished its tanking support role in the Middle East. At the end of September, No 216 Squadron began a deployment with a Lockheed TriStar at Al Musana'a in Oman, assigned to No 902 Expeditionary Air Wing. The aircraft will support operations over Afghanistan and the surrounding area. VClOs have been based in the Middle East nearly continuously since August 1990, initially operating out of Indrlik in Turkey, before moving to Bahrain and Al Udeid AB in Qatar, and finally Al Musana'a. The tankers supported operations during both Gulf Wars, the northern and southern no-fly zones over Iraq, and Operation Herrick over Afghanistan.