RAF crews who braved rocket and machine gun fire to support British soldiers in Afghanistan were among military personnel honoured yesterday.

A Merlin helicopter flew low over Wallingford’s Market Place as air and ground crews from RAF Benson – and Royal Navy personnel who served alongside them – were presented with Operation Herrick medals for their service in Afghanistan.

And in Abingdon 28 Royal Logistic Corps soldiers based at Dalton Barracks received their medals after tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Both ceremonies were held ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

Members of Benson’s 28 and 78 Squadrons used their Merlin helicopters to transport troops around Helmand.

Since they were first deployed in Afghanistan at the end of last year, the Merlins have flown for more than 2,500 hours and transported more than 26,000 troops.

But fire from the ground is always a threat, with crews constantly on their guard against the threat of attacks.

Squadron Leader David Morris, 46 said: “In an instant, you can be in a lot of trouble. There are a lot of weapons out there and a lot of Taliban.

“They will use machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades against the helicopters, and at certain stages, when you have to slow down, you can become vulnerable.”

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Sam Thompson, 25, left for Afghanistan weeks after his wife Abbe gave birth to their first child, Zachary. He is now eight months old.

Flt Lt Thompson spent up to 10 hours a day flying in a cockpit where temperatures could hit 50C (122F) in the sun. On one mission his helicopter was hit by machine gun fire.

Mrs Thompson, 25, said: “I’m not looking forward to when Sam goes back out there later this year, because he will miss Zachary’s birthday and Christmas.”

They received the medals from Oxfordshire’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Nigel Mogg.

In Abingdon, members of 4 Logisitic Support Regiment received their medals from mayor Duncan Brown in front of the Guildhall.

The regiment operated from the main British base in Helmand, at Camp Bastion.

Their job was to deliver supplies by road to British forward operating bases.

Lieutenant Sarah Mendham said they were under “continuous threat” from roadside bombs. She said: “I’m proud of them all. They all worked extremely hard.”

Lance Corporal Ben Rishton returned from a four-month tour of duty two days before his first child, Olivia, was born 16 weeks ago. The 23-year-old soldier said: “It was difficult at times, because my wife was pregnant.”

Private Joe Crosby, 21, a driver, spent seven months in Afghanistan. He said: “It was quite hard for my mum, as I went out there just as my brother came back.

“But my friends and family know it was what I signed up for and it’s what I want to do.”

Mr Brown said: “It was an honour to present the medals. I’m always impressed by these people. They have got guts.”

  • In Carterton prayers were said at the war memorial yesterday before an Armed Forces Day flag was raised in the presence of personnel from RAF Brize Norton and councillors.