Based at Kandahar airfield, the crews from IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron have flown hundreds of life-saving missions in support of British and Coalition troops during the last few months.
Their skill was so renowned among soldiers on the ground that some troops specifically called on the GR7A Harriers to come to their aid instead of other allied aircraft.
Wing Commander Ian Duguid, 39, officer-commanding IV (AC) Sqn, praised the entire unit for their dedication and professionalism, from pilots and engineers to support personnel:
"I have been flying for 14 years, and nothing compares to this," he said. "This has been the most challenging and stimulating operation I have ever been involved in.
"The guys on the ground are in a very hostile environment, and the intensity of operations is reflected in the amount of flying we have done. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved here."
The Harriers flew strike and reconnaissance missions supporting troops from the International Security Assistance Force - part of NATO operations in Afghanistan - and Operation Enduring Freedom, the US-led mission targeting the Taleban. Their main focus was supporting British forces.
Squadron Leader Christian Wildsmith-Gleave, 34, a flight commander with the unit, said he had never worked in a better team environment. The former Red Arrows pilot said the mission had been extremely successful:
"Everyone has been absolutely superb," he explained. "We have made a particularly intense and very focused effort to support everyone in theatre."
During ISAF's Operation MEDUSA in Kandahar province two weeks ago, the pilots were operating against up to 12 targets a day in support of troops battling the Taleban. On numerous occasions, troops from across the multi-national ISAF taskforce have made their way to the Detachment to thank the Harrier crews for saving their lives.
"We have worked with British, American, Canadian, Australian and Danish troops on the ground," Sqn Ldr Wildsmith-Gleave continued. "We had such a good relationship with one particular Danish controller that he repeatedly requested our Harriers above any other aircraft. He knew they were the best aircraft for the job."
After assisting troops in major engagements against the Taleban, finally meeting them face-to-face was an emotional experience:
"When you're talking to the troops on the ground, you can hear the stress in their voices. You know they are under a lot of pressure, being shot at. That really gets your adrenalin going. We want to do our absolute best for them.
"Sometimes when we're on the radio and we've attacked something, we can hear the soldiers cheering in the background. When we met them it was fascinating to swap stories from each other's perspective. You are meeting guys whose lives you have been saving on a daily basis for weeks. It is incredibly rewarding. They are as proud of what we have achieved as we are."
Another key part of the team were the ground engineers who supported the aircraft. Working in blistering 55 degree heat, the engineers were able to refuel and re-arm Harriers in just half an hour, before they scrambled on another life-saving mission:
"The engineers have been superb," Sqn Ldr Wildsmith-Gleave said. "They have worked in terrible heat, under tight time constraints and right around the clock. When you go down to visit them, they are dripping with sweat while they are working on the aircraft."
He added the unit believed they had made a real difference during their time in Afghanistan:
"We know from various sources that people feel liberated from the Taleban by our presence here. I have never seen a team working more closely together to achieve what needed to be done. For many of us, this will have been a life-changing experience."
IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron are based at RAF Cottesmore near Rutland. They were equipped with seven GR7A Harrier ground attack aircraft, deployed from the UK's Joint Force Harrier. 800 Naval Air Squadron Royal Navy will take over from IV (AC) Sqn and will continue providing support to UK and NATO troops.