Servicemen Return To RAF Honington

6 November 2010, 07:37 | Updated: 6 November 2010, 09:48

Nearly 150 of our servicemen will be welcomed home from tour of duty in Afghanistan later.

1 Squadron RAF Regiment are returning to their home base of RAF Honington on after a six month tour of duty at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

After landing at RAF Mildenhall at about 3.55 p.m. the 139 personnel of 1 Squadron RAF Regiment will travel to their home base of RAF Honington and should arrive back at about 5.00 p.m.  They will be met by more than 300 family, friends and colleagues to welcome them home.  

TIMINGS:

1555 hrs  Expected time of arrival of 1 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Mildenhall
1700 hrs  1 Sqn RAF Regt arrival at RAF Honington

Jane's welcoming home her husband flight sergeant Pat Bounsall from 1 squadron. She told Heart she can barely contain her excitement, "I'm going to be like a child at Christmas, waiting for Santa to come and open my toys. That's how I am. You're just waiting for those buses to come through."

She also told us even after 22 years of marriage, it's still hard to watch him go away, "You'll never get used to your husband going away, no matter how long you've been married. I cry if he goes away for two days - let alone six months."

Jane also told Heart that she never feels like she's on her own and always has support. She told us about something called the Rear Party - which involves serviceman who haven't gone out to Afghanistan giving support and help to people who's family members are on tour of duty, as well as helping servicemen who are out there. She said, "It's hard for some wives with young babies. They need that support. You've always, always got it. SAFA are fantastic. The rear party is always there. What support we have is fantastic - you can't be more grateful really, when you're in need."