The Mighty Hercules’ Farewell to Wiltshire
On Friday, 1st July 2011, the last of RAF Lyneham’s Hercules fleet of aircraft will say a final farewell to the County of Wiltshire before their official handover to the Station Commander of RAF Brize Norton Group Captain Dom Stamp.  The intention is to have the last of the aircraft transferring to RAF Brize Norton flown at low level, in stream formation to say a final goodbye to the people of Wiltshire. 

Departing RAF Lyneham at approximately 1030 hours, it is envisaged that the aircraft will follow a route that will start out by flying over Avebury, Calne, Devizes, Warminster, Melksham, Trowbridge, Colerne, Lyneham, Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, Tetbury and the Blunsdon area of Swindon, before the final leg of the journey to RAF Brize Norton. 

The 1st of July will mark the end of a remarkable era not only for the RAF but for the people of the County of Wiltshire that have supported RAF Lyneham so well over the years.

RAF Lyneham’s Station Commander, Group Captain John Gladston said: “This is our last opportunity to say thank-you and pay tribute to the people of Wiltshire for all the support they have given to the Station over the past 70 years.  It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to the Hercules Force, a sentiment which I know echo’s throughout the Wiltshire community.  The Hercules Force will now take a piece of our unique and proud history to RAF Brize Norton where I know they will be most welcome and I am in no doubt that it will flourish and continue to build on our proud heritage for many years to come.

Update: 30th June 2011
The latest amended flight path for the last Hercules departure event planned for tomorrow.  Please be advised that this flight path has been chosen to encompass as much of Wiltshire as possible and the specific areas listed in order have been issued to give you guidance as to where the aircraft is likely to be between 1030hrs and 1120 hrs on Friday, 1st of July.

1030hrs Depart Lyneham
West of Hullavington/Malmesbury
Colerne
Warminster      
Trowbridge
Melksham
Devizes
Calne
Chippenham
Lyneham Village
Wootton Bassett
Blunsdon area of Swindon
Shrivenham                  
1120hrs Arrive Brize Norton

This event and timings are subject to amendments or cancellation due to operational requirements, aircraft serviceability and weather.