End of an 'OB' Era
Friday 16th December 2006 will be earmarked as a significant and poignant date in Wiltshire's premier airbase archives, already streamed with history and events. It will be noted as the day in which the 'OB' Era had to finally end. Group Captain Paul Oborn, affectionately nicknamed 'OB' said his final farewell to the station that has become an integral part of his life and illustrious career as a Hercules pilot in the Royal Air Force.

His career began as a co-pilot on 30 Sqn in 1981, and after many tours in and out of Lyneham he returned to his roots to become the Station Commander on the 19th December 2003 taking over from outgoing Group Captain Lock.

Group Captain Paul Oborn's twenty four month tour has been saddened by the tragic Hercules accident, in which eight of his airmen died after the aircraft was shot down in Iraq during the country's elections for peace on the 30th January 2005. It was a deeply heart-rending moment for the station boss and he often reflected on the crew as 'truly one of the best' and great comfort was given when findings of the MoD Inquiry into the accident, this month totally exonerated the crew of blame.

On a chilly December 16th morning Group Captain Oborn and the incoming Station Commander, Group Captain Atherton flew together and shook hands in the air before returning to hard ground to attend a champagne reception with all the station executives in the VIP Lounge.

The traditional handing over of the realm as station commander to Wiltshire's busiest airbase, was marked as the commander's baton was passed to the station commander designate, Group Captain Oborn made a short speech thanking all the executives for their hard work and dedication, on what has been an eventful two years in post.

The time had come for 'OB' to be escorted off the unit in true military fashion, an emotional time and there was a definite tear in his eye as he stopped along the main station driveway, to say goodbye to the Military and Civilian personnel that have come to admire and respect him so much.

The station executives stood outside the Air Terminal Building and waved goodbye while the Station Warrant Officer decided it was time to go and search for the new Station Commander.

Group Captain Oborn, departing Station Commander said: “I have enjoyed my time here immensely and it is with much regret that I move on. Lyneham has never been busier than it is now but, in spite of this, Lyneham personnel constantly surprise me, not just with their dedication and hard work to their primary tasks in support of our mission, but also with the energy and time they give to our community."

" It has been a great privilege to have served as Station Commander here at RAF Lyneham and the hard work and resolve of everyone in all that we have faced has been fantastic.” Group Captain Oborn has been posted to the Royal College of Defence Studies.

The Lyneham community have been touched by the manner in which Group Captain Paul Oborn displayed day-in and day-out exemplary leadership qualities during his tour, especially bringing the station and local area together while we all mourned the loss of the Hilton 22 crew in January this year. His sense of duty, devotion, impeccable leadership, acceptability to difficult scenarios will be sorely missed in the local community. He has been described as a true professional and gentleman. Good luck 'OB' and a special thank you for your efforts within Team Lyneham and the local community.