FOUR Chinook helicopters flew out of RAF Odiham on Sunday to support the evacuation of British nationals from the West African state of Sierra Leone.

According to Sqn Ldr Ed Gilday, the four craft, their crews and support parties joined British troops in Dakar, Senegal, over the weekend as part of the UK's rapid reaction force. They are expected to provide engineering and logistics support for the operation.

A full version of this story will be found in the Alton Herald of May 12, 2000