TROOPS from RAF Odiham attended a memorial service in Afghanistan for fallen comrades marking the end of UK Combat Operations in the war-torn country.

Chinook helicopter crews from RAF Odiham joined their brothers in arms to remember the 453 servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Afghanistan campaign.

British and coalition troops gathered at the Afghan National Army Officers Academy (ANAOA) in Kabul as they paid their tributes.

Three Chinook crews from the north Hampshire airbase remained in the country when British troops withdrew in November last year.

Since November 2014, the detachment has remained in Kabul to provide air support to those coalition troops supporting the Afghan government and Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in non-combat roles.

Crews from RAF Odiham were also involved with the service and fly-past at St Paul’s Cathedral which was attended by The Queen and Prince Philip.

In Spring, the crews will be replaced by three Puma helicopters from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, bringing an end to RAF Odiham’s involvement in the 14-year campaign.

The service was a chance to reflect on the contribution made by the Armed Forces who served to make Afghanistan a safer, more stable place.

Warrant Officer Anthony Barker from 1827 Engineering Squadron at RAF Odiham was part of the first Chinook deployment to Kabul in 2002.

He has since completed five tours with 1310 Flight before returning to the Afghanistan capital in 2015 as part of the final Chinook detachment in the country.

He said: “During the most intense fighting periods in Helmand province the Medical Emergency Response Team Chinooks were heavily used for casualty evacuation and the aircraft would regularly return having sustained significant damage.

“We all worked extremely hard to keep the aircraft flying round the clock to support the troops on the ground.

“For me today is an opportunity to remember both British and coalition troops that have given their lives to make Afghanistan a better place for the Afghan people.”

Among the personnel honoured for their bravery in Afghanistan was Sergeant Anna Irwin, from 18 Squadron, who used a machine gun to hold off Taliban fighters during the rescue of eight British soldiers.

The base’s low point in Afghanistan came in April last year, when four RAF Odiham-based personnel died when a Lynx helicopter crashed in Kandahar province.

The current operation has been dubbed Kabul Cabs, as it involves providing up to 10 hours a day flying diplomats, UK and coalition and freight around the capital.