Saturday the 14th of June saw the Village of Odiham celebrate the return of personnel from Afghanistan with a parade through Odiham High St.

The perfect sunny day saw the parade made up with the Central Band Royal Air Force, personnel from 7,18,27 sqn’s, JHSU (Joint Helicopter Support Unit) and cadets from 2407, 2412 and 457 sqn’s.

The Hants & IOW cadets lined the High St both sides at exactly 25 paces apart, whilst awaiting the parade to be kicked off at 10.58 with a low level pass by an RAF Chinook.

Amongst the parade vehicles was an Army Spartan (CVRT) driven by former Air Cadet Sgt Terry Mott of the REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers), rather fitting that he should be leading the contingent of cadets and staff all under the watchful eye of WO McCarthy (2412Sqn).

As the parade moved through the High Street, the cadets “peeled” into place to form a large squad and joining them were some 12 cadets from Vyne School CCF, further up the High Street the salute to the Station Commander Group Captain Andy Turner made for the perfect parade.

Gp Capt Turner and his wife Catherine said how pleased and proud they were to see the Cadets there and highlighted the importance of the organisation and its continued support for RAF Odiham. Gp Capt Turner also went on to say that the Staff of the ATC do a fantastic job, but also paid tribute to the partners of those involved saying that although their support often goes unmentioned it is nonetheless highly appreciated and a credit to the Corps.