Airmen and women of 27 Squadron RAF Odiham celebrated 100 years of operational service last week, with the help of the Duke of Gloucester.

Formed on November 5, 1915, as 27 Squadron RFC at Hounslow Heath Aerodrome, the squadron has a diverse history including attack, maritime strike, reconnaissance, jungle rescue, support helicopter, training, and air transport.

Celebrations began in sombre style with a church service at All Saints’ Parish Church in Odiham led by Reverend (Squadron Leader) Peter John Baptiste who provided an excellent sermon commemorating 100 years of the squadron.

The Duke of Gloucester then arrived to receive the royal salute with a well-timed flypast of two Chinooks flying overhead as he reached the dias.

Commanding the 27 Squadron centenary parade was Wing Commander Nick Knight, who said: “It is with an overwhelming sense of pride I command 27 Squadron on this, the most special of birthday occasions. This momentous milestone is made even more significant as I finally welcome back 140 engineers to the fold following a 10-year hiatus: the demands of campaigning in Afghanistan.”

The celebrations culminated in a centenary’dining-in’ night for 320 personnel in a hanger, where the seating area was flanked by two under-lit Chinooks and balloons in squadron colours - yellow, red and green.

Special guests included 27 Squadron veterans Warrant Officer Retired James Kingham (Beaufighter era and Jungle Rescue), Wing Commander Phillip Goodall (Vulcan era) and Air Vice-Marshal Reynolds (Afghanistan era). As the night drew to a close, so did the 27 Squadron centenary celebrations.

Flight Lieutenant Adam Calvesbert, 27 Squadron pilot, said: “Everyone has had time to reflect on the significance of the week and it was with great pride that we could all be a part of such a significant part of 27 Squadron history.”

The celebrations were followed by the showcasing of the newly-painted centenary aircraft.