aircraftman

The same weekend three senior aircraftmen were cut to pieces in a mortar attack at Basra airport.

But then the West Midlands Police Band, led by retired soldier turned Coventry policeman "Barney" Barnes struck up and put renewed spirit into the steps of the old soldiers, sailors and aircraftmen and women.

Flt Sgt Sid Owens celebrated his 50th birthday with his sons, Senior Aircraftmen Jonathan, 23, and 19year-old Neil after they were flown into the Iraqi capital from their base in Basra especially to surprise him.

TEENAGER Gareth Buckley (right) was among 25 young men who graduated as leading aircraftmen gunners in a ceremony at RAF Honington.

Gary Thompson, 51, and Graham Livingstone, 23, Senior Aircraftmen in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, died when a Land Rover hit an anti-tank mine outside the Nato base in Kandahar.