MORAY is set to welcome home RAF personnel who have just completed an arduous deployment to Afghanistan.
A Homecoming Parade through Elgin next Wednesday will celebrate their safe return.
Over 150 members of No 5 Force Protection Wing, comprising members of 51 Squadron RAF Regiment and 2622(Highland) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment will march through the town behind the RAF pipe band, before halting outside St Giles Church for the salute.
A formation of four Tornados from RAF Lossiemouth will perform a flypast before the assembled troops are welcomed by the Convener of Moray Council, Councillor Stewart Cree, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Clare Russell, and Major General Seymour Monro, Honorary Air Commodore of 2622 (Highland) Squadron.
Following the welcome speeches there will be a rare opportunity to witness the presentation of military honours and medals to a number of airmen for their service in Afghanistan, an event normally held on the base.
The parade, which is hosted by the Moray Council, commences at 3.30pm.
Councillor Cree said: "The regiment were involved in defending the military base at Camp Bastion when it was attacked by heavily armed Taliban insurgents, and also suffered casualties from an IED (improvised explosive device) attack.
"The men and women on parade next Wednesday will have been at the very forefront of military action in Afghanistan, and I am sure that many of us will want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to them."
"We have arranged to have the parade at 3.30 in the afternoon to make it easier for local school pupils to attend, many of whom will have parents in the parade or in the RAF."
The Camp Bastion attack on September 14 left two US Marines dead and four US Harrier jets destroyed. Two RAF armoured vehicles were also disabled in the four-hour battle. It was reported at the time that 14 insurgents were killed by allied forces during the raid.
This most recent tour in Afghanistan is the third for the No 5 Force Protection Wing in 5 years.
