Honington: Soldiers Back From Afghanistan

18 May 2012, 15:27 | Updated: 18 May 2012, 15:30

Some 100 soldiers from H Squadron, 1st Royal Tank Regiment, based at RAF Honington will return home from Afghanistan today.

The soldiers will be returning to the base at 5.00pm, to be met by their families after completing a three-month tour of Afghanistan.

On arrival at the base, the soldiers will form up at their Squadron Offices where the Squadron flag will be raised to signify their return home, before marching to the mess led by the Pipes and Drums, where they will be greeted by their families.

Based in Camp Bastion, the soldiers have been responsible for delivering the Reception, Staging and Onward Integration (RSOI) training that is mandatory for all soldiers entering Afghanistan. It is the final stage of a six-month-long training package to ensure that the soldiers have the most up-to-date tactics, techniques, procedures and intelligence at their disposal.

The training also provides a time for initial acclimatisation to allow the body to adapt to the harsh climate of Afghanistan, reducing the impact of heat on the body?s performance.

Amongst those returning will be Lieutenant Sean Sapsford. Originally from Suffolk, this was his first operational tour. His fiancé Georgina will be there to meet him. The couple are due to get married  in Spring 2013.

Married father of two Staff Sergeant Lee Simon will also be met by his family. This was his second operational tour, having deployed in 2009. 

The soldiers will return to Afghanistan in late summer for a further three months when they will deliver the ROSI training package to soldiers who have deployed on Op Herrick 17.