THIRTY years ago, a young Steve Lushington watched a vast Vulcan aircraft roar overhead at an air show on the Isle of Man.

The moment helped inspire him to join the Royal Air Force and he has now become the new station commander at RAF Brize Norton.

Group Captain Lushington, 44, took over from Dom Stamp in June and now runs the UK’s largest airbase at a time of massive change.

The base has expanded dramatically with the closure of RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire and new aircraft being moved to the base as others are decommissioned.

Gp Capt Lushington has been based at RAF Brize Norton on four previous tours during his career, ranging from co-pilot to squadron commander. He said: “Being station commander at RAF Brize Norton is one of those jobs you always want. There were a number of individuals who could have been chosen and the fact you are the one that is selected to do the job, you walk a bit taller.”

Gp Capt Lushington was brought up on the Isle of Man and joined the airforce straight from school, entering flying training at RAF Cranwell in 1988.

Married with three children, Gp Capt Lushington said that although his career had blossomed, he still missed the early days flying in VC10s.

He said: “You join the airforce for the flying, but as a station commander the opportunities to fly is few and far between.

“But I will do my utmost to fly a VC10 again.”