Wing Cdr Jim Mulholland, commanding officer of 31 Sqn, receiving his medal from Air Vice Marshal Atha.

Air and ground crews from Marham-based 31 Squadron have received their campaign medals for the part they played in operations in Afghanistan.

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The crack Tornado squadron flew armed reconnaissance patrols over war-torn Afghanistan, protecting British and Allied troops.

Aerial imaging equipment on board the aircraft can detect the presence of deadly IEDs, while the jets can also engage militants with an array of weapons.

members of 31 Sqn - known as the Goldstars - returned to Marham in NOvember.

Some 64 medals were presented in a ceremony at the Norfolk base, by Air Vice Marshal Stuart Atha, Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group.

Wing Commander Jim Mulholland, commanding officer of 31 Sqn, stated:

“This is an immensely proud day for both me personally and for the whole team. The Squadron have worked tirelessly over the last few months on Ops in the most demanding of conditions and concurrently have achieved amazing goals with our charity event.”

Operation Herrick, as the deployment was known, also saw them raise a huge sum of money for charity, the largest by any single unit in theatre.

before leaving Norfolk, 31 Sqn set out to raise £31,000 by cycling, rowing and biking 31,000 miles.

They exceeded both totals and eventually ended up raising £44,000. This money will go to a number of National charities as well as three local organisations supporting Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy Action and Lowes.