Marham Tornado crews return

Crews from RAF Marham were among the first in the frontline in Iraq.

The air and ground crew of RAF Marham's 31 Squadron arrived home from the Gulf on Tuesday.

Family and colleagues met them as they returned to the West Norfolk base after four months away.

Tornados from the base were among the first on the front line in the war carrying out precision bombing raids across Iraq.

The squadron is the first of the three Marham-based squadrons in the Gulf to head for home.

The air and ground crew flew back in an RAF Tristar.

'A harrowing experience'

Flying Officer Pete Beilby said: "We had one night-trip that was reasonably eventful....before we ended up dropping bombs just south of Baghdad. "

Wing Commander Paddy Teakle said that many had grown up while in the Gulf.

"They went out as youngsters and they come back as men who've gone through quite a harrowing experience," he said.

Tornado bombers are staying in the Gulf for a while longer.

A pilot and navigator from the base were killed five weeks ago in a "friendly fire" incident.

Flight Lieutenants David Rhys-Williams and Kevin Maine were shot down by an American patriot missile near the Kuwait border.