MEMBERS of the RAF Regiment at a North base are on their way to guard an airfield in Afghanistan.

About 130 personnel from 34 Squadron at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, will protect Kandahar airfield, which plays an essential role in UK and Allied operations in southern Afghanistan.

The airfield has been subject to periodic rocket attacks.

Commanding officer Squad-ron Leader Jez Parkinson said: "The RAF Regiment are a highly specialised airfield defence force able to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice. The troops of 34 Squadron have been training for a potential deployment to Afghanistan for the past eight months."

The squadron has previously served in Afghanistan, operating from Kabul in 2001, and more recently completed several tours of Iraq.

Sqn Ldr Parkinson said: "We have completed a thorough training package over the past several months and the men are looking forward to getting into theatre and doing the jobs they have trained for.

"We are going to provide security for both the civilian airport at Kandahar and the military personnel who live there."

Wing Commander Ian Vallely, station commander at RAF Leeming, said: "Personnel are extremely highly trained and have specialist skills that make them most suited to carry out their vital role."