The Duke of Edinburgh visits RAF Waddington
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The Duke of Edinburgh has visited RAF Waddington in Lincoln at a ceremony to present 51 Squadron with their new Squadron Standard.
His Royal Highness, as Honorary Air Commodore, presented the new Squadron Standard at a ceremony with over seventy Squadron personnel from 51 Squadron on parade, and with 160 guests in attendance.
The Duke has been Honorary Air Commodore of Royal Air Force Waddington since 2008. RAF Waddington is one of the RAF’s busiest stations as it is the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance. It is also the main operating base for airborne intelligence aircraft and systems.
The Royal Air Force Squadron Standard follows on wider military tradition where the unit flag was a rallying point for military troops to ensure that they were formed in the right area and could be issued with orders. Today, especially for the Royal Air Force, the Standard is a more symbolic rallying point and is paraded for ceremonial occasions.
The Standard parade marks the transition from one Standard to another with the retiring Standard representing the last 25 years of 51 Squadron’s service. The new Squadron Standard, which is one of the first to be presented with the Tudor crown, will be the symbolic rallying point for the next 25 years.
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