A squadron based at RAF Odiham has been presented with a new standard, just weeks after half the crew returned from its latest deployment in Afghanistan. The Duke of Gloucester visited RAF Odiham to present 27 Squadron with its third standard on Friday March 2, after watching and inspecting the squadron's parade. The parade marched into the air hangar while the RAF central band played "Eagle Squadron". Proud family members looked on as the parade was inspected and the silk standard was draped over drums at the front of the hangar. The standard was then uncased by squadron standard bearer, flight lieutenant Phil Nuttall and consecrated by the chaplain in chief, Peter Mills. The new standard is made of embroidered silk, and has to be handled with gloved hands at all times. The third standard is of huge importance to the personnel at number 27 Squadron. flight lieutenant Andi Large said: "This is our sovereign, it has been authorised by the Queen and we have been graciously awarded it. We're really proud to receive it." At the end of the ceremony, former squadron commander Air Vice-Marshall John Ponsonby told the parade: "Congratulations to you all on a splendid parade and I hope the standard will be a reminder of your predecessors and successors. You have helped to keep the squadron's reputation to the highest order, and the British Army are grateful." Jason Davenhill, a helicopter pilot from Alton, has just returned to work following a period of leave after his latest deployment in Afghanistan. He told The Herald how he spent his time off: "It was lovely to be home in Alton. I watched the pancake race in the Market Square and my children visited in half-term, so it was really nice." Flight lieutenant Davenhill is a keen member of Alton Operatic Dramatic Society in his spare time, and can often be seen rehearsing while at work. He said: "While we were in the Falklands, and inbetween flights, I was desperately trying to learn my lines. "Now I'm getting ready for a tap dancing show in June at the Anvil." Since returning to Odiham after leave, the Squadron have been working hard to keep the Chinooks flying. Flight lieutenant Richard Elford told The Herald: "When we get back we continue to fly the Chinooks, and revise what we know. The flying conditions change, and we have to be able to adapt to that. "We rely on the support and the understanding of the local community in Odiham and the surrounding area, to allow us to practice low flying." Since its formation in 1915, 27 Squadron can claim to have one of the most exciting histories of any squadron in the Royal Air Force. It has operated in almost every major theatre of war since the service was formed and has been active in a variety of different roles. On October 1 1993 , number 240 operational conversion unit became number 27 squadron equipped with Puma KC Mk1 and Chinook HC Mk1 helicopters. More recently, the Squadron has supported operations in Kosovo and Sierra Leone and is capable of amphibious operations on HMS Ocean. The squadron's commitment to Bosnia and the NATO stabilisation force came to an end in 2000. The squadron is constantly ready to deploy at short notice in support of UK operations and did so in 2005 to assist with humanitarian aid relief in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Pakistan and more recently as part of the civilian evacuation force in Lebanon. Support of the coalition forces in Afghanistan commenced last year and will be the prime focus for the squadron in the foreseeable future.