So what do 606 do when they are overseas?

606 (Chiltern) Sqn staff are employed in many roles when serving overseas, this is just a little insight into the life of a Passenger Handler with the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) 'we work from when the Aircrew start til they finish. First thing on the way to work, we collect the latest flying program for the day and the codewords for talking to the aircraft. On arrival at the office, we carry out a FOD (Foreign Object Damage) plod of the area. On the Control desk, we have flying program for each aircraft for that day. We write a passenger manifest out for each one listing departure time, aircraft type and destination. Every passenger that arrives, their names get added to a particular manifest. This is what is used if something happens to the aircraft, so it's very important that it's clear and correct. There is constant contact with the Ops room as the program can and does change frequently. We can also add extra people to an aircraft is there is space available, making full use of any assets we have. As a Pax Handler outside, we then put those booked in into holding tents until their aircraft is ready. They get a H+S brief on what to do and not to do when they board and make sure their weapons are not made ready. After checking with the Loadmaster, the pax are brought forward and marshalled onto the aircraft, along with any freight. Once the Loadmaster is happy, we back away from the aircraft and it taxi's away. After a FOD plod of the area, we start all over again.'