IRAQ AFTER THE WAR: RAF movements specialists from Lyneham are used to setting up facilities for handling passengers and freight throughout the world many of them in remote places.

So it was a bit of a change for the boys from the UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron (MAMS) when they were tasked to do this in what could potentially be one of the top international airports. The only snag is that this airport with its marbled floors, wall tiles and spacious halls is set in the middle of a war zone in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Evening Advertiser reporter Martin Vincent visited, and tells how it is being prepared for the future, in his final report from Basra.

The custom-built international airport at Basra was built for Saddam Hussein by a German company who produced a showpiece building and facilities.

However it never really got going because the United Nations sanctions imposed on Iraq after the first Gulf War meant that major world airlines could not fly there.

But now the latest conflict is over, a decision has been made to relaunch Basra International Airport and hand it back to the people of Iraq as a going concern.

Several RAF personnel from Lyneham are involved in this project including the team from UK MAMS.

Team leader Flt Lt Gary Sadler said: "Our purpose is to provide handling capabilities for passengers and freight across this theatre of operations and we have detachments in Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman as well as Iraq.

"Apart from military requirements we are also trained to handle civilian aircraft of all types just like the Virgin 747 that recently flew into Basra carrying aid for the people of Iraq.

"At the moment the main aircraft at Basra are the Hercules from Lyneham, and the airport has all the necessary handling equipment. In fact it has everything that will enable us to handle civilian aircraft as well, which is our aim.

"We want to bring the place back to its former high standard, and as soon as these other aircraft are given clearance to come in we will be ready for them."

Flt Lt Sadler, 29, is impressed with the airport buildings which were not bombed when Coalition forces invaded Iraq.

"It is a very spacious well built place and from what I can see surprisingly the Iraqis were very tight on security with two check-in inspection points for passengers and another for the luggage they brought with them."

Flt Lt Sadler said several Iraqi engineers were working with the RAF men helping to relaunch the airport.

"The atmosphere has been very positive," he said.

"The local engineers have worked very well. They understand we are only here to get this place back on its feet to bring in more aid and civilian aircraft for the benefit of the country.

"Several of them worked here in the Saddam days, and after initially being a little wary, are now coming forward with ways and means of fixing pieces of equipment. It is all very positive.

"They are a very proud people and we would not want to be seen crowing over them so most of our conversations are on a professional level."

Coalition warplanes only targeted one site on the airport a radar station which was completed destroyed after being hit by two precision aimed 2,000lb bombs.

Despite the lack of structural damage most of the electronic and computer equipment throughout the airport, along with fixtures and fittings, were taken by fleeing Iraqi soldiers and looters.

This initially delayed the work to reconstruct the place back into an operational international airport.