SHOOTING, swinging from ropes, and checking for bombs under cars were just some of the things practised by RAF reservists.

A group of Oxfordshire-based RAF reservists joined colleagues from across the UK and Europe over the early May Bank Holiday weekend to compete in the Altcar Challenge, a competition designed to test military skills.

Members of 4624 Movements Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton took part in the exercise.

The Army, Royal Navy and RAF were all represented, with servicemen and women from six other NATO countries making up the 45 teams taking part.

Contestants took on firefighting, battlefield first aid, training in combating incendiary devices, pistol-shooting, manning vehicle checkpoints and a gruelling assault course, among other tests.

They also had to march up to 1.5km at speed between the challenges.

Reservists of 4624 Squadron work alongside RAF regular personnel, handling passengers and freight at airfields around the world.

As part of their training, they undergo initial movements training, consisting of 12 weekends and a 17-day residential phase. This is then followed by further on-the-job training.

The squadron was formed in 1982 as a direct result of the Falklands conflict. It is the only movements squadron in the RAF Reserves, and also the largest squadron in the RAF reserves.

For more visit visit raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/organisation/no4624sqn.cfm