Hercules aircraft will lift off for the last time from RAF Lyneham today (Friday) when its final fleet does a symbolic lap of its home county before heading to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Up to four aircraft will fly out at 10.30am with the last of the servicemen and women and the station commander on board.

They will fly low from Lyneham, taking in Avebury, Calne, Devizes, Warminster, Melksham, Trowbridge, Colerne, Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury, before heading over Swindon to Brize.

Lyneham personnel are saying goodbye to the county that has hosted them for more than 70 years.

Group Captain John Gladston, who became Station Commander in 2009, said: “This is our last opportunity to say thank you and pay tribute to the people of Wiltshire for all the support they have given the station. It is with a heavy heart I bid farewell to the Hercules force, a sentiment which I know echoes throughout the Wiltshire community.

“The Hercules force will now take a piece of our unique and proud history to RAF Brize Norton where I know they will be most welcome. I am in no doubt that it will flourish and continue to build on our proud heritage for many years to come.”

Thousands are expected to be out in Wiltshire to wave goodbye to the planes dubbed Fat Alberts.

Former chief technician Rod Rhodes, 66, was serving at Lyneham when the Hercules was first brought in to commission.

Mr Rhodes, who lives in Calne, said: “I remember seeing the first Hercules coming over and they all left a big trail of black smoke.

“I am going to miss them a lot but the base shouldn’t be closing, it’s absolutely ridiculous. I know Princess Anne said the other week that she will miss seeing them fly in over Gatcombe and I would agree.

“I am sure there are many like me in the area who feel the same and will be sorry to see them go.”

When the Hercs touch down at Brize Norton at about 11.30am, St Cdr Gladston will shake hands with his counterpart in Oxfordshire, St Cdr Dom Stamp, before a parade on the airfield.

A staff of fewer than 100 medics, civilians and administrators will remain before the base closes in late 2012.