The teams gear up to carry out their jobs

"Everybody's relatively upbeat about the situation," said Flt Lieutenant John Makinson-Sanders.

"Our personnel joined to take part in operations, and it is our job to defend our country and prosecute our nation's foreign policy.

"We have been preparing for this and undertaking a lot of contingency planning.

"Everybody's geared up for this and set on doing their job."

Elements of four flying units are posted in the Gulf region, with crews from 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadron in place.

RAF Lyneham operates two types of Hercules, with 24 and 30 squadron flying the newer model, and C130J and 47 and 70 using the older C130K.

The base has also posted specialist units in the Gulf, such as the Tactical Medical Wing and the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, experts at bringing out and repatriating the wounded.

About 130 reservists were called up to 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and Flt Lt Makinson-Sanders said they had recently called up more.

He said they were all posted in the Gulf Region, in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, though units were spread across the area rather than concentrated in one place.

Another group, the UK Mobile Air Movement Squadron, has also been deployed to help load up and unload stores from aircraft.

Other personnel, such as administrators, will be deployed in small groups to carry out single jobs.

Flt Lt Makinson-Sanders said the situation was probably harder for families left behind, wondering what was happening in the Gulf Region.

But a wide-ranging network of information and support has been laid on to provide families at home with as much news and advice as possible.

E-mail communication between personnel and their families was turned off as the build-up to war began and Flt Lt Makinson-Sanders said they had received no reports in the last couple of days regarding the new situation out in the desert.

"Watching the television often gives us the most up-to-date news about what's happening," he said.

But despite the loss of e-mail contact personnel can contact their families using the British Forces Post Office, with its familiar blue airmail letters.

"We have a robust support system called The Hive," he said.

"It is a community centre on the camp where families can come in, socialise and talk about any problems.

"We will be giving a briefing on a daily or every other day basis to keep them informed and updated on what's going on.

"When something does happen our personnel will tell everybody to sit in and have a chat, and answer any questions.

"Our personnel in the Gulf are doing a fantastic job and working hard."

Flt Lt Makinson-Sanders said widespread controversy about the need for war had not affected morale.

"They know their partners and families are 100 per cent behind them," he said.

Personnel from the 84 Medical Supply Squadron, from Hullavington, have been training in Kuwait in readiness for a war situation.

The 48 members of the squadron, part of 9 Supply Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, left Britain for Kuwait at the end of February, and now warning and alert systems have gone up a notch as tensions mount in the Gulf region.

Captain David Manners, from Hullavington, said the squadron would be training hard, including trying out biological suits.

He said frustration was probably the biggest problem.

"I expect they are fed up with waiting around," he said.

Despite the increased anticipation of war following the breakdown of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflicts, Captain Manners said the squadron would not see any major changes yet.

"There have been no significant changes in the past few days, except that readiness status has gone up," he said.

"Everything is going well there have been no accidents or injuries during training, but everybody is waiting and gearing up to go."

The squadron is responsible for supplying all medical materials, equipment and pharmaceuticals for all three services and the special forces.

Members obtain and distribute medical supplies, so their task will increase if field hospitals are busy.

About half the squadron leave partners and families behind but a welfare system is up and running to make sure loved ones are supported and kept informed.

Families have access for information and advice if any problems arise and a system is in place to return personnel if a major crisis occurs at home.

Captain Manners said the controversy in Britain about the need for war with Iraq would be the last thing on the minds of personnel posted in Kuwait.

"They get newspapers out there so they will know what's going on," he said. "Of course each person will have their own personal views but it will not affect what they are doing.

"At the moment they are waiting around, which is always difficult when something is in the air."