Airmens' escort for the president
Royal Air Force Lyneham
23rd February 2009
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
Airmen from RAF Lyneham have been recruited for a very special mission.

The Hercules Detachment of 24/30 Squadron, part of 904 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) are based in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

And last week they were given the job of transporting the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, from the capital in Kabul to the south of the country.

Despite the high profile passenger onboard for the crew it was just another flight.

Group Captain Tony Toner, the Chief of Staff (Operations) with 904 EAW said: "With direct support to the troops on the ground, airdrops, leaflet drops and the ferrying of Afghan Security Forces, for 904 EAW the Hercules aircraft and crews are vital elements of the RAF's work in Afghanistan and to be able to support the President's visit was a real honour.

"President Karzai was very open in his discussions and to hear his thoughts on the importance of international contribution towards his country’s development was a real education."