Serving overseas is all part of the job for the men and women of the Royal Air Force, many of whom will be celebrating Christmas in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Among them is Warrant Officer Peter Thomas from Stanford-in-the-Vale, Oxfordshire. Normally based at Headquarters Strike Command, High Wycombe, Peter is currently detached to Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan in support of a Harrier GR7 detachment from No 3 (Fighter) Squadron, RAF Cottesmore. There are currently over 900 British service men and women serving in Afghanistan providing UK support for the continual development of political security and economic reform of the country. Peter, a former pupil of Greenhill Comprehensive School, Tenby, joined the RAF in 1976 as a weapon's technician. In Kandahar, he is the detachment armament officer, responsible for all armament safety procedures, licensing, weapon preparation and loading. Having served all over the world, Peter has been awarded the Air Operations Iraq and former Yugoslavia medals. In addition, he received a joint Commanders Commendation for his work in Kosovo. In his spare time, Peter enjoys woodwork, golf and all sports. Peter won't be returning home to his wife, Paula and daughters Keri, 21, and Leanne, 19, until December 28. His message home is "Wishing all my family and friends and all old school mates a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year."
