Dad, Sons Meet To Celebrate Late Father's Day

Father's Day will come late for one gunner serving in Iraq this summer. But Flight Sergeant (FS) Sid Owens will be able to celebrate both Father's Day and his 50th birthday in style, thanks to a specially arranged family reunion in Baghdad next week.

FS Owens has not seen his family since deploying in February. His two sons, also members of the RAF Regiment, followed him to Iraq in May, but are yet to see their father as they are based in Basrah.

It is highly unusual for three members of one family to be working in the same theatre, and they will now get the chance to celebrate both important events on 24 June. Thanks to a planned video link up, FS Owens also hopes to celebrate with his partner, Debbie, and two-year-old daughter Olivia back in Britain.

FS Owens, who is a Senior Watchkeeper with the NATO Training Mission in Baghdad, said he was delighted to see his family:

"I am almost overwhelmed by all this attention. The last time I saw my boys was in February before I left to come here. I'm really proud of both of them, what they've achieved in the Regiment and the work they're doing in Basrah.

"The RAF Regiment has been like a big family to me over the last 32 years and it's just typical that they would arrange something like this - they always look after their own."

His sons, Senior Aircraftmen (SACs) Jonathan (23) and Neil (19) Owens, are also gunners and serve with No 2 Squadron RAF Regiment, providing Force Protection and Ground Defence of Basrah Air Station.

They patrol both the Station and surrounding villages on a daily basis and, despite only arriving in May, have already undertaken numerous projects to improve infrastructure within the local Marsh Arab community. These include raising an area of village so it does not flood during the winter and, most recently, gaining permission to build a primary school in the local community.

FS Owens is not due to leave Iraq until August, and had not expected to see his sons until September, when they finish their tour.

FMI: www.raf.mod.co.uk