This year's RAF Marham Families Day welcomed a very special visitor to the static display: a German Air Force Tornado, flown in by its crew, Capt Bender and Lt Duerr.
It's been seven years since a Tornado last flew into RAF Marham. On 14 March 2019, the final Royal Air Force Tornado touched down here as part of the official disbandment parade, bringing to a close nearly 40 years of active service for the iconic swing-wing aircraft.
The Weapons Systems Operator on that historic final flight was Sqn Ldr Bamber, who is still based at RAF Marham today and has been part of the Families Day committee helping to organise this year's flying display. Meeting the German Tornado crew, he reflected on what the moment meant to him:
"It was fantastic to see a Tornado back at RAF Marham after seven years. It took me right back to the last time I flew in a Tornado GR4, when we brought the jet home for the very last time. Seeing a Tornado fly into our Families Day will have brought back a lot of fond memories for many of our personnel, their families, and people across the local area."
Our thanks go to Capt Bender and Lt Duerr for bringing the aircraft to us and for sharing this moment with the RAF Marham community. With this year's Families Day theme of Past, Present and Future, having the Tornado join our static display feels particularly fitting, connecting our station's rich history with the friendships and partnerships that continue to shape its future.
