RAF Wittering: Troops prepare for Afghanistan tour
MORE than 100 troops from RAF Wittering are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan to undertake a "crucial part of the war effort".
MORE than 100 troops from RAF Wittering are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan to undertake a "crucial part of the war effort".No 3 Squadron RAF Regiment and No 1 RAF Force Protection Wing HQ will begin a five-month tour in Helmand Province in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban.
And the squadrons will be doing the vital job of patrolling outside the wire at Camp Bastion to enable NATO air operations to take off and land - described as "dominating the ground" and "giving freedom to the skies".
Related feature:
Our man in Afghanistan: ET reporter David Old with troops in Helmand Province
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And the huge challenge is one our boys from RAF Wittering are relishing according to Wing Commander Michael Smeath, who will be the overall commander on the ground.
He said: "We have a huge responsibility but it is a responsibility we consider a privilege to have."
A total of 107 personnel will deployed between today and Tuesday.
And yesterday, The Evening Telegraph joined the brave airmen on their return from leave to complete final preparations as well as swap Christmas gifts.
And with winter temperatures in Afghanistan currently one degree above freezing, top of gift lists has been thermals.
For city born Senior Aircraftman, Tony Sallis (23), who lives in Hampton Hargate, it will be his first tour of duty.
He plans to say his final farewells to his family on Sunday.
SAC Sallis, a gunner in RAF 3 Squadron, and former Deepings Comprehensive School pupil, added: "It's tough on our families.
"My mum still thinks I am her baby boy, but to us, this is what we do, it's just our job".
"It's my first tour so I am expecting a lot of surprises but most of all a lot of hard work.
He added: "But we have been training for this intensely over the last three months and I feel ready.
"I am very proud and excited to be representing Peterborough."
And 3 Squadron's adopted pin-up calendar girl, Susie Hutson was also there to wave off the boys and her partner.
She said: "Christmas is going to be really hard with him over there.
"I have just said to him and the other boys - just come home safe."
The squadrons will fly out from RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, for the Afghan warzone.
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Thursday 29 July 2010
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