A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR RAF FAMILIES
OPEN HOUSE at Kandahar Airfield
With military hardware on display from UK, Afghanistan and USA the airfield was soon swamped by excited children who asked lots of question about what it was like to fly.
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he occasion – an open day at Kandahar Airfield hosted by the Afghan Air Force. The aim of the day was to
showcase the cooperation between NATO and Afghanistan National Security Forces and to highlight the capabilities of the Afghan Air Force. Over five hundred tribal leaders, children, Afghan and Coalition personnel took the opportunity to find out more.
The day was opened by Afghan Air Force Commander Major General Wardak, who welcomed all visitors to the Kandahar Air Wing. From there the visitors were invited to look round the Afghan and Coalition static aircraft parked on the flight line.
The RAF’s 12 (Bomber) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth, based at the airfield as part of 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, were invited by the Afghan Air Force to exhibit the Tornado GR4 aircraft. The squadron is a crucial asset in the skies over Afghanistan and operates in harmony with the Afghan Air Force to provide vital support to ground troops, including ANSF, and contributes to the ISAF mission to stabilise and develop Afghanistan.
The Tornado was a particular highlight and hundreds of excited school children and youngsters flocked to take advantage of a rare opportunity to visit the flight line and get a closer look at the GR4 and to speak
Envoy Spring 2012
to crews from 12(B) Squadron about their own military ambitions.
Shamamood, a local teacher said: “The older children are very interested in becoming pilots. We have not had any go through yet, but it is early days. Maybe it will prove successful in that way in the next few years.”
RAF personnel were delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the event. Fielding many of the questions was Officer Commanding 12(B) Sqn, Wg Cdr Jim Frampton who said: “The Sqn is half way through its four-month deployment and has had a particularly busy time. This event gives the people of Kandahar a chance to come in and talk to personnel who work on the airbase.
“For the Afghan adults and prominent elders here, the day has been about understanding the air forces based at Kandahar airfield and how they are aiming to promote stability.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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