Staff Sergeant Iain Ross of the Army Air Corps last week (June 25^th 2009) visited Number 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister, as a guest of Ipswich MP Chris Mole.

Ross, who joined the Royal Green Jackets in 1983 serving for 9 years before commencing his pilot training with the Army Air Corps in 1992, has served in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and most recently Afghanistan, where he piloted an Apache attack helicopter.

Born and raised in Ipswich, Ross is the son of long-serving Borough Councillors Peter and Annie Ross.

The Prime Minister spoke to Iain about his experience in Afghanistan and was interested to hear that Iain’s brother, serving Councillor Alasdair Ross, is currently serving in Afghanistan. He wished both Iain and Alasdair well for the future.

Iain Ross said:

“I felt extremely privileged and honoured to have been asked by Chris to accompany him to Downing Street. The chance to meet the Prime Minister and hear his heart felt gratitude towards the veterans and serving soldiers alike was one I could not pass up. I know that my late parents would have approved!”

Chris Mole MP said:

“I was enormously proud to visit 10 Downing Street with Iain as my guest. I think everybody knows the important and difficult work that members of the armed forces do on our behalf and it is essential that we stop and recognise this at every possible opportunity.

“Throughout his tours of duty in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Afghanistan, Iain has done both his country and Ipswich proud.”

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said:

“I want to thank all of the veterans and current members of the armed forces for all they do for our country.

“It is particularly important to pay tribute to our armed forces in the week ahead of armed forces day this coming Saturday.”