The following article is from Defence News - 29 May 2009
After six years of protecting the Contingency Operating Base (COB) at Basra International Airport and after completing their final patrol, the RAF Regiment came home from Iraq yesterday, Wednesday 27 May 2009.
Senior Aircraftman Sam Brown on patrol north of the Basra Contingency Operating Base for the last time
[Picture: Cpl Steven Hughes]
Personnel of 15 Squadron RAF Regiment, the last RAF Regiment unit to serve in southern Iraq, were greeted by emotional friends and family, as well as Defence Minister Quentin Davies, as they arrived at their home station of RAF Honington in Suffolk last night.
>From the initial operation to occupy Iraq in 2003, the RAF has taken responsibility for protecting the COB by deploying Force Protection Wings on six-month tours who also fostered relations with the Iraqi people in their patrol area.
The final Force Protection Wing to deploy recently handed over their responsibility for protecting the base to American forces who are also working with a number of remaining UK personnel who are tasked with ensuring a safe and ordered withdrawal of all UK forces' kit and equipment from southern Iraq.
Speaking as he left Iraq, the final Force Protection Wing's Commander, Wing Commander Simeon Sharples, said:
"I am immensely proud to be here as our mission in Iraq draws to a close and we prepare to leave."
As his troops prepared for their final patrol a few days ago, Wg Cdr Simeon said:
"I regularly visit village leaders and over time we have developed genuine trusting relationships. To me, the proof that Iraq is changing for the better is that these days my guys can go out and work alongside the Iraqi Police and Army and help develop something close to a normal policing role.
At the forefront of the Force Protection Wing's activities are the RAF Regiment squadrons who have rotated through the COB in six-month tours.
Squadron Leader Chris Berryman,15 Squadron RAF Regiment, said:
"This has been hard work in a hard environment with very real threats. I am pleased to say that every one of my team has lived up to the challenge - they have responded to this most difficult of jobs as I would expect of any member of the RAF Regiment: with vigour, enthusiasm and a determination to see the task to the very end with total professionalism."
Reflecting on his tour, Sqn Ldr Berryman said:
"Our regimental history has been linked with Iraq since 1922 when 3 RAF Armoured Car Company was formed at Basra. The Iraqi people have been our friend for a long time and I like to think that we have now invested in their future."
However, there has been a price to pay for the rewards of the RAF Regiment. Four of their gunners have been killed on operations in Iraq, three during one rocket attack in July 2007.
Gunners from 15 Squadron RAF Regiment carry out their last patrol south of the Basra Contingency Operating Base
[Picture: Cpl Steven Hughes]
In its time at the COB the RAF Regiment has responded to many incidents ranging from intruders to the airfield to combating insurgent rocket teams targeting the airfield, who launched over 220 attacks on the base during one three-month period in 2007.
The sad loss of Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard from 1 Squadron RAF Regiment during a battle with insurgents marked a low point in the history of the RAF Regiment.
However, the bravery of the squadron members under fire was recognised when Corporal Dave Hayden was awarded the Military Cross for his acts of selfless bravery during the fierce battle. Other squadron members were awarded honourable mentions for their activities on that day.
15 Squadron RAF Regiment's final patrol in Basra was the last of over 5,000 combat patrols that the wing have conducted in the past six years.
The squadron's vehicles, kit and equipment must now be prepared for an ordered return to the UK with hundreds of tons of similar military hardware.
The Joint Force Logistic Command will ensure the smooth return of all equipment and will remain in Iraq until every item on the Iraq military inventory, from chapsticks to Challenger tanks, is cleaned, checked, fixed, packed and properly accounted for and then shipped to its next shelf, camp or warehouse ready for use again.
Flying Officer Jonathan Giffin and his interpreter on the last British patrol south of the Basra Contingency Operating Base
[Picture: Cpl Steven Hughes]
As the sun set on the last RAF Regiment in Iraq, Commander of British Forces in Iraq, Brigadier Paul Stearns, said:
"It gives me great pleasure to see our combat role come to an end. The RAF Regiment have provided a pivotal function here in Basra, they have afforded us and the local population the peace of mind that we are safe going about our business in and around the base.
"We can now look forward to a new relationship with the Iraqi people, one of close co-operation in terms of economics, culture, commerce, defence and development. Without the efforts of the Force Protection Wing and all the three Services' personnel who have served in Iraq over the past six years, this would not be possible."
On behalf of the RAF Force Protection and RAF Regiment capability at Headquarters Air Command, Group Captain Andy Hall said:
"This is time to reflect on the considerable commitment that our people and families have made over the years in Iraq, their professionalism, grit and determination. Our thoughts especially go out to those who have died whilst serving on this operation, they will always be remembered.
Flying Officer Jonathan Giffin and his interpreter take a break with some Basra locals at the Guesthouse where they were invited for a drink of tea during the last British patrol south of the Basra Contingency Operating Base
[Picture: Cpl Steven Hughes]
"The return of our final combat troops from Iraq marks another important phase in our very proud history.
"The men of the RAF Regiment have risked their lives daily over the past six years, so that our other servicemen and women can go about their missions as safely as possible.
"It is a great testament to their efforts that the lives of the local people have improved through the security that has been provided, along with projects to enhance their way of life, education and agriculture - this is, after all, why we came to Iraq in the first place.
"This is an honourable end state and the RAF Regiment should be proud of its legacy in Iraq and the immense capability that it has to offer."
The UK military mission in Basra is complete and all UK military personnel will have withdrawn from Basra by the end of July 2009. Any UK military personnel remaining in Iraq beyond that time will do so at the request of the Government of Iraq, as part of our broad-based bilateral relationship. This will see close co-operation in a range of areas: economic, cultural, commercial, educational, and defence.
[End of Defence News article - © Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
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