A SQUADRON which provides ground defence for the RAF has celebrated its return from operations in Afghanistan with a homecoming parade.

Members of the 34 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment marched across its base at RAF Leeming, near Bedale, after handing over UK Force Protection (FP) at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) to the Army’s Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The squadron had been deployed for six months as part of the International Security Assistance Force and were responsible for protecting all UK assets, using sniper rifles, machine guns and light and medium mortars at the country’s second largest airport and military base.

During their tour, they were deployed on daily inside and outside the base, which has for the last decade been a RAF Regiment commitment, however, they hand over to an Army Regiment for the first time.

The returning personnel, who were presented with medals and service commendations after today’s (Thursday, July 4) parade will be given a period of leave before their pre-deployment training is started as they are due to return to Afghanistan next April.

Earlier this week, members of RAF communications specialists 90 Signals Unit, based at the North Yorkshire airbase, were presented with long service, good conduct, accumulated campaign service and operational service medals.

After receiving his accumulated campaign service medal, recognising more than 24 months of operational service, Flight Sergeant Gavin Robinson said: “It’s a fantastic feeling and is a reminder of how much time I have spent on operations.”

Fl Sgt Robinson, whose first operational tour was in Bahrain 20 years ago, has recently completed his fifth tour of Afghanistan.

Group Captain Chris Moore, commanding officer of 90 Signals Unit, said: “Day to day we deal with a lot of challenges and days like today remind you what it’s all about, the success of the unit and the success of the individuals.”