The Last Tornado Flypast To Mark RAF's Special Link With A Town

A Freedom Parade which celebrates a town's special link with the RAF has taken place in King’s Lynn.

The annual event was also marked by a Tornado flypast, the last before the aircraft bows out of service next year. 

Personnel paraded through the streets to exercise their freedom of the borough.

RAF Marham was first granted the honour in 1981 and since then the parade has become a popular event giving residents the opportunity to show their support.

As part of the celebrations, crowds were treated to the last ever flypast by a Tornado at the event.

The aircraft has been strongly associated with RAF Marham as it is home to the frontline squadrons of the RAF’s Tornado Force.

Tornados from RAF Marham have been involved in operations in the Middle East for over 25 years and are currently supporting the fight against Daesh in the skies over Iraq and Syria.

Next year the fighter jets will be retired to make way for the new F35s.

Speaking at the parade, Group Captain Ian Townsend, from RAF Marham, said:

"It's a really important year for Marham, not only are we celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, but we are seeing the great transition between the Tornado force, that's been at Marham since 1982, and, in the summer this year, the lightning forces the F-35B lightning will arrive and next year the tornado will go out service"