A RUBERY airman led a successful operation in Iraq which saw the capture of two high-profile suspected insurgents.

Flying Officer Liam Mitchell, the Flight Commander of 'C' Flight of the RAF's No 3 Squadron, led a number of other troops to carry out the mission, in which weapons, ammunition and important intelligence material were also seized.

The British troops secured the suspect's home and surrounding area in the early hours of the morning, while specialist search troops carried out the operation.

The 25-year-old former Waseley Hills High School pupil and the rest of the squadron are currently assigned with the task of protecting personnel and aircraft which are based at Basra Air Station (BAS) as British forces attempt to get the country back on its feet.

The troops are responsible for patrolling and guarding the base's perimeter to deter insurgents from launching attacks on the aircraft and servicemen and women at the base. Since joining the RAF in 2000, Liam has undertaken four operational jobs, serving twice in Iraq, as well as stints in Kuwait and Jordan. He praised the way fellow troops carried out the arrest operation, but admitted there was still a big job to do in maintaining security at the camp.

"We do a lot of training before deployment and my RAF Regiment Gunners did exactly what they were required to do," he said.

"We will not rest there though and for the remainder of our tour here we will continue to maintain the security of the airfield and the camp."

Liam said that fatigue was becoming the biggest problem among troops.

"The guys are on patrol a long time, maybe 16 hours a day and with the tiredness and fatigue and the elements, it can be very testing," he said.

"All the time they are aware of the terrorist threat and it is very wearing, but the guys are highly motivated and on top form."

He added that despite much hostility towards the British forces, Iraqis in more rural areas were more welcoming to them.