British English: A Royal Air Force (RAF) Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft of No. 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF (5(AC) Sqn) is pictured at Al Udeid Air Base (AUAB), Qatar, in the Middle East.

Royal Air Force personnel, deployed to No. 902 Expeditionary Air Wing RAF (902 EAW) in the Middle East, continue to support coalition troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

Until recently, 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron have been operating simultaneously over the skies of Afghanistan and Mali, highlighting the adaptability and capability of the asset and its personnel.

Now operating solely from 902 EAW in the Middle East, it is in direct support of Operation Herrick. As a result of the transition of security responsibility in Afghanistan, it routinely provides support to ISAF and Afghan forces.

5 (AC) Squadron’s Sentinel aircraft uses the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) to provide invaluable information used in the tracking and prosecution of enemy ground forces. As with all modern aircraft in the world of Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), Sentinel is unable to operate without the support of its engineering and support staffs. They work hand-in-hand with personnel from 902 EAW support elements in order to ensure the crew and aircraft are continually prepared for sorties.

• Organisation: Royal Air Force (RAF)
• Object name: AUAB_UNC_09032013_033_304
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental categories: Equipment, Aircraft, ISTAR, Sentinel
• Keywords: 902 EAW, 5 AC Sqn, Sentinel, Royal Air Force, RAF, equipment, aircraft, surveillance, R1, ASTOR, ground mapping, ISTAR
• Country: Qatar