Town shows support to RAF Wing returning from Afghanistan

The parade through the town was accompanied by the Band of the RAF Regiment and marked the end of a difficult seven-month commitment for the Wing, which lost Corporal Marcin Wojtak to an improvised explosive device blast on 1 October 2009.

Following the parade, personnel from the Wing, who are based at RAF Leeming, were presented with their campaign medals in a ceremony attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Air Commodore Simon Bostock RAF (Retired), RAF Leeming Station Commander, Group Captain William Gibson, and Mayor of Bedale, Councillor Wanda Reynolds. The event concluded with a reception for parade personnel.

Those on parade were deeply touched by the support shown by the people of Bedale. Squadron Leader 'George' Formby, Officer Commanding 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, who are part of No 2 Force Protection Wing, said:

"It was an emotional day and we were very impressed by the turn-out. We certainly didn't expect that many people, it was a very warm welcome.

"The guys have now seen for themselves just how respected they are and how appreciative people are of the job they are doing. It was a very poignant day with the high point of coming back set against the low point of losing Corporal Wojtak. It was a fitting opportunity for the whole squadron to remember him together."

Returning from his first operational tour was Senior Aircraftman Gavin Mason. He was also overwhelmed by the support received from the people of Bedale. He said:

"It's hard to put it into words but it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck that people would come out and clap for us.

"It was a hard deployment but I've done it and know what's expected in the future. I'm part of the team now."

Senior Aircraftman Mason, who celebrated his 20th birthday in Afghanistan, also remembered his colleague who did not make it home. He said:

"Marcin will not be forgotten - he was the one person we could always go to if we had any problems."

Group Captain Gibson added:

"It is a tremendous honour to welcome back 2 Force Protection Wing. We are extremely appreciative of the support provided by the Mayor and the townspeople of Bedale to all at RAF Leeming and the regiment in particular. We would like to thank them all for the tremendous support to us as part of the local community."

No 2 Force Protection Wing's role at Camp Bastion was to work alongside international forces to protect the air base, and in particular the air assets which operate out of there on a daily basis. This involved conducting daily patrols outside the base and forming relationships with the local community and elders in order to build their trust.

34 Squadron RAF Regiment personnel also formed part of the Medical Evacuation Response Team, a Chinook reaction team that attends to military and civilian casualties. The 34 Squadron personnel provided close protection which enabled medics and doctors to tend to their patients as safely as possible within a potentially fraught environment.

No 2 Force Protection Wing have now had some much-deserved leave, and are getting ready to enter a new training phase before their next deployment later this year.