The station commander of RAF Brize Norton, Group Captain Neil Jagger, is handing over command of the country's largest air force base after two years to Group Captain John Lermonte on Friday.

One of his most poignant memories came after the attacks in New York on September 11 when just two aircraft crossed the Atlantic from Britain to America. They flew from RAF Brize Norton carrying Government officials.

He said: "It's been a tremendous two years. The station has been as busy as I can remember."

He will be moving to a new post at Strike Command at High Wycombe.