AN OFFICER has handed over the command of his squadron after leading it in Afghanistan and other operations for the past two-and-a-half years.

Service personnel at RAF Odiham said a fond farewell to Wing Commander Steve Shell and welcomed their new commanding officer, Wing Commander Dom Toriati.

W Cdr Shell, 39, has completed his tour commanding 27 Squadron and is to be promoted to Group Captain. However, he has still not been informed of his new posting.

Besides the operations overseas, he said his time at the base has been colourful, including celebrations such as receiving a new standard - an event that only happens every 25 years - and commemorating the squadron's 90th anniversary.

He said: "In that time, there has been an operation in Pakistan doing earthquake relief, we have been to Lebanon evacuating people and a further four months in Afghanistan in command of the Joint Helicopter Force.

"It has all happened in two-and-a-half years and I feel amazingly privileged. It has been fantastically busy because of all those things."

He added: "I will miss the team spirit, the flying and doing real operations - humanitarian, evacuation and war fighting all in the same tour.

"The highlight for me was commanding in Afghanistan where you actually see all the work of the training that you put your three flights through."

The squadron will be in familiar hands as W Cdr Toriati began his career at Odiham 17 years ago.

He said: "I am fortunate that I have been here for a long time. I have a home in Odiham, my family uses the local hospital, and they go to school in Odiham.

"It's very familiar ground for me.

"It does feel like home and is very much, as far as the Air Force goes, as close as you get to the traditional feel of a regimental home."

W Cdr Toriati added: "The big challenge for me is to leave the squadron in two-and-a-half years time having had the same kind of experience that Steve Shell has had and leaving the squadron in as good a state as it has been left to me."