“Growing up I always wanted to be a Policewoman and after a childhood visit to the Leuchars Airshow I wanted to join the Royal Air Force as well,” say’s Corporal Clare Stoddart, 27, from Aberdeen. “Luckily I have been able to combine the two!”

While detached from my parent unit, Royal Air Force Honnignton to 901 Expeditionary Air Wing in the Middle East, my main role is to carry out Air Transport Security (ATSy) duties on incoming and outgoing aircraft flights. The aim of ATSy is to prevent the carriage of Dangerous Air Cargo onboard our Aircraft. To achieve this we have a range of equipment that allows the timely scanning of baggage and passengers.

901 Expeditionary Air Wing is a busy air base in the Middle East and is used to facilitate flights, in and out of theatre, for Operation TELIC, with an average of 1500 personnel travelling through the terminal each week. We form a part of a larger team consisting of Movements staff and Suppliers who all work together to make the transit of passengers as smooth as possible.

“My favourite part of the job would have to be interacting with people and providing a Service for them”.

We also assist in the day to day running of our very busy Royal Air Force Police office. There is a wide variety of work ranging from the completion of routine administration to assisting the specialist staff with recording statements, the management of security furniture and initial investigations into criminal activity.

We routinely work alongside Coalition security forces assisting at the Vehicle Search Area, conducting roadside traffic violation checks and patrols of the Unit. This enables us to have a better understanding of how other forces conduct their duties as well as improving the bond between Coalition forces.

Photographer: Sgt Pete Mobbs/RAF

Header Image: Tornado on standby

Image 1: Corporal Clare Stoddart

For more images view this weeks Operational Gallery