Show of Force Swindon Advertiser 14th October 2005 www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk EARLY on Thursday morning, a row of shiny private jets lined up on the runway was the only sign that something special was about to happen at RAF Lyneham. But a few hours later the airbase exploded into action, in what the station commander branded the highlight of his career. Amid tight security and following months of preparation, defence ministers from across the EU were at Lyneham for an informal meeting. They were treated to an awesome 40-minute display of the UK's military might before getting down to business. Group Captain Paul Oborn said: "It's the biggest thing I've ever been involved in and one of the biggest events ever held at Lyneham. "We've had Her Majesty the Queen here and other royal visits that were grand affairs but this was a meeting of international importance with decisions being made that could effect the whole world. "It's one of the proudest days of my life."

The prestigious meeting was originally planned for RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, but Lyneham took the helm when the runway at Brize closed for maintenance work. "We've proven over the last year or so that we can hold events of national importance here, from repatriation to royal visits," said Grp Capt Oborn. Britain's defence secretary John Reid drove to the base early on Thursday morning after spending the night in the Blunsdon House Hotel in Swindon.

As his counterparts flew in from across Europe, international journalists gathered to record the historic event. Greeting the foreigners, the welcome sign at RAF Lyneham flashed in different languages and personnel dabbled in global hellos and goodbyes. The impressive demonstration showed off the military capabilities the UK could deploy in a future EU-led peace support operation such as in Africa.

The VIPs gasped in awe from a specially-erected grandstand as seven parachutists jumped out of a plane high above Lyneham's airfield. From then on the ministers, who were joined by military top brass, didn't know where to look next as the show continued like a scene from a war movie. With amazing accuracy choppers and jets weaved through the skies, dropping imitation bombs and firing round after round of mock bullets. The aircraft ­ including Harrier jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, Lyneham's very own Hercules and the monstrous C17 Globemaster ­ appeared from all directions.

Pilots flaunted their exceptional skills, banking left and right and at times flying within feet of the ground and other aircraft. The thunderous roar of the engines and deafening pyrotechnics were akin to being caught in the middle of a battlefield. Supplies were dropped from aircraft high above while camouflaged soldiers ran from makeshift safehouses to collect them. Villagers had been warned by the base not to worry about the unusual activity and to keep animals indoors. Operations at the base were minimised and family and friends of those involved were told to find vantage points around the perimeter fence to watch the performance.

Grp Capt Oborn said: "It was like a scene from Apocalypse Now ­ it was so dramatic. While we were putting on a show today, what we were demonstrating was real military capability ­ this is what we do. "Everyone pulled together so fantastically. I've never felt so proud of my staff." As for the defence meeting itself, Dr Reid described it as a "fruitful and useful discussion". Items on the agenda included the current mission promoting peace and stability in Bosnia, but spilled over to Darfur in Sudan, Aceh in Indonesia and earthquake-ravaged Pakistan. No official decisions were made.

RAF Lyneham has four C130J aircraft ready to help with the aid effort in Kashmir, although the base has not yet been asked to assist. Dr Reid said: "I am proud to be associated with Lyneham, and never more so than this morning." No official decisions were made on Thursday, but the delegates will cement their discussions at a formal meeting next month.

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