Princess Anne paid a moving tribute to RAF Lyneham during the final royal visit to the base.

The Princess Royal was joined by her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, as they said farewell to squadrons 24, 30, 47 and 47 Air Despatch, all of whom are due to leave the base for their new home at Brize Norton in the next few months.

Hundreds turned out on the runway as she inspected a parade of airmen, accompanied by the RAF Central Band.

Addressing the crowd, she said: “Today is a proud day for RAF Lyneham but also a poignant day in its distinguished history.

“Lyneham’s personnel and aircraft have played a pivotal role around the globe since the first Hercules fleet arrived on the station in 1967.

“This is a moment of reflection for those who have served on the station and those who live in the local area. The contribution made by this station has been nothing short of extraordinary.

“The demands have been many and have been challenging. However, you have excelled in everything that has been asked of you and been a distinguished example of the professionalism and courage symbolic of the Hercules fleet and the RAF.”

She also paid tribute to the servicemen who have lost their lives from the base and said she would miss the sound of the Hercules flying over her Gloucestershire home.

The hour-long parade was performed by 100 members of the remaining squadrons, accompanied by the Central Band, which played The Mighty Hercules, a piece specially written for the occasion.

Some 150 people watched over proceedings, including the mayors of Calne and Wootton Bassett, schoolchildren and members of the RAF Lyneham Old Boys’ Association.

Fly-pasts by two Hercules and a Battle of Britain Flight Dakota DC-3, reduced many of the ex-servicemen and their families to tears.

Veteran John Beauchamp, 81, of Wootton Bassett, was one of the on-lookers. The former flight sergeant and warrant officer, who served at the station for 37 years, said: “I am feeling mixed emotions today.

“It has been a very emotional day. It was a terrific parade and the lads did extremely well.

“I first came here in 1948 and I have many happy memories of the place, as well as a few sad ones.

“I think this has been a great send-off, especially when the DC-3 flew over. It really brought it all back.”

The last airmen at RAF Lyneham will be gone by the end of next month.

The base will not shut its gates until October 2012, but only civilian and medical staff will be left by the end of next month. Preparations to move squadrons 24, 30 and 47 to Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, have been under way for some time.

Master Aircrew Chris Hart, of 30 Squadron, who has served at Lyneham for 18 years, said: “I feel very proud to have served here and it has been a wonderful time.”

MAcr Hart, who also served in the Royal Navy for 15 years, lives in Wootton Bassett and will be staying in the town with his wife and commuting to work.

He said: “We are all fully prepared for the transition. My squadron will be up and running at Brize by the end of next month.”

Flight Lieutenant James Tabern, 28, of 24 Squadron, who came out of training to Lyneham four years ago, said:“It feels like the end of an era really. We are going to be the last squadron to go.

“The ethos here is that we are like one big family. The support network has always been brilliant, especially when we are away. I’m relocating with my wife and we are just finishing organising everything.”

Corporal Lucy Laughton will be one of the last to leave in September next year, when her medical wing departs. She said: “There is such a sense of history around the place.

“It is going to be quite weird when the number of personnel dwindles.”