COMRADES based at RAF Benson are celebrating their helicopter fleet reaching a milestone of 10,000 flying hours.

The Puma 2 helicopters reached the staggering feat today.

The aircrafts form the Puma Force, in which 350 people work across two squadrons.

Puma 2 was declared operational in February 2015, and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of a NATO mission just over three weeks later.

It was an upgrade on the Puma 1, which was used during the 1970s and 80s.

Group Captain Simon Paterson, the Puma Force Commander and RAF Benson Station Commander in Wallingford, said: "The achievement of 10,000 flying hours since the introduction of the Puma 2 helicopter capability highlights the remarkable commitment and excellent teamwork by the squadron personnel, the project team, industry and others. 

"To achieve this alongside a continuous detachment in Afghanistan has been exceptional and reinforces the importance of support helicopter capabilities to Defence."

The 24 helicopters have took part in key operations, which has seen them lift more than 15,000 passengers and over 36,000kgs of freight.