Heat is on for a former Tivvy pupil in the RAF

A YOUNG Tiverton man has been deployed to the deserts of the Middle East to serve with the Royal Air Force police.

Former Tiverton High School pupil Chris Gorton is currently enduring soaring summer temperatures with the 902 Expeditionary Air Wing.

The 21-year-old corporal, who is normally based in the Police Flight at RAF Lyneham, is on his first tour after being out of training for more than a year.

Nevertheless, the police officer is confident his experiences at the Wiltshire base will stand in him in good stead for the foreign environment he has been thrown in to.

Now just a week into his detachment Chris has been impressed by the team spirit shown by his comrades in the tight-knit community he is now part of.

He also recognises that the conditions he is currently living in are far better than those of some of the other detachments in the area, or those serving elsewhere. "We are very lucky in that respect and it is such a small community," he said. Chris also commented on Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27, which he was fortunate enough to celebrate with his own detachment.

He said: "Even though it was still a normal day we made it fun."

It seems as though Chris, also a former student of Richard Huish College, Taunton, was destined to join the forces as four of his uncles have served with the RAF.

But he hopes to continue learning when he returns to the UK by signing up for a law course with the Open University.

When deployed, Chris' main task is making sure other service personnel on his detachment remain safe. He carries out patrols and security checks and is available to investigate any crimes. He is also responsible for screening passengers and their luggage before they travel on RAF transport aircraft.

Chris is still finding life in the desert a bit different and admitted he struggled with the heat for the first few days. He said: "It is a bit of a culture shock and acclimatising is quite difficult."

But he is realistic about his prospects for future detachments and considers it part of the job.

Chris said: "I always knew I was going to be in the RAF and I hope this will prepare me for further tours. I don't think anybody would look forward to leaving friends and family for four months but, when you sign up for the military, you know what to expect."

Support for servicemen overseas was demonstrated in Tiverton and crowds of people cheered as former soldiers marched through the town to mark the first national Armed Forces Day.