NINE Puma helicopters previously stationed in Northern Ireland have arrived at their new base at RAF Benson, along with 250 servicemen and their families.
For the first time, all of the RAF’s Pumas will be stationed at Benson, following the move of 230 Squadron from Aldergrove, near Belfast.
They arrived at Benson in formation on Tuesday, right.
Flight Lieutenant Paul Tweddle, 29, who served on three tours of duty in Iraq, was one of the first to make the move with wife Lena, 26, and daughter Emily, two.
He said: “The local area is a lot more friendly than Northern Ireland. You know the people around here are on your side.”
Some of the Pumas are being used to train troops in Kenya before they go on tours of duty in Afghanistan. The Pumas will be modernised by Eurocopter at Oxford Airport, in Kidlington, before going to Afghanistan in 2012.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here