RAF PERSONNEL have marked the end of 13 years of service in Afghanistan with a parade through a North Yorkshire market town.

RAF communications specialists from 90 Signals Unit, based at RAF Leeming, paraded along Bedale High Street today (Friday, March 27) to mark the end of Operation Herrick for the longest continuously-serving in Afghanistan.

The unit will also be reorganised with three instead of four squadrons within its tactical communications wing.

Although often the unseen heroes of military operations, 90 Signals Unit delivered secure communications systems and air traffic control capabilities in support of UK Forces deployed to Helmand, Camp Bastion, Kandahar Air Base and in Kabul.

Group Captain David Rowlands, Commanding Officer 90 Signals Unit, said: “We were deployed from the very start of operations in Afghanistan and were there until the very last element came out in December 2014.

“This has been an immensely proud day. We’re representing all of the personnel who served in Afghanistan with 90SU over the past 13 years.”

The unit was welcomed through Bedale by Mayor Cllr Christine Mollard, who said: “We enjoy doing homecoming parades for RAF Leeming; they are part of our community.

“90 Signals Unit served a long time in Afghanistan – they were one of the first units in and one of the last out. We are very proud of all of them.”

On parade was Warrant Officer Donna Trenholme, who deployed all over Afghanistan five times between 2005 and 2009.

She said: “I helped provide communications at Kandahar and Bastion. It was hard work but very rewarding.

“I’m proud to be part of this parade through my home town and to represent the unit.”