A GUNNER based at RAF Brize Norton has been honoured for his bravery while serving out in Afghanistan.

Senior Aircraftman Wayne Ince, of 501 Squadron, part of the RAF Reserves, has been awarded a Joint Commander’s Commendation.

The award recognised his work while in Afghanistan with No 1 RAF Regiment.

The 44-year-old, a trainee ambulance technician, was deployed to Kandahar airfield in September last year.

While out on patrol, he spotted Taliban insurgents launching rockets at the base.

He was able to radio in a warning of the attack and his unit then captured the insurgents, which led to further arrests in Kandahar and a fall in the number of rocket attacks on the airfield, the main British base in the country.

In the citation for his award, SAC Ince’s actions are described as an example of professionalism and commitment.

SAC Ince, from Northampton, said: “Lots of times when we were out on patrol, you would see a rocket being launched but would be too far away to do anything about it but radio in a warning, so it was good this time to be able to make a difference.”