HART Male Voice Choir has received a gift from RAF Odiham to say "thank you" for performing at the base last Christmas.

Flight Lieutenant Matthew Holloway and Sergeant Dean Tabreham set the tone with a tour of the famous airbase. The choristers got the chance to climb up the ramp and into the giant hold of a Chinook helicopter in the main hanger.

And the airmen made a concerted effort to explain the mission of the Chinooks Squadron later in the main aircrew briefing room.

The last time the Hart singers were on base was in December, when they sang at the Christmas party.

The choir’s chairman, Eamonn O’Rourke, thanked the lieutenant and sergeant for returning the favour, and for a ‘fascinating and informative visit’.

Flt Lt Holloway said the mission of 27 Squadron is to ‘deliver and sustain Chinook aviation operations world-wide, in order to support UK defence missions and tasks’.

To illustrate role they play, he showed visuals illustrating how crews from Odiham provide front–line support, working within the Joint Helicopter Command.

The station is primarily responsible for providing rapid mobility worldwide for the navy, the army and other sections of the RAF.

As well as operating three Chinook squadrons, RAF Odiham also runs an Army Air Corps (0) Lynx squadron.

In Afghanistan the most valuable contribution was by the immediate response team aircraft and the medical emergency response team. The crews saved hundreds of lives – often under fire – to get the trauma team to the front line, and return patients to safety within the first, so-called ‘golden hour’ after they are wounded.

Hart Male Voice Choir rehearses every week at the historic Cross Barn.