Airbase students prepare for Afghanistan

A Shropshire airbase has been praised by former students who have returned to train on Chinook helicopters as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan.

RAF Shawbury and the Defence Helicopter Flying School are assisting with preparations for front line operations following the return of ex-students with No 18 Squadron who are due to offer operational support to ground troops.

The squadron, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, is operating from the airbase until Friday, including day and night flying.

The squadron will be providing direct support to ground operations being carried out by the 1st Royal Irish Regiment from Tern H ill, which will also be deploying to Afghanistan in the summer.

Sergeant Darrell Harding, a Chinook crewman, is about to embark on his sixth tour to Afghanistan.

Response

He said: "From here we are able to go to places like Wales and the lakes and are able to take part in activities such as resupplying, reactive tasking where you are to do something at the last minute, and acting as the immediate response team."

Flight Lieutenant Jon Singh pilots Chinooks and also trained at the airbase between 2003 and 2004.

He is about to embark on is third tour to Afghanistan.

He said: "Coming to places like RAF Shawbury provides the groundwork for our training and is vital for our learning as we prepare to go to Afghanistan."

Group Captain Warren James, Station Commander at RAF Shawbury, said that he was delighted to welcome the Chinooks to the airbase and added that it was important for personnel to see them.

"It is great to see the Chinooks kitted out and armed as they would be if they were being used in Afghanistan. It is important for the personnel here, especially the youngsters, to see them."

The Chinooks complete their night flying at 3am tomorrow.

By James Pugh