DECADES of military flying at a North Yorkshire airbase came to an end on Saturday with a parade to mark the occasion.

It is also the end of the name of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, as it will disband and merge with 1 Regiment Army Air Corps and move to Somerset, and the end of an era was marked at Dishforth airbase with an emotional parade in front of colleagues and civic dignitaries.

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd CBE was treated to an impressive parade by the servicemen and women of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, and a highlight of the day was a pair of Lynx Mk9A that performed a memorable flypast to commemorate the occasion.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Cook OBE AAC said he had been extremely proud of his soldiers on parade and they had upheld the true traditions of the Army Air Corps.

“Naturally it was an emotional day but one I feel we marked with dignity and respect for the history that we are leaving behind here in Dishforth," he said.

"It was a poignant farewell and showed our guests the esteem in which we hold the community whom we have lived and worked with over the years.

“We will take with us many wonderful memories of living in North Yorkshire but we now have to face the challenges set before us as we move south to Yeovilton, in Somerset, where we will fly the new Wildcat recce aircraft. I am sure every soldier will be looking forward to the challenge and moving on.