English: Pictured is an RAF Sentinel R1 aircraft from 5 Squadron, RAF Waddington, taking off from RAF Akrotiri, where the ISTAR aircraft was part of Operation SHADER.

The Aircraft and Crew support coalition operations by supplying information that ensures strikes carried out by the RAF and other coalition aircraft are accurate. The Sentinel crew use the aircraft’s powerful radar to identify and track numerous targets over great distances, passing the information in near real time to friendly forces.

The information gathered was also used by intelligence specialists to conduct in-depth forensic analysis of the data to generate intelligence products that are passed to commanders and decision makers enabling them to plan future operations.

5 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron was reformed on 1 April 2004 at RAF Waddington to operate the Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) System, flown on five modified Bombardier Global Express aircraft. In RAF service, the aircraft type is known as the Sentinel R Mk 1, with the R acknowledging its Reconnaissance role.

The Squadron’s mission in the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance role is at the cutting edge of technology and military capability.

The ISR role is of the highest priority for modern commanders and is pivotal in today’s ‘asymmetric-warfare’ challenge in the global war on terrorism, where the enemy is elusive, and the Battlespace has no boundary.

For 5 (AC) Squadron, the role is most apt, as after operating proudly as a fighter Squadron for 50 years, the Squadron reformed and switched to ISR role signalling a return to its roots.

5 (AC) Squadron celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.