Personnel from RAF Marham yesterday exercised their Freedom of the Borough in a parade through King's Lynn.Crowds lined the street and watched from nearby buildings and windows as troops marched on to the Tuesday Market Place from Common Staithe Quay.
Personnel from RAF Marham yesterday exercised their Freedom of the Borough in a parade through King's Lynn.
Crowds lined the street and watched from nearby buildings and windows as troops marched on to the Tuesday Market Place from Common Staithe Quay.
The event was marked with a low-level flypast by three Tornado planes from the base.
The proceedings had begun with a parade of some 80 personnel from RAF Marham's four squadrons.
They were followed by the arrival of a civic procession, led by the mayor's staffbearer, swordbearer and macebearers.
An inspection of the parade was carried out by the mayor of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, David Johnson.
In an address to RAF Marham and the watching crowds, Mr Johnson spoke of west Norfolk's proud association with RAF Marham, where there are 3,200 personnel and 500 civilian staff.
RAF Marham is one of the largest and busiest airbases in the country and men and women from there have been deployed to theatres of war and on tours throughout the year to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands.
Mr Johnson also praised the personnel for once again producing an excellent parade.
He added: “I will remember this day for the rest of my life and I pay tribute to all of you at Marham.”
Mr Johnson acknowledged RAF Marham's commitment to serving in countries across the world and the dangers faced in this role.
He also welcomed the new new station commander, Group Capt Colin Basnett, who took up the post last month.
Group Capt Basnett spoke of the commitment of the men and women on the base who had been involved in vital operations in the world such as Iraq and Afghanistan. And to those deployed now and in the future he wished a safe and speedy return home.
He added the military and civilian personnel “represent all that is the best about the RAF and its partners.”
The parade included music by the Band of the RAF College, Cranwell.
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