Portsmouth MP visits heroic troops bombing Isil terrorists in Iraq and Syria

The Portsmouth North MP has visited the UK headquarters for the combined counter Daesh operations, RAF Reaper launch and recovery element and the Combined Air Operations Centre in the Middle East.

While in the region Ms Mordaunt visited the Combined Joint Taskforce – Operation Inherent Resolve HQ which oversees the UK element of coalition activity against Isil and met deputy commander, UK Major General Doug Chalmers.

The minister also spoke to personnel working at the RAF Reaper launch and recovery element, who are responsible for launching drones on surveillance and bombing runs.

The final calling site for the Tory MP while in the region was the CAOC.

This is the command centre for the entire coalition’s operations in Iraq and Syria, co-ordinating more than 60 nations’ activity including the air strikes and surveillance conducted by the RAF.

Speaking to The News about her trip, Ms Mordaunt said: ‘Our armed forces are making a huge contribution to the coalition against Daesh.

‘They bring particular skills, expertise and kit which is both enabling our forces and saving the lives of our allies and civilians.

‘They are doing an amazing job and it was a privilege to be able to thank them in person.

‘The men and women based here are playing a vital role in the fight against Daesh and it is important we continue this intensity until the terrorists are eliminated.’

In total there are more than 1,000 UK personnel working to degrade and destroy Isil.

There are also a number of military training teams in Iraq passing on skills to more than 17,000 Iraqi ground forces and Kurdish Peshmerga.

Ms Mordaunt has praised the ‘tireless commitment’ to all UK forces battling terrorists abroad.