Queen discusses Libya operations at RAF Marham
Her Majesty The Queen, in her role as Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Marham, visited the station and its personnel this week to discover more about their work on operations over Libya.
![Her Majesty The Queen talking to Flight Lieutenant Shasha Sheard and Sergeant Mick Goddard at RAF Marham [Picture: Corporal Trish Morrison, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/6385/s300_Queen_discusses_Libya_operations_at_RAF_Marham.jpg)
Her Majesty The Queen talking to RAF servicemen
Her Majesty first visited one of the Marham hangars where the story of Op ELLAMY (the UK operation over Libya) and how it started were illustrated, and spoke with members of IX (Bomber) Squadron who were involved in the early planning stages of the operation.
She also visited the Tactical Imagery-Intelligence Wing and was shown the state-of-the-art technology that was used to provide world-class intelligence for the operations over Libya.
Her Majesty was then introduced to Wing Commander Nick Tucker-Lowe, Officer Commanding II (Army Cooperation) Squadron, which became the squadron in residence at Gioia del Colle air base in southern Italy during Op ELLAMY.
After viewing a Tornado and its weapon payload Her Majesty was introduced to the community support and welfare teams who supported the families whilst their loved ones were deployed. RAF Police air dog ‘Torres’ seemed singularly unaffected by the Royal presence, using the opportunity to have a big yawn!
As Her Majesty exited the Tornado hangar the children of Marham Infant School sang a song and presented her with a spring bouquet. A Quarter Guard then gave the salute as Her Majesty departed for the Officers’ Mess.
On arrival at the Officers’ Mess Her Majesty was received by the President of the Mess, Squadron Leader Charlie Donald, and the Chairman of the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess, Warrant Officer Dave Honour. Her Majesty then attended an all-ranks reception before taking lunch with a cross-section of RAF Marham personnel.
After lunch Her Majesty sat for a commemorative photo with the station executive and warrant officers before signing the visitors book. As Her Majesty departed RAF Marham she was waved off by dozens of local schoolchildren who had waited by the main gate to catch a glimpse of her as she starts her very busy Diamond Jubilee year.