| On Saturday 13th June 2009, the town of Odiham in Hampshire turned out to line the streets to say thank you to the officers and men of the RAF base which has been a large part of the town since before WWII.
Currently the home of the RAF's fleet of Chinook helicopters, the High Street was lined with thousands of well wishers as, led by the band of the Royal Signals from nearby Sandhurst, the men and women representing the base paraded to rousing cheers and waving flags. They were accompanied by cadets of the local Air Training Corps and were overflown by one of the mighty Chinooks in close formation with a Lynx of 657 Sqn Army Air Corps which is also based at the airfield. Following the parade a ceremony was held in The Bury where speeches were given by the Chairman of the Parish Council and James Arbuthnot the local MP who is also Chairman of the Commons Defence Selct Committee and who campaigned so strongly and successfully to keep the base open. This decision was roundly welcomed by all in the town who value community spirit shown by the RAF towards them. Presentations were made by the town to the Executive Officers of the base who were coming to the end of their tours at Odiham. There to thank the town was Grp Capt Turner, OC RAF Odiham. Right on time to bring the event to a close, the helicopters carried out a final flypast at low level over the heads of those gathered in this historic square. |