Islanders join Armed Forces celebrations

A NAVY helicopter touched down in Guernsey yesterday as hundreds of islanders joined servicemen to celebrate Armed Forces Week.

Crowds gathered to welcome the arrival of the 820 Naval Air Squadron's Merlin helicopter at North Beach car park for the start of the special week for the forces.

Its passengers gathered for a flag-raising ceremony at the Weighbridge, including the serving guest of honour, Major Kaaren Roche of the Royal Logistics Corp.

As families queued up to look inside the Merlin later in the afternoon, Flight Lieutenant Rich Knight thanked the island for its support.

'It is nice to see people are behind the armed forces,' he said. 'We train hard and work hard. It is just important for morale. For those in places like Afghanistan, to come home to support is brilliant for them.'