‘Fellow USMC and UK military colleagues; I hope that most of you will recall Flying Officer Tom Hendrie (Task Force JAGUAR) Intelligence Officer who worked alongside us all in Bastion and Leatherneck as part of the 3 MAW and TF JAGUAR integration into one fighting unit during the fighting season of 2010 in Afghanistan as part of Regional Command, South West under the leadership of Brigadier General O’Donnell.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that young Tom has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is therefore fighting to make the most of his remaining time with his wife and young son, George aged 2. Lt Col Phil Cook AAC (my XO at Leatherneck) and I thought it would be fitting if we raised some money (c£1,000) in order to purchase a RAF sword that could be engraved with the RAF, TF JAGUAR, USMC and 3 MAW badges with his name, so that at some time in the future his wife could present this to Tom’s so. In doing so she could explain to her son his role in the Afghan war and the service he gave to both our countries providing vital intelligence that kept crews and troops alive in the air and on the battlefield.

I would be most grateful if you could share this e-mail and link with as many of your colleagues who served with Tom in 2010 and remember him. I think the words from SgtMaj Spadaro scribed in 2010 says everything.’

‘it was a war that brought us together that created a bond of brotherhood, forged in flight, which will remain indissoluble forever’

Thank you for your consideration. Air Cdre Nick Laird & Lt Col Phil Cook