RAF Benson personnel who braved rocket propelled grenades in Afghanistan were today presented with medals by Prince Michael of Kent.

The Queen’s cousin, who is Honorary Air Commodore of the Oxfordshire base, gave out Operational Service Medals to 63 members of Merlin Force who had been serving in Helmand Province since October.

Some of the men and women, who reassembled Merlin helicopters in the war-torn country, returned home to their families just days ago.

The dismantled helicopters were carried aboard C-17 transport planes to Camp Bastion, where RAF Benson engineers reassembled them a month ahead of schedule to start operations in November.

Squadron Leader Jack Jewiss said: “We have had Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and machine guns fired at us.

“The guys have been shot at, and we have been operating in areas of risk of being shot at. That is the day-to-day job that all support vehicles have been doing out there.”

Prince Michael told RAF personnel their actions had helped Afghanistan’s reconstruction.

He said: “For you to be presented with medals in recognition of your work is a privilege and an honour, and you have reason to be very proud of yourselves.”

Corporal Jay Phillips only returned to the UK on Saturday to be reunited with daughter Poppy, two, and Dillon, five months, after a 10-week tour of duty.

He said: “It is difficult being away, but you are so busy you just get on with the job in hand. Coming back is strange. It feels my little lad has grown so much, and my daughter is putting sentences together now.”

Flight Lieutenant Mike Jordan, 33, said: “Day to day, you really feel you are achieving stuff for guys on the ground.

“I’m genuinely proud of getting the medal, because we know we did a good job out there.”

Former nurse Flt Lt Jenny Ford, 33, spent Christmas and New Year away from husband Adam, overseeing the transport of wounded troops back to Britain.

But the couple got a Valentine’s Day surprise when she found out she would be going home on February 14 to be reunited with him.

When she landed at Brize Norton, he was waiting with a “Welcome Home” banner and a bunch of roses.