Three squadrons from RAF Brize Norton have been awarded battle honours for the roles they played in the Iraq War.

But mystery surrounds the failure to honour a fourth squadron, which is also based at Brize.

The Battle Honour Iraq 2003 was yesterday given to 10, 101 and 216 Squadrons from the west Oxfordshire base.

The awards were announced by the Ministry of Defence after being approved by the Queen.

10 Sqn and 101 Sqn flew VC10s from the UK, Cyprus and Prince Sultan airbase. They were deployed in strategic air transport, air refuelling and medical evacuation roles. 216 Sqn operated Tristars from the UK and Bahrain and was deployed in strategic and in-theatre air transport and air refuelling roles.

Wing Commander Mark Baker, acting station commander at RAF Brize Norton, said: "We're obviously delighted for the three squadrons that have been given battle honours. They played a very important part in the conflict.

"There is some confusion and question as to why 99 Squadron haven't been given battle honours. We're not quite sure how they were awarded and it's causing some distaste, but we'll continue to look into that.

"But for those squadrons that have been given it we're delighted. It wasn't just during the conflict, the station is still working very hard and I should think will do so for some months to come."

An MoD spokesman said: "Battle Honours represent official acknowledgement of the part played in a successful campaign or engagement by ships, units and squadrons. They serve as a permanent record of achievement and are intended to foster esprit de corps. They also encourage service personnel to take a personal interest in the operational history of their ship, squadron or regiment, and units of the same name that may have distinguished themselves in the past."

The entire fleet of aircraft at Brize Norton will move temporarily to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for four months in September.