IT seemed like everyone in Benson had turned out to welcome home their brave RAF heroes.

Even the most hardened airmen of RAF Benson admitted to having a lump in their throats as they marched through throngs of cheering well-wishers to mark their homecoming at the end of operations in Iraq.

At midday yesterday, all along Benson High Street, war veterans, villagers, visitors and schoolchildren stood five to six deep to honour and applaud the servicmen who served in Basra.

Led by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, 86 aircrew and support staff in desert combat uniform marched beneath the Union flag bunting to waves of applause.

Overhead, in their easiest mission in six years, a Merlin and Puma helicopter flew past as Station Commander Jonathan Burr took the salute.

Packed at the front of the crowds were 80 school children from RAF Benson Primary School, waving base flags and cheering on their mums and dads.

Sqn Ldr Mark Biggadike, 36, who piloted the last Merlin helicopter to return, said: “When we saw the school children as we came through the village centre, the aircraft flew overhead and we turned to salute – I wouldn’t say there was a tear in my eye, but it may have been slightly glassy.”

“It was a very proud moment, and it was good to see the village turn out in such numbers.”

For six years, troops from RAF Benson have moved soldiers and supplies, launched emergency rescues, and provided safe passage for civilian planes amid the heat and dust of Iraq. Every day brought fresh risk of attack from insurgents.

The last helicopter returned in August. Crews are now due to be deployed to Afghanistan.

Junior technician Alison Riley, 27, who was one of three women in the parade, said: “It was absolutely brilliant to see the support from the village.

“When we came round the corner and saw the people lined up to cheer us, it was as if we all smiled and grinned, even if we didn’t show it on the outside.

“I admit I was a little bit welled up. At one point I saw a really old guy, with his grandson, and that put a big lump in my throat. We recognise what the older generation did for us, and now they recognise that we’ve done it as well.”

Gp Cpt Burr said he had not expected so many people.

He said: “There was superb support from the huge turnout, which showed how much appreciation there was for what they did. To come back home and feel wanted by the local community is really important.”

And Benson Parish Council chairman Bill Pattison, who stood alongside the Station Commander to take the salute, said: “Watching the guys going past. I could see every one with their chests out and their eyes turned to their base commander. I could see how proud they were.”