TWO school friends are flying NATO attack missions over Libya.

Flight Lieutenant Chris Pearson from Upton in Poole and Flying Officer Mark Tolman from Wimborne are both RAF Tornado navigators.

They became friends at Poole Grammar School.

They have been taking part in attacks on forces loyal to embattled dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

“I have personally witnessed regime troops firing high explosive rockets into busy city centres, where people are already suffering with a lack of food, power, water and medical aid,” said Mark.

“We put a stop to such attacks as quickly and efficiently as we possibly can, and using modern weapons such as Brimstone we can do this with an absolute minimum of collateral damage.”

Both men serve with Number II Army Co-operation Squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk and are currently flying almost daily missions out of Gioia Del Colle in Italy.

Chris said: “Our role is vitally important in order to protect the safety of Libyan civilians. We must ensure we fulfil a number of checks before engagement in order to avoid civilian casualties.”

The men have been friends from a young age and both still live locally.

Chris added: “Mark is both a colleague and my best friend of 13 years.

“We went to the same school and have both ended up with the same careers on the same squadron.”

Mark has previously served in Afghanistan, supporting personnel on the ground.