AN American bomber pilot has written to the Advertiser to share his feelings during the Iraq War. Captain Matthew Calhoun, a B-52 bomber Aircraft Commander was sent RAF Fairford in March last year to provide air support to the ground forces attacking Iraqi troop positions

Captain Matthew Calhoun took part in six 13-hour missions over Iraq.

He had only returned from operations over Afghanistan six months before when he found himself being sent to RAF Fairford to prepare for the war on Iraq- known as Operation Iraqi Freedom to the Americans.

Captain Calhoun, based at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, was part of the 457th Air Expeditionary Group.

He was flying the lumbering B-52 bomber last year when coalition troops launched bombing missions.

Here are his memories and reflections on the events of last year.

ONE year ago this month I found myself leaving my significant other for the second time in six months.

The first time was for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan where we provided airborne protection over a relatively low threat country.

This time things were a little different.

Maybe that was because she was now my fiance or maybe it was because I knew things would be much more hazardous.

At any rate, this was my job, my way of life to serve my country and protect its interests sacrifices have to be made.

I flew six 13-hour missions out of RAF Fairford to Iraq and back, protecting our ground forces with bombs when they needed them.

Despite political opinions and media popularity polls surrounding the conflict, I remained confident in my role.

Those days and nights amidst the gunfire and occasional missile indications we saw, it hit me like it does every young airman I am in a hostile environment and it is either me or them.

You don't think much about why you are there. You do what you are trained to do, which amounts to protecting your life or the life of someone on the ground you may have grown up next to back home.

As the first bombs fell off my jet and I anxiously awaited the response from the ground troops on the radio, I realised what sacrifice meant doing your part for the greater good, whether that is leaving your fiance or making the ultimate sacrifice.

We landed back in the UK safe and sound every time and I would go to my room, turn on the TV and watch what most of the world watched 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

My perspective was slightly different to the average viewer.

Yes, I saw the destruction of war and yes I saw the protests from opposition.

But what was important to me was the footage of coalition ground troops declaring victory in the different parts of Iraq,

They were the troops who I had flown over rather less than 12 hours ago.

Knowing that many of them were alive because of me and the rest of the 457th Air Expeditionary Group was my victory. It was all certainly worth my sacrifice.