AIRMEN from North Yorkshire are playing a vital role in changing the lives of people in war-ravaged Iraq.

About 150 personnel from 34 Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Leeming are part of the force protection wing, presently deployed at Basra.

The wing, also from RAF Leeming, is the first of four newly-created groups to deploy since the concept was introduced last year.

The squadron's role in Basra is to ensure continued military and civilian air and land operations at the airport.

Their daily tasks include airfield and village patrols, as well as being on quick reaction alert in the event of an incident on or around the airport.

However, they are also working on a series of community projects designed to improve the quality of life for local people.

Overseeing the community work is Flight Lieutenant John Roylance, who said: "We've got three projects in the local area that are at different stages at the moment.

"One, which has just finished, was the reclamation of land in a northern village where the Shagamba, a Marsh Arab tribe, live.

"The Marsh Arabs that live in our area were separated historically by the former regime.

"What we have done is reclaim land in one of the tribal areas which means that the rest of the tribe can move back, build properties and all live in the same location."

Other work includes a road improvement project and the refurbishment and extension of a local medical centre.