Bittersweet return home for a depleted squadron

PRIDE mingled with sorrow yesterday as RAF personnel who lost a comrade on the front-line of Afghanistan took part in their home-coming parade.

Residents were out in force to welcome back 2 Force Protection Wing, RAF Regiment, including 34 Sqn RAF Regiment, as they marched through Bedale.

Their joyful reunion with loved ones followed a seven-month stint in Afghanistan, and marked the end of difficult tour for the squadron, which lost Acting Corporal Marcin Wojtak to a bomb blast.

The parade along South End and Market Place accompanied by the Band of the RAF Regiment concluded with a medal presentation outside Bedale Hall.

Leicester-born Corporal Wojtak, 24, was killed in an explosion in October while patrolling close to Camp Bastion, the UK’s main base in southern Afghanistan.

He served in the Royal Air Force in 2005 as a gunner, including tours of the Falkland Islands and Kandahar, until 2008 when he was posted to 34 Sqn Royal Air Force Regiment as a Rifleman.

He deployed to Kabul in August 2008 for six weeks to perform Force Protection duties.

Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Shaun Ryles MBE, said: “Losing a comrade to enemy action is a devastating blow to the Force Protection Wing, especially as it has occurred in the early stages of this Flight’s deployment to Helmand.

“Acting Corporal Wojtak was a man of great strengths; both as a formidable Gunner and as a person who displayed outstanding leadership potential. He was widely respected by all that had the honour to serve with him.

“He will leave a void that will never be replaced in our hearts and his memory will be enduring."