The royal guest speaks with Basingstoke resident Sergeant Liz McConaghy

THE PRINCE of Wales flew into RAF Odiham this week to award operational medals to personnel who have served in war-ravaged Afghanistan and Iraq.

The heir to the throne gave medals to 85 personnel from the base including 7, 18 and 27 Squadrons - the three Chinook helicopter squadrons that call Odiham home.

He also gave three pilots their wings and presented good conduct awards.

After flying in by helicopter on Wednesday, the royal visitor took the salute from a parade in front of 27 Squadron hangar, led by the Central Band of the RAF.

Servicemen and women stood in formation in front of their friends and families as they each proudly received medals from the prince for their tours of duty, ranging from two to 36 months.

The prince then watched as a Chinook from the base's flying display team performed a series of nosedives and spins.

The royal guest - whose eldest son William recently underwent helicopter training at Odiham - also met 150 Union flag-waving schoolchildren, who had been invited from Buryfields Infant School and Mayhill Junior School in Odiham, and from Long Sutton Primary School.

Prince Charles, who is the Air Chief Marshal of the RAF, subsequently joined the squadrons for a buffet lunch in the hangar, during which he chatted with personnel before leaving for another engagement.

Prince Charles with RAF Odiham station commander Group Captain Andy Turner

Wing Commander Dom Toriati, of 27 Squadron, said: "To have a senior member of the Royal Family come to Odiham is a great honour.

"He has long taken an interest in the work we have been trying to do here over the years, and he has had people from the base come up to Clarence House to brief him. He takes a real interest in what we do here."

The Chinooks have been deployed for operations against the Taliban and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan. They have also been part of the force that defeated Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq and has since battled the insurgency there.

Sergeant Rebecca Nicholls received an operational medal for the two months she recently spent in Afghanistan - her first tour of duty abroad.

Sgt Nicholls said: "The ceremony was amazing. He was interested in everyone, asking them questions."

In Afghanistan, the 28-year-old served as a Loadmaster on a Chinook from RAF Odiham, manning the aircraft's machine gun and helping unload ammunition and food for Army personnel on the ground.

She said: "The first thing you notice is that the country is beautiful. It's just a shame that there is so much violence there."

William Harper, a Year 4 pupil at Mayhill Junior School, said: "I felt excited because I have never seen anyone who is royalty without them being on the television."

10:14am Friday 16th May 2008

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