F e a t u r e s
– personnel from 28 Squadron, 78 Squadron and technicians from the Merlin Force Engineering Squadron based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
The squadrons rotate so aircrew deploy on eight-week detachments every two to three months. Some have done eight tours in Iraq since 2005. Aircraft spend up to nine months in Iraq and Kuwait before they are swapped and flown home.
Two guys who, twenty years ago went to a local school together, played rugby together and joined the Air Training Corps together now find themselves working together in the JHF(I). Squadron Leader Mark Biggadike and Flight Lieutenant Sean Perkins. Sean said: “In the ATC I was a Sergeant and Mark an airman. Now he outranks me.” Mark added: “Being out here together has been good for our friendship – it’s working well.”
Mark, who is the Officer Commanding 1419 Flight, said of the tour: “The guys enjoy it because it’s what they joined up for. And even after eight tours there have been a lot of different situations in Iraq – no two tours have been the same.”
Junior technician Alison Riley from Macclesfield, said: “It’s always challenging being on deployment but we pull together and make the most of it. We do have quite a problem with sand, which is why we have to wash it off regularly and use covers for the cabs.”
With only a few weeks to go before all the kit and equipment must be out of Iraq, everyone
is working hard to ensure the last two ships due to depart with the remainder of the military hardware do so, on time.
Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth said: “The withdrawal of UK forces from Iraq has been conducted in good order and with consummate skill and I congratulate everyone who has been involved. This is intelligent logistics at its best.”
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Autumn 2009
9
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