OVER 10,000 people descended on Caerphilly on Saturday to show their support for Armed Forces Day.

The parade was followed by a special Drum Head Service, which was held against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle. The service provided an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and featured contributions from the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones AM and the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns MP.

The crowds were treated to miltary displays from teams including the Royal Logistic Corps Silver Stars Parachute Display Team and music was provided by South Wales Air Cadets from the Air Training Corps No 1 Welsh Wing Band and a band of the Royal Marines.

Owain Glyndwr playing field was taken over by military stalls and marquees as well as a music stage and events arena which included semaphore displays, cadet gun run displays, drill displays.

Phil Hubbard, Chair of the South Wales Armed Forces Day Committee said, “"We’re really proud to have been able to hold Armed Forces Day South Wales in Caerphilly for the first time this year. It has become an important annual event in South Wales which has grown both in armed forces', veterans' and their families' involvement and the support and attendance of the general public, which was fantastic in Caerphilly. I would like to thank everyone who has helped made it possible, especially Caerphilly County Borough Council and all of our sponsors. The spectacular displays and activities made the day a fantastic family day out”.

Part-time Welsh RAF reservists from Number 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron were joined by full-time colleagues to bring a large air force presence to the event.

Data Centre technician Lucy Bowen, 26, also serves as a Cyberspace Communications Specialist with Number 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron said she very much enjoyed marching alongside her full-time colleagues.

“It was great to mix with the public and tell them about all the opportunities and experiences I've had," she said.

This year’s event marked some key events in the Armed Forces community, including; the centenary of the Battle of Mametz Wood, the 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets which comprises both the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF).

Events like Armed Forces Day allow RAF, Army and Royal Navy personnel to meet the public and explain how they defend the UK.

Air Commodore Dai Williams, the Air Officer for Wales, told of how valuable events like this were.

"It's fantastic that we're able to come out into Welsh communities like Caerphilly," he said. "It shows the public what we're about, the highly professional people who serve and the battle-winning equipment we use, but also it allows us to honour the families of our personnel too.