CHOCS AWAY IN DESERT! RAF Kristian's thank-you for sweet treats - and copies of Examiner.Byline: KATIE GRANT CHILDREN did something sweet for troops out in Afghanistan. The Shelf Junior and Infant School infant school n. Chiefly British A kindergarten. infant school Noun (in England and Wales) a school for children aged between 5 and 7 Noun 1. pupils sent 26 boxes of chocolates to an RAF squadron in Kandahar. Kristian Knight, Officer commanding Sea Flight, of Salendine Nook, went to the school this week to say thank you. At Easter, Kristian, 21, and the rest of 63 Squadron RAF Regiment got back from a five day patrol to find the goodies waiting for them. The children and teacher Rachel Kemp had made sure the treats would arrive just in time for Easter. Kristian said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to all the children. "It's good to know that everyone is thinking about the troops out in Afghanistan and supporting us. "I didn't know the packages were coming at all. A letter arrived four days later explaining what the chocolates were for. "The parcels were packed with all sorts of different types of chocolates and the children had made personalised cards and a big banner saying Happy Easter." Kristian and the rest of the gang hung the banner in their living quarters and tucked into the chocolates. The squadron have also been known to sit back and relax with a copy of Kristian's favourite local newspaper - the Examiner. Kristian's mum Maureen sends her son a few copies to keep him informed of what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. back home. Kristian said: "We were out in the desert having some down-time and we had a flick through the papers." The 21-year-old and the rest of the RAF squadron prevent attacks on British aircraft coming into the Kandahar air base. They also patrol in the local villages meeting the locals and keeping an eye out for insurgent INSURGENT. One who is concerned in an insurrection. He differs from a rebel in this, that rebel is always understood in a bad sense, or one who unjustly opposes the constituted authorities; insurgent may be one who justly opposes the tyranny of constituted authorities. activity. The group is also known as The Queen's Colour Squadron The Queen's Colour Squadron is a unit of the RAF Regiment. It is a dual operational/ceremonial unit; in its operational role, it is a field squadron responsible for the defence of RAF and other assets on the ground from enemy forces. and is responsible for representing the Royal Air Force at most ceremonial occasions. Kristian has been in Afghanistan for four months. He is currently on leave, but has another six weeks to complete out in the desert. The former Greenhead College pupil said: "It's very hard work and is quite arduous. "It's particularly hard now because of the weather. "We don't usually patrol during the day because the temperature can reach 50 degrees Centigrade centigrade /cen·ti·grade/ (sen´ti-grad) having 100 gradations (steps or degrees); see under scale. cen·ti·grade adj. Celsius. . "So we patrol at night because it's cooler. We're looking for any Taliban activity." Kristian has three brothers and has been in the Air Force for two years.. CAPTION(S): READ ALL ABOUT IT: RAF Officer Kristian Knight and his comrades read the Examiner ( s) |
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