'Huge effort behind the scenes': What it's like to fly fighter jet missions | Sean Bell | world News

Despite the international coalition providing a protective umbrella over the Red Sea – Operation Prosperity Guardian – Houthi attacks against commercial ships have continued.

Shortly before midnight on Thursday, the US and UK launched a wave of attacks on 60 people Houthi Military targets using more than 100 guided munitions, mostly Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The UK's contribution to the strike package was four Typhoon fighter aircraft.

Although cruise missiles can be launched hundreds of miles from their targets, once launched they can take some time to reach them, and while on their way, the ground situation can change.

Combat missions put pilots in harm's way, but also allow for a much shorter flight time for the weapon and thus a more dynamic assessment of the threat and potential collateral damage.

So, what's involved in flying a Hurricane strike mission?

From the moment the Houthis began attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea on November 19, US and British forces have been developing an appropriate list of military targets and options.

Satellite imagery and routine intelligence gathering would have identified command and control points, radars, weapons storage areas and missile launch sites, as well as establishing a 'pattern of life' around potential targets to assess the risk of collateral damage.

Diplomatic options 'exhausted'

Once the political leadership in both countries had exhausted diplomatic options, they had to outline what they wanted any military action to achieve, and review the available options.

The political goal was to avoid further escalation, demonstrate resolve, and reduce the Houthis' ability to attack ships, while limiting collateral damage.

The United States appeared to have identified a window of opportunity to strike – overnight to limit casualties – and the British Prime Minister agreed to military action.

The Typhoon capability already deployed to Cyprus was supposed to have received its mission several hours before launch, resulting in an intense period of planning and preparation.

Pilots plan routes, and weapons specialists match weapons to targets—bomb size, fuzes, and guidance required—and decide which pilots will be selected for the mission.

In addition, the entire squadron was supposed to focus on preparing the four aircraft, refueling, arming, servicing and downloading vital software – a team effort.

But Cyprus is a long way from the target area, with a round trip taking more than 3,000 miles. Two air-to-air refueling tankers (Voyager) will also be needed to refuel the Typhoon aircraft before entering Yemeni airspace, as well as to provide vital support to bring the aircraft home again.

Planning these sorties takes time, coordination and patience.

Back on schedule to reach the target – in coordination with US strikes occurring simultaneously – the pilots will determine where the tanker should be, when, and how much fuel, to enter and exit.

Pilots can then decide their departure time from Cyprus, before which they must conduct pre-flight briefings, set up flight equipment, and walk to the aircraft, leaving time to race for the backup aircraft if the primary flight fails to start – and get briefed on the plan. Resuscitation in case the pilot was shot down over Yemen.

Planes 'full of weapons'

Going out onto planes focuses the mind – seeing a Typhoon filled with live missiles and explosive ordnance is a stark reminder that this is not a training mission.

Finding a refueling tanker is often a challenge – especially if the weather is less than normal – but getting it up at over 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and seeing the fuel gauge read full again, it's time to leave the sanctuary of international airspace and plot a course to the target. .

Defensive aids are turned on, shells and torches at the ready, keeping an eye out for any signs that enemy radars are tracking you.

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Houthi missiles and portable bullets pose a threat, but flying above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) limits their effectiveness.

When approaching a target, adrenaline surges, and pilots must avoid being distracted by other American munitions impacting their targets.

Read more:
Explanation – Comparisons with World War II and the battles of ISIS
How a British warship repelled the Houthi attack
Who are the Houthis?
Explaining – why the UK and US struck Houthi targets

A second appointment with the tanker to fill up again, then the long journey home.

Land, check in, get out of your wetsuit, G-suit and other flight gear, go to the bathroom, hydrate, then get ready for an hour-long debrief.

For the ground crew, gunsmiths, suppliers and support staff, the work begins again.

A simple headline like “UK hurricanes hit Houthi targets”, requires enormous effort behind the scenes, and is a great example of British expertise, professionalism and teamwork.