Royal farewell for RAF squadron

The Queen is Honorary Air Commodore to RAF Marham

The Queen said farewell to one of five squadrons at RAF Marham in Norfolk, which is due to be disbanded.

The station's 39 Squadron, alongside three remaining Canberra aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force, are expected to be disbanded in July.

The Queen was appointed Honorary Air Commodore to RAF Marham in June 1977 and has visited the base once every two years since her appointment.

On Tuesday, she was greeted by a fly past of four GR4 Tornados.

She was then invited to inspect the Guard of Honour and taken on a tour of a hangar where she met service personnel and viewed military equipment.

After lunch the Queen visited the Sandringham Centre, a recently refurbished community facility.

The Queen was greeted by a fly past of four GR4 Tornados

Group Captain Greg Bagwell said everyone at the station was excited about the Queen's visit.

He said this year's visit was particularly poignant for the Queen because it would be the last time she saw the station's 39 Squadron and its Canberra aircraft.

"She has commented several times as she has gone round about how sad it is to see the aircraft and squadron disbanding," said Group Captain Bagwell.

The Canberras, which have been in service in the RAF for 55 years, are being decommissioned because of advances in technology and the aircraft's age.

Group Captain Bagwell said when the squadron disbands some personnel would retire and others would be absorbed into other station jobs.