AIRLIFTING marines out of a fierce firefight in the heart of Iraq was RAF Odiham's "finest hour", according to the base's commander.

Wing Commander Gavin Davey, the current acting station commander, has spoken for the first time of the harsh conditions that personnel from the base underwent during the conflict in Iraq, when they played a vital role in supporting front-line troops.

Wing Cdr Davey has, himself, recently returned from three months in the region, and said the aircrews' conduct while under fire in one incident had been their "finest hour".

The conflict saw the biggest-ever deployment of personnel from the base, with around 600 people sent to Kuwait and then onwards into Iraq following the lead of the American troops.

Their Chinook helicopters played a key role in supplying the front line with weapons and supplies in a region where sand storms and land mines were an added complication, and they had to work in the pitch black of the desert at night.

Wing Cdr Davey said: "I have to say that it did make you reflect on life slightly, as the forward bases were in firing range of the bad guys."

In one incident on the Al Faw peninsular, at the height of the conflict, helicopters from RAF Odiham were sent to help American forces, coming under heavy mortar fire in the process.

"The US special forces were in there, and then 40 Commando went in under fire, which was a bit of a surprise to our crews who were told 'can you just hold off a minute, we have got some incoming mortars'.

"Then 42 Commando had to go in and back up 40 Commando - and we had every Chinook and Puma helicopter from here in the air to lift the marines out of there.

"It was said that it was the largest opposed air assault since Vietnam, which was a sobering thought, and the crews went home to reflect on an interesting night's flying.

"That particular part of the Al Faw peninsular was probably our finest hour."

Many of the base's personnel have already returned home from the war. However, the aircrews of 18 Squadron are not due to come home until June, when 27 Squadron will relieve them.

Wing Cdr Davey said: "This will be an enduring operation for us, similar to the commitments in Northern Ireland and the Balkans."

He added, though, that he considered the operation to be rewarding, and said: "As the Iraqi people came out of their houses, you could see that these people had probably not smiled for a very long time. But when we went over the border, they were smiling, which was one of the most satisfying things.

"We really did feel that we did some good there. There were dangers, but that is what we have been trained for."