No 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, from RAF Aldergrove, recently put the finishing touches to the meeting house and mosque having made the initial approach to the tribe, sourced the finance and tendered for engineers.

Costing £33,500 ($64,000), and financed through the Commanders' Emergency Requirement Programme, the building gives the community a central prayer house and meeting place which is particularly valuable with the wet season imminent.

As well as hosting tribal meetings and acting as a venue for the education of village children, for the first time the local Imam will have a central place of worship capable of serving the needs of a 10,000-strong community.

No 3 Sqn RAF Regt is part of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing (903 EAW), which is responsible for all fixed wing air operations and force protection at Basrah Air Station (now part of the Contingency Operating Base, Basrah).

The Squadron has had a productive time in Basra. As well as fulfilling their primary Force Protection role, they have taken a leading role in the delivery of local community projects, including irrigation systems and recreation facilities. Such projects have helped promote consent and support for British Forces among the local population, and have proved very successful.

The meeting house project was opened by Group Captain Tom Cross, Commander 903 EAW. Gp Capt Cross emphasised the value of 3 Sqn's work:

"Projects like this are a crucial part of the process of winning hearts and minds in the area around Basrah Air Station, and as such are a key part of our force protection effort."

Flight Lieutenant Guy Wood, 43, who was responsible for overseeing the project, also praised this type of work;

"This has been a rewarding experience for me – and for the Iraqis. It hopefully wins us some additional support among the local population, and so reduces the ability of insurgents to operate in our area of responsibility."

No 3 Sqn return to the UK in November, to be relieved by the Queen's Colour Squadron.