RAF Waddington welcomes Earl of Wessex

Airmen and women from RAF Waddington enjoyed a brush with royalty when the Earl of Wessex paid a visit.

He presented awards and honours to 37 station personnel, some of whom have just returned from serving in Afghanistan.

Prince Edward, who is RAF Waddington's Honorary Air Commodore, spent time chatting with award recipients following the presentation.

The seventh in line to the throne wore his RAF uniform during the visit on Tuesday, October 9.

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Senior Aircraftsman Luke Shingler, 24, was presented with a campaign medal following a tour in Afghanistan.

"I was incredibly proud to receive my campaign medal and it was a real honour to have it presented to me by His Royal Highness," he said.

"It's a day to remember for me and my family."

The title of Honorary Air Commodore was bestowed on Prince Edward by the Queen in 2008.

Host for the day, Squadron Leader Vanessa Plumley, said: "It's an honorary title bestowed upon him by The Queen but he takes it very, very seriously.

"He takes a keen interest in serving personnel and their families. We are always pleased to welcome him to RAF Waddington.

"His visit makes the honours and awards that bit more special for the recipients."

In March last year, the Earl of Wessex visited servicemen from RAF Waddington at their base in the Middle East.

He met personnel who were supporting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions operations in Afghanistan.

During his two-day visit, he was briefed on the "important contribution" being made those serving as part of 902 Expeditionary Air Wing.

Prince Edward was shown evidence of arms caches that had been found as a direct result of intelligence gathered by the high-tech aircraft and the crews who operate them.