AFTER more than 80 years, a North Yorkshire RAF base has ceased flying operations prior to its closure – and at the same time a military veteran is going into retirement after three decades of faithful service.

Opened in 1937 in the run-up to the Second World War, RAF Linton on Ouse, between York and Easingwold, was initially a heavy bomber base. It has conducted flying training continuously since 1957 and over the last 40 years many thousands of pilots have been trained there, including Prince William.

The mainstay aircraft for the RAF’s fast jet training program for the last 30 years has been the Tucano which has now flown for the last time and has been replaced by the Texan.

The aircraft’s official retirement day at RAF Linton also coincided with the graduation of the final four students to be trained at the base and the last day of flying prior to its closure next year.

To mark the day for the first and last time, students were included in a nine-ship Tucano role demonstration. Before an audience of staff, students and assorted guests, which included military veterans and senior officers, the flyers gave a precision display.

With eight aircraft safely down the very, the honour of being the last Tucano flying was afforded to the two-man team consisting of Station Commander Group Captain Keith Taylor and Officer Commanding 72 Squadron, Robbie Lees.

On landing to applause and loud cheers the aircraft passed through a ceremonial victory arch formed by two of the station’s fire tenders.

Training now moves to Valley in North Wales where RAF pilots complete their £4m programme prior to deployment at operational stations.

Suitably to give students a taste of what is to come a flythrough was made by a Typhoon front line fighter and the new state of the art F35 Lightning stealth aircraft and four Hawks of 100 Squadron based at RAF Leeming, who will provide some harsh reality as their adversaries during training.

In the afternoon head of the RAF Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston presented the final four graduating pilots with their official wings and as per tradition a silver sixpence to insert behind it. Also present were families and Second World War veteran pilot George Dunn.

With flight training now at an end, the base will finally close next year. Presently more than 400 people work on the site – 150 military, the remainder civil servants and contractors. Although most will be redeployed, some local people may lose their jobs and Linton will become a much quieter place in the future. No decision has been made over what will happen to the site.

Base commander, Group Captain Keith Taylor said: “The community have been an integral part of Linton on Ouse ever since it came on the scene.

“I have nothing but fond memories of all the locals, they are our welcome partners. I actually feel very sad that it is us that is disappearing as an Air Force.”