Last RAF Tornadoes leave Afghanistan

Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s have left Afghanistan and are returning to the UK after carrying out more than five years of operations.

Since taking over from RAF Harriers in 2009, aircrew and ground crew from 31 squadron have provided vital support to NATO efforts in the country. The aircraft left Kandahar airfield yesterday morning (November 11th), after flying their final missions.

The Tornado GR4 has provided vital information about enemy activity on the ground during its service in Afghanistan. Its Litening III and RAPTOR reconnaissance pods have been used to detect potential hazards such as roadside bombs.

Close air support has also been provided by the jets, involving both deterrence of enemy forces and precision striking.

Defence secretary Michael Fallon said: "The Tornado remains the fast jet workhorse of the RAF and has performed superbly over many years in Afghanistan, supplying life saving intelligence and precision weapons in support of our mission there."