Ballymena airman in Pakistan mercy mission

Flying Officer Marc 'Aaron' Fulton, 24, only joined the Royal Air Force a little over three years ago, but already he is fulfilling a life long ambition to travel and see the world.

Since Aaron joined the RAF he has spent little time in the UK: "I've had a really rewarding career to date, having spent time with 39 Squadron in the USA, 6 months in the Falkland Islands, which was an epic tour, followed by a short period in Cyprus. Finally I've served in Afghanistan and in Dubai supporting the aid mission to Pakistan. I've packed quite a lot in."

Aaron joined the RAF as a Logistics Officer, but following further training become a Movements specialist, or Mover as they are often referred, responsible for loading and transportation of freight on the RAF's Hercules and C-17 transport aircraft.

"I work for an organisation called Air Mobility Wing (AMW), which is based at RAF Lyneham," he explains.

Aaron can be called at a moment's notice to go anywhere in the world to support air operations and the movement of cargo.

"Last week we were placed on standby to move, so were given about 24 hours notice to deploy and support the aid relief effort to Pakistan."

On AMW, Aaron is team leader for 'E' Flight, which is air mobile movements team who build and load aircraft pallets.

Aaron adds: "This job is very busy, you get a lot of hands on work and a broad range of duties. I have responsibility for checking the load once the pallets are built and ensuring the paperwork is in order. The freight is then delivered to wherever it is needed."

This wasn't the team's first aid-mission: "Last week we did a trip to Pakistan on an RAF C-17 Globemaster, but for this latest mission where flying on a Hercules. The previous mission delivered 14 pallets containing 187 tents, rations and medical aid. This time we delivered 4 pallets loaded with 16,750 plastic sheets weighing some 10,000kgs, which will probably be used for emergency shelter."

The C-130J Hercules is a crucial asset in the RAF's inventory and is used to move supplies and people throughout the Gulf and Afghanistan. This particular aircraft was authorised to divert from its normal task to flying the aid mission to Pakistan on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Aaron added, "Because of the nature of the load, when building the pallets we had to make sure the weight of each pallet could be spread evenly over the aircraft's freight bay."

In Pakistan, Aaron had to liase with the authorities before unloading commences.

"When we landed my job involved liasing with the Pakistani ground handlers, some of who didn't speak any English, so it was quite difficult. I needed to find the equipment to unload the aircraft and find out where it was to be stored. I ended up roaming around Islamabad Airport on my own, which was quite an experience, a bit sporting I suppose."

"We unloaded the C-17 with just one forklift, which is something you'd never have to do in the UK, but with the Hercules it was much easier as we were carrying only 4 pallets. Everything went very smoothly."

"It's quite interesting how they move equipment, whereas we would have a couple of pieces of ground-handling equipment, they would have a hundred people. They are all very keen to help, but because of the number are slightly difficult to control."

Aaron's parents, who live in Ballymena, are getting used to their son disappearing off.

" They think what I do is wonderful and used to getting a random text saying 'I know I said I'd be across next weekend, but I'm off to wherever'. They're very supportive."

"When I heard I was coming here it was with mixed feelings. I was pretty chuffed because it was a really good thing to be involved and not the sort of thing we normally do. Unfortunately I missed my girlfriend's birthday, but it's a fantastic chance to be here and help," he smiled.