Operation Newcombe
Operation Newcombe is a British non-combat military operation to support the French-led Operation Barkhane (previously Operation Serval) and the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).[1] It was launched on 13 January 2013 by Prime Minister David Cameron.[2][3]
Operation Newcombe | |
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Part of the Mali War, the Insurgency in the Maghreb and the War on Terror | |
Two Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft prior to the embarkation of French equipment. | |
Location | |
Date | 13 January 2013 – Present |
Executed by |
Background
In 2012, amid unprecedented civil unrest in Mali, rebel groups — including Islamist militants with links to Al-Qaeda — began to violently take control of northern parts of the country. The United Nations Security Council subsequently authorised a French-backed resolution for African-led military action to retake control.[4] In January 2013, Ansar Dine Islamists ran the Malian Army out of the city of Konna, which is situated 600 kilometres (370 mi) northeast of the capital Bamako.[5] Following a request for military assistance from Mali, France launched Operation Serval and began targeting Islamist militants in the north of the country.[5][6] France requested assistance from other countries, including the United Kingdom, and following a phone call between British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President François Hollande, the UK agreed to contribute "very limited strategic tactical support" with no personnel deployed in a combat role.[2]
Deployment
On 13 January 2013, two Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft from No. 99 Squadron RAF took off from RAF Brize Norton en route to Évreux-Fauville Air Base in France. The aircraft were loaded with French armoured vehicles and other military equipment before airlifting them to French forces in Bamako, Mali's capital.[7] Defence Secretary Philip Hammond later announced the UK would also deploy a Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft.[8][9] The aircraft, from No. 5 Squadron RAF, was based in Dakar, Senegal alongside 100 support personnel. In four months, it had flown for a total of 697 hours across 66 sorties and had delivered 100 intelligence reports to French commanders.[10] It returned to the UK on 22 May 2013.[11]
On 29 January 2013, 330 British military personnel were deployed to West Africa in a training role, including 40 destined for Mali in support of the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).[12][13] In addition to assisting French and EU forces, the UK also assisted the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) with the deployment of a 200-strong military training team and RAF C-17 transportation flights.[13]
In 2016, the UK pledged to continue its C-17 support on a monthly basis.[14]
In 2018, No. 1310 Flight RAF, consisting of three RAF Chinook transport helicopters and up to 60 support personnel, were deployed to Mali to assist French operations.[15][16] A C-17 was used to transport supplies necessary for the deployment, which landed at Gao International Airport.[17] In November 2019, the aircraft were involved in the response effort following the 2019 Ménaka helicopter crash which killed 13 French soldiers — the largest loss of French service personnel in nearly four decades.[18]
In 2019, the UK announced it would deploy 250 military personnel to Gao, Mali in 2020 as peacekeepers in support of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).[19] In April, Sierra Troop, 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support), Royal Signals arrived in Gao via an RAF A400M Atlas transport aircraft to provide information and communication services (ICS) support. The troop constructed a permanent communications shelter with the assistance of the Royal Engineers.[16]
By May 2020, the Chinooks had passed 2,000 flying hours, moved over 1,000 tonnes of freight and transported 12,000 passengers.[20] The aircraft were flown by No. 18 Squadron RAF and had their deployment extended in June.[21] The COVID-19 pandemic had not impacted operations.[20] Additionally, the Light Dragoons and The Royal Anglian Regiment prepared to deploy as the 250-strong peacekeeping force, announced in the previous year, in support of MINUSMA.[21]
During a four-month tour between May–July 2020, British Chinook helicopters took part in several intensive operations, including a series of company-sized airlifts of French Army units. One phase of the operation saw a Chinook flying during the night alongside French Caiman helicopters to insert over 130 troops for a clearance patrol before returning them back to Gao 36 hours later.[22]
See also
- Operation Turus - A similar British military operation to support Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram.
References
- "FOI2018/13682" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 2 November 2018.
(12) Operation NEWCOMBE - UK logistical support to France and contribution to EU Training Mission
- "Mali: RAF C17 cargo plane to help French operation". BBC News. 13 January 2013.
- "UK Armed Forces Deaths: Operational deaths post World War II" (PDF). Ministry of Defence.
Western Africa (Op NEWCOMBE- Phase 1) (GSM 08) 13-Jan-13
- "UN approves military mission to oust Mali Islamists". France 24. 20 December 2012.
- "Mali asks France for help as Islamist militants advance". France 24. 11 January 2013.
- "France confirms Mali military intervention". BBC News. 11 January 2013.
- "RAF C-17 aircraft depart for Mali mission". GOV.UK. 14 January 2013.
- "Mali: RAF surveillance aircraft Sentinel deployed". BBC News. 25 January 2013.
- "Sentinel" (PDF). Raytheon. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
During a four-month deployment to Dakar, Senegal codenamed Operation Newcombe, No 5 Squadron flew 66 missions and nearly 700 hours, mostly over the north and northeast of the country
- "Royal Air Force lifts lid on Sentinel's role in Mali". flightglobal. 10 July 2013.
- "RAF Sentinel Comes Home". defense-aerospace.com. 22 May 2013.
- "Mali crisis: 330 UK military personnel sent to West Africa". BBC News. 29 January 2013.
- "British aircraft supports African mission to Mali". 13 February 2013.
- "Defence Secretary secures progress on Brimstone sales as unmanned aircraft project moves forward". GOV.UK. 3 March 2016.
- "RAF Chinooks Begin Mali Deployment With French Military". Forces News. 20 September 2018.
- "The Wire - The Magazine of the Royal Corps of Signals" (PDF). Royal Signals.
- "Royal Air Force C-17 aircraft arrives in Mali for the first time". Royal Air Force. 11 October 2018.
- "RAF Chinook Part Of Response After French Troops Killed In Mali Helicopter Crash". Forces News. 26 November 2019.
- "UK To Deploy 250 Troops To Mali On Peacekeeping Operations". Forces News. 22 July 2019.
- "Royal Air Force Chinooks Pass 2000 Hours Milestone Supporting French Operations In Mali". Royal Air Force. 6 May 2020.
- "Op Newcombe ~ RAF Chinook Mali Mission Extended". Joint-Forces.com. 12 June 2020.
- "RAF Chinooks Conduct Intensive Operations In Mali". Royal Air Force. 30 July 2020.