A formation of Lynx helicopters made a stop at Wattisham Flying Station today to mark the end of the aircraft’s distinguished 40-year career with the British Army.

Ipswich Star: Lynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMYLynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMY (Image: Archant)

The Lynx were a frequent presence in the skies of Suffolk between 1993 and 2006, with both 3 and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps flying them from Wattisham and on operations in the Balkans and Iraq before both units converted to the Apache attack helicopter.

The model entered service with the Army Air Corps in 1978 and has been used to destroy tanks, evacuate casualties, gather intelligence, provide humanitarian support, rescue those in peril and wow the crowds at air shows.

It is being replaced as the Army’s battlefield utility helicopter by the Wildcat, which boasts upgraded engines and superior avionics.

To mark the Lynx’s decommissioning, the Army Air Corps flew five of the last remaining airframes from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, where they are based, on a commemorative tour around England, taking in some of the sites and locations to which the aircraft is most associated.

Ipswich Star: Lynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMYLynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMY (Image: Archant)

The aircraft dropped into Wattisham to refuel under turning rotors, before flying in formation through central London as the last leg of their tour.

Ipswich Star: Lynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMYLynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMY (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Lynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMYLynx helicopters refuel at Wattisham Flying Station during retirement tour. Picture: STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN PEARCE, BRITISH ARMY (Image: Archant)