A PLANE carrying the bodies of five British servicemen killed in Afghanistan this month has touched down on home soil.
The C-17 transport aircraft flew into RAF Brize Norton, as the situation in the country it left descends into one of the most violent periods in its history.
Private Craig O'Donnell, of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead, Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch and Fijian Ranger Anare Draiva, all from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, and Corporal Mark Wright, of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment, were all killed in attacks by insurgents.
Defence Secretary Des Browne, the Duke of Kent, Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup and Commander in Chief Land, General Sir Redmond Watt were at Brize Norton for the repatriation service along with members of the men's families.
Bearer parties for each flag-draped coffin were drawn from the units of each of the deceased.
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