IRAQ AFTER THE WAR: In 1991, Tornado pilot Ray Lock was involved in bombing raids on Iraq during the first Gulf War. Today he is back in the country helping to rebuild Basra airport after the latest conflict. His remarkable story is featured today in the first of a series of special reports.

A senior RAF officer who bombed Iraq in the first Gulf War is taking a leading role in the rebuilding of the country following the toppling of Saddam Hus-sein's regime.

In 1991 Group Captain Ray Lock was a squadron leader and Tornado pilot sent in to bomb Iraq.

Among the targets he destroyed were a bridge and oil refinery at Basra in the south of the country.

Now fate, and Ministry of Defence planners, have combined to give the 44-year-old Group Captain the responsibility of getting Basra International Airport operating again.

It means that while he continues his permanent job as Station Commander at RAF Lyneham he has also been appointed RAF Station Commander at Basra.

He said: "My mission over here is to get the airfield up and running again and hand it back as a going concern to the people of Iraq.

"It is an exciting challenge and I am confident that this aim will be achieved."

Of the 150 RAF personnel under his command at the moment several of them have also been deployed from Lyneham.

And Group Captain Lock was full of praise for what they have already achieved.

He said: "When we moved in here a month ago the place was in a real mess, but the guys are working 18 hours a day.

"It is hot, hard work but everyone has risen to the challenge magnificently. They have performed well above their expected capabilities.

"I am particularly pleased to be here because in the first Gulf War I was a Tornado pilot destroying targets including an oil refinery in the centre of Basra.

"Now I am helping to rebuild the region to create a better life for the Iraqi people and that is one of the reasons why I am so pleased to be doing this job. We are making the airfield available for use by military aircraft, and civilian aircraft as soon as the situation allows."

Two Hercules from Lyneham are now deployed permanently at the airport, and already the first civilian aircraft loaded with 50 tons of mostly medical aid has called in at Basra.

Group Captain Lock said the arrival of Richard Branson's Virgin 747 jumbo jet had sent out a message to the world that Basra was open for business.

But he knows there is still a long way to go before the airport takes on the role for which it was built as a major international airport.

The fact that it is capable of handling aircraft just a month after the war ended is a tribute to the hard work of the RAF personnel.

Under Group Captain Lock's leadership the base is gradually being brought back to life.

He has brought in specialist RAF fighters and is replacing and improving air traffic control facilities, introducing new navigational aids and plans to upgrade the radar system.

A special Command and Control team has also been set up to oversee everything.

But although the relaunch project is on course the political will and, just as importantly, the money has to be found to back it.Without it the project will almost certainly fail. But things are starting to look up.

Group Captain Lock is optimistic that the American-backed organisation which was set up to sort out the future of Iraq will help.

The Office for the Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq is understood to be in favour of spending a lot of money in the Basra area.

If it does it will be good news for the airport and the people of Iraq.

Group Captain Lock said: "I am optimistic that the money will be found to revitalise this part of the country, which is very good news indeed."

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