Revised rules of engagement in Afghanistan have seen the UK Royal Air Force's Panavia Tomado GR4 crews adopt a "less kinetic" approach to combating operations by the Taliban, but senior officers say the shift is paying dividends. Speaking after returning to Marham in Norfolk after a three-month tour of duty at Kandahar airfield, personnel from the RAF's 31 Sqn said they adjusted well to the new campaign strategy. This was imposed late last year by International Security Assistance Force commander US Army Gen Stanley McChrystal, who wants NATO-led forces to "reshape the fight to achieve more lasting effects, grow our partnership with Afghan security forces, and strengthen relationships with government officials and the Afghan people". "Our role was very much in line with the guidelines set by Gen McChrystal: to support the troops, where possible without killing anybody," says Wg Cdr Ian Gale, officer commanding 31 Sqn. "We've been pretty successful in replacing bombs and bullets with 'shows of force'."
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