WHILE most people were tucking into their turkey yesterday, personnel from an RAF base in the region have been hard at work maintaining vital communication links in Afghanistan.

Almost 100 members of 90 Signals Unit (90SU), based at RAF Leeming, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, deployed earlier this month on a tour which will call on them to service intricate communications equipment in harsh conditions.

The unit’s Number 3 Field Communications Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing, is the first to be deployed on a four-month tour, instead of the ten weeks previously.

The change is designed to maximise training time for personnel, while providing continuity to the operational environment.

Group Captain John Philliban, commanding officer of 90SU, said the deployment and training rhythm will ensure that his personnel are well prepared to provide a service which is taken for granted by some, but vital to operational effectiveness and even flight safety.

Every aircraft taking off from and landing at Camp Bastion – the UK’s main base in Afghanistan – will come into contact with a 90SUinstalled piece of equipment at some point.

Operational communications between the RAF in the war zone and the UK would be impossible without the efforts of the unit’s personnel.

Gp Capt Philliban said: “We provide personnel with what many take for granted at their home bases in terms of airfield navigation aids, computer services and telecommunications.

“Indeed, over the next four months, 3 Squadron will be responsible for the provision of these services, many of which are mission-critical and cover a wide range of complex systems, ranging from satellite ground terminals to highly complex data exchanges and servers, often in less-than ideal conditions with high temperatures and sand to contend with.”

Over the festive season, support provided to the personnel’s family back home will include coffee mornings and Christmas parties for their children.

Deploying over Christmas may seem tough, but some were looking forward to the mission.

Senior Aircraftsman Kieran Newsham said: “I can’t wait. This is my first posting with the RAF, and I started training for deployment in May. I’m apprehensive, but excited at the same time.

“I’ve never been away from home for that long, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”