Airmen and women from Norfolk base honoured for ‘making history’ in Libya and Afghanistan

Members of the Shiny Two's - aka Norfolk-based I(AC) Squadron - paraded in their combat fatigues before their loved ones and their senior officers, before being presented with campaign medals.

As he called the parade to attention, II(AC)'s commanding officer Wing Cmdr Nick Tucker-Lowe told them: 'Be proud today, because you deserve to be proud. Against all the odds, you excelled again, again and again. This is history in the making. This is history you have made.'

Airmen and women stood at ease, as Marham's base commander Group Capt David Cooper spoke to every squadron member, as he handed them their 'gongs'.

The presentation was due to have been carried out by Air Marshall Dick Garwood - a former CO of both II(AC) and RAF Marham - but his plane was unable to take off for the flight to Norfolk due to the freezing fog.

Afterwards, group Capt Cooper said: 'It's a fantastically proud day for RAF Marham and for II(AC) Squadron.

'The past 18 months has proved to be an incredibly busy chapter in II Army Co-operation squadron's rich 100 year history.

'The Operation Unified protector missions in the skies over libya last year were both gruelling and exqcting for aircrew and support personnel, yet the squadron achieved remarkable success in securing the opportunity for the Libyan people to choosse their future without the fear of Gaddafi's tyranny.

'Our recent Operation herrick deployment to Afghanistan was very different to operations over Libya, but again all of the squadron's personnel rose to the immense challenges before them and delivered truly battle-winning support to UK, Coalition and Afghan forces.'

Group Capt Cooper paid tribute to those who kept the home fires burning at home.

'None of this would be possible, however, without our loved ones and neighbours, who have coped and supported us so well while we have been away,' he said.

See tomorrow's EDP for a full report and pictures.