Three of the five members of 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, currently deployed on Operation HERRICK, recently met up whilst serving with the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) (JHF(A). All three are part-time reservist personnel mobilised to serve alongside their regular counterparts. All will return to their civilian careers when they have completed their tour of duty.
Senior Aircraftsman Les Parren BEM and Senior Aircraftsman Tom Baxendale are serving as Passenger Handlers, ensuring that troops, equipment and other vital supplies are correctly loaded onto the Merlin, Chinook and Sea King aircraft of the Joint Helicopter Force for transport throughout Helmand province. They are joined by Senior Aircraftswoman Sarah Burgess.
Senior Aircraftsman Jim Izzard is nearing the end of his tour with the Tactical Supply Wing, where he has been employed carrying out the essential task of refuelling all of the aircraft of the JHF(A) and those of other coalition partners.
