Families Day a Blazing Success
8th August 2009
RAF Lyneham
Scorching sunshine and breathtaking air displays, welcomed the families and friends of RAF Lyneham personnel to the Station Families’ Day on Saturday 8th August 2009.

Many family members and friends of RAF Lyneham personnel attended the annual event which aims to demonstrate the output of the Station and to serve as a thank you to those who support station personnel in their efforts on a daily basis. 

Crowds of families and friends were treated to spectacular air displays by the world famous Red Arrows, twin rotor Chinook helicopter, the Blades aerobatic team and the breathtakingly loud and impressive rejuvenated Vulcan bomber from the Cold War era. 

XH558 was the last Vulcan to leave RAF service, flying on from 1986 to 1993 as the single RAF Display Vulcan, a career of 33 years. Her final flight was on 23rd March 1993 to Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire, having been sold off by the Ministry of Defence to C Walton Ltd, a family firm who purchased and maintained her, with the thought that one day, she might be returned to fight. XH558 was granted her Permit to Fly on 3rd July 2008, and returned to air displays two days later at a packed RAF Waddington Airshow, her former home. There was not a dry eye on the airfield! A dream was fulfilled here and the delta wing bomber graced the Wiltshire skies once more. Just awesome!

The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team performed an excellent show, jumping from a Chinook before landing in the arena to cheers from the sun-scorched crowd.  The Falcons are a unique Team, and proud to be widely recognised as the UK’s premier military Parachute Display Team. Flight Lieutenant Louise Buxton has the honour to be the Officer Commanding of the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team. The Chinook Display Team is made up of personnel from 18(B) Squadron and 27 Squadron, and is supported by a dedicated team of engineers from 18/27 Engineering Squadron, all based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

There was also a large static aircraft display from Vintage aircraft to modern day training aircraft including a selection of the varied roles undertake by Lyneham's Hercules transporters and much more to entertain all.  Some guests were lucky enough to take to the skies of Wiltshire onboard a training flight in the C130 Hercules.  Cloudless and clear bright skies, allowed the aviators the chance to see the picturesque and rolling Wiltshire landscape from a different perspective.

The large crowds who encircled the arena enjoyed displays from the Bath Air Training Corps marching band and the Tigers motorcycle display team.  The RAF Police delighted onlookers with a Police Dog display which highlighted the agility and extraordinary capability of the dogs and handlers alike. 

Activities laid on for the many children in attendance included a bouncy castle and sumo suit wrestling.  There were numerous food stands, craft stalls, raffles and several bars to ensure nobody went home disappointed.  In addition, Wiltshire Police’s Road Safety Team brought along several road safety vehicles and provided passers by with invaluable information about keeping safe on Wiltshire’s busy roads.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team from Wootton Bassett area from Wiltshire Constabulary led by Beat Manager PC Steve Porter, PCSO Andy Singfield and later PC Jarra Brown from the MoD Police entertained the visitors with an array of police equipment and the youngsters took the opportunity to check out the lock-up compartment of the police disturbance van. Hopefully this is the last time many of the young people experience the confines of the wire cage.

Following the excitement of the flying and arena displays, the day was rounded off with a 2 hour set from the band Doctor Chocolate.  By this point in the festivities, most of those who were still in attendance took the opportunity to relax in the sunshine as the rock and soul band kept them entertained.