Gulf War Anniversary: Tornado Navigators Complete Cycling Challenge

Two Gulf War navigators have completed a cycling challenge to remember those who lost their lives in the conflict.

On the 30th anniversary of the end of the First Gulf War, former Tornado navigators Mal Craghill and Martin Wintermeyer rode the final miles of their challenge.

Their original idea was to cycle to the grave sites of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives during the war, but their plans had to be altered because of coronavirus travel restrictions.

As he approached the end of his final 43-mile ride, Mal said: "When I think of the guys we've been remembering over the last few weeks and those that I was particularly close to […], I realise now that how I interact with the world today there's a little bit of their hallmarks and I'm carrying each of them with me in the way I conduct myself on a daily basis."

He added: "Each of them is still with me a little bit."

Martin was able to complete his final ride at Washington Cemetery.

In a video message shared on the Tornado Tribute Tour of England Facebook page, he said: "On my ride today I've been really thinking about the families and friends of all our absent friends."

Speaking of his time serving during the First Gulf War, Martin said: "Those people who were waiting for us at home didn't [know what was going on].

"Those people were the bravest and most courageous people of the whole Gulf War."

The war veterans have so far raised nearly £17,500 for the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), well above their £10,000 target.

RAFA supports serving and former members of the British Air Force and their families.

More than 53,000 personnel from across the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force took part in Operation GRANBY.

The operation was in response to the then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invading Kuwait on 2 August 1990.

Op GRANBY was under way by 17 January 1991, following a UN mandate, and it ended on 28 February of the same year.

Cover image: Mal Craghill (left) and Martin Wintermeyer (right) pictured as they completed their respective final rides (Pictures: Tornado Tribute Tour of England/Facebook).