THOUSANDS of cheering wellwishers lined the streets to welcome RAF officers and airmen home from Afghanistan.

Members of RAF Leeming’s Number 2 Force Protection Wing (2FP), 34 Squadron RAF Regiment and airmen from 609 (West Riding) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force marched through Bedale, North Yorkshire, yesterday.

2FP Wing have just returned from a sevenmonth tour of Afghanistan, during which they experienced extreme weather and hostile conditions while separated from the families over Christmas.

More than 700 local schoolchildren, 350 servicemen from RAF Leeming and more than 1,500 well wishers, including proud parents, families and loved ones, lined the Market Place to wave their flags and cheer the returning heroes.

The Band of the Royal Air Force College from RAF Cranwell led the parade, which was followed by a medal ceremony.

The Operational Service medal with the Afghanistan Clasp was presented to 41 servicemen by Air Commodore Russ La Forte, Honorary Chief of Staff for 2FP Wing and the new Mayor of Bedale, Councillor Amanda Coates.

At one point during the presentation, someone from the crowd shouted out: “You’re all really amazing and we’re all so proud of you all”, raising a smile from the men.

Number 2 Force Protection Wing was based at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province and conducted Force Protection Operations in which they protected the airfield and landing zones and supported the medical emergency response team Wing Commander Gus Powell said: “It’s a challenging place to live, let alone to work there, but the guys are pretty robust – they did quite a few 16- hour days. The people of Bedale have once again showed us their amazing support by turning out in such large numbers to welcome us home.”

Squadron Leader Morgan Williams, officer Commanding Number 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, said: “The high point for me is this – all of my men are back safely and the job was achieved.”

For Senior Aircraftman Jamie Whittaker, 19, who is from Bedale, it was his second tour of Afghanistan.

“I knew what to expect this time, but I still missed home every day – the normality of everyday life,”

he said.

“It’s a nice feeling to be in the parade – my wife came down for it.” .

He said he was looking forward to six weeks leave and going on holiday with his wife, followed by another trip away with friends.

Coun Coates said: “The parade was absolutely fantastic, I loved every minute of it. There was a wonderful atmosphere and it was an absolute privilege to hand out the medals to the lads.”