Operation Veritas
Operation Veritas was the codename used for British military operations against the Taliban government of Afghanistan in 2001. British forces very much played a supporting role to American forces. Nonetheless, the British contribution was an important part of the overall forces deployed. Operation Veritas also incorporated Operation Oracle, Operation Fingal and Operation Jacana.
A large number of British troops had been the Middle East anyway when the World Trade Center was destroyed. They were there for HMS Illustrious
40 Commando, Royal Marines was assigned as infantry for the operation, but ultimately it did not deploy to Afghanistan. However, British ground forces did take part in the fighting. The secretive SAS were the men concerned.
In March 2002, the initial naval force were relieved by one centred around HMS Ocean, carrying HMS Ocean
In addition to the naval taskforces present, a substantial RAF presence in the region was extant. Tristar and VC10 tankers refuelled British and US Navy aircraft. Nimrod and Canberra aircraft performed electronic and photo reconnaissance, and Nimrods also conducted maritime patrol operations. Sentry AWACS aircraft were also deployed.
After the main combat operations were over, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was established in Kabul. It was under British leadership for the first few months of its existence, and British troops are still involved with the force in 2003. 45 Commando deployed into Afghanistan from HMS Ocean in March 2002, and conducted several search and destroy operations until July. It did not contact the enemy during that time period.
On the 25 August 2004, it was announced by Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon that 6 RAF Harrier GR7 from No. 3 Squadron would be deployed to Afghanistan. This was the first deployment to Afgahnistan of RAF fighter aircraft and they are intended to provide close air support (CAS) and reconnaissance for ISAF and Coalition forces.
