Chris Hill A fast jet navigator from RAF Marham joined an elite few when he clocked up 5,000 hours in the air during a sortie over Iraq.

Chris Hill

A fast jet navigator from RAF Marham joined an elite few when he clocked up 5,000 hours in the air during a sortie over Iraq.

Sqn Ldr Pete Ward is currently serving with the Tornadoes of 2 Squadron at the Norfolk base, although he joined 13 Squadron during their detachment in the Middle East.

He described the milestone as a “great success” and, after more than 20 years in the skies, he praised the RAF's continued innovations in exerting their control of the air.

“There is never a dull moment and never a time when we cannot think of new ways of using air power,” he said.

Air Commodore Mike Harwood, the UK's air component commander in the Middle East, said:

“Flying long and varied missions over the length and breadth of Iraq is the name of the game these days.

“Pete's experience is invaluable, using the many capabilities of his aircraft to help the Iraqi and coalition forces against those self-serving militias whose only aim in life seems to be wanton violence and preventing the return of normality.”

Sqn Ldr Ward took his first flight in September 1981 and served with the RAF in Germany before his posting to Marham.