Operation Deliverance

[Jamie]

OPERATION DELIVERANCE
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

SITUATION REPORT

Following the New Year's massacre in Japan which had resulted in mass casualties, the Royal Air Force have been tasked with supporting the transportation of British Red Cross volunteers into Japan and to provide an advisory team in relation to the threat faced by chemical weapons.

BELLIGERENTS

BLUFOR United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland OPFOR Not Applicable.

ORDER OF BATTLE

Royal Navy [2] Lockheed TriStar KC1, No. 54 Squadron, B Flight [16] No. 26 Squadron RAF Regiment, 1 LRT [358] British Red Cross Volunteers​

CAMPAIGN REGISTER

Operation	Objective	Status
Operation Deliverance JANUARY 2003 - MARCH 2003	Delivery of humanitarian assistance in the targeted city of Tokyo, Japan.	Successful

 

[Jamie]

Personnel from No. 54 Squadron, Royal Air Force, had spent most the night preparing the ageing Lockheed Martin TriStars for transit that would take them from their bases at RAF Brize Norton, around the world to Tokyo to support transport efforts of hundreds of volunteers from the British Red Cross who are seeking to assist with providing medical attention from the effects of the New Year massacre. Accompanying them were CBRN specialists from the RAF Regiment, No. 26 Squadron, who were mandated to act in an advisory manner for the volunteers deployed and if needed; the Japanese government or other contributing nations.

As part of the support package, medical supplies were loaded in to the cargo-holds of the aircraft to assist further. Over the next few hours, arrivals of volunteers and the 16-man unit from the RAF Regiment arrived and checked into Brize Norton, almost following the exact procedures found at a typical airport before boarding the two Tristars sat on the apron waiting for their passengers. It wasn't much longer before the aircraft, one after the other, begun their departure. The flight itself would normally be around 13 hours non-stop but due to the limitations of range, a stopover would be carried out RAF Akrotiri for a refuel before continuing direct to Japan.

The final stretch to Japan would be considered achievable but with significant risk if any delays due to the fuel situation. If that became a concern, plans were in place to request a detour to Thailand for refueling but that decision would only be made closer to the time. Although the volunteers of the Red Cross took the flight as an opportunity to relax and get some rest, those in the RAF Regiment spent the initial flyover to Cyprus to check their equipment and read reports on the situation to gain a better understanding of what was happening on the ground.

Though part of an authorised deployment into the country, the pilots were sure to abide all air traffic regulation and had submitted a flight plan prior to departure that would consist of them landing at Tokyo Int. Airport unless otherwise directed. (Vladilena Milizé )

 

[Jamie]

The Lockheed Martin TriStars of the Royal Air Force obediently followed any instruction by air traffic controllers which, at the point of arrival, had still been monitoring a closed airspace. Only an hour apart, the two aircraft from No. 54 Squadron had begun an approach and made a safe controlled landing at Tokyo International Airport - following the relevant taxi ways to get to their designated ramps in which the hundreds of volunteers of the Red Cross would dismount and report to the nearest station handling the aftermath of the New Years Massacre. Their return wouldn't be dated and the British Red Cross itself had already planned to arrange return flights via commercial means when their involvement ends.

The first arriving TriStar would refuel and carry out their pre-flight checks once all passengers and cargo was removed before departing for its return flight to the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the second aircraft contained the advisory group from No. 26 Squadron, RAF Regiment, whose primary specialization was CBRN. Not intending to be a long-mission, they would support the British Red Cross workers for an initial period of two days in an monitoring and support role. Any activities from the group would be communicated directly to the Japanese Government and offering assistance in any other element while they remained present on the ground. (Vladilena Milizé )

 

[Jamie]

After weeks of offering an advisory role from No. 26 Squadron RAF Regiment, 1 LRT, it was suggested by the Ministry of the Defence that the operation had now been suspended with the remaining TriStar and personnel from the RAF Regiment returning to the United Kingdom; with the mission considered a success. Red Cross volunteers may remain present to assist but that would be decided by the Red Cross direct and would arrange commercial travel if considered necessary. Once back in the UK, the 1 LRT would conduct a thorough debriefing and health check due to the use of chemical weapons abroad as a safety mechanism.