THERE were mixed emotions as 101 Squadron returned to RAF Brize Norton after serving in the Middle East for almost 19 years.

Yesterday, servicemen and women were greeted by friends and family as three VC10 refuelling tankers flew into the airbase.

There was pride at the job that had been done but silent thoughts of personnel from other units who died on the same missions.

The air-to-air refuelling unit was first deployed to the region in 1990 in the build-up to the Gulf War and has refuelled British and allied aircraft in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Air Vice Marshall Steve Hillier, air officer commanding 2 group, was with the squadron when it was first deployed in the Middle East.

He said: “After 19 years of continuous operations, I think there is that celebration and feeling of success that we have really achieved something over those 19 years.

“It has got to be tinged with sadness as people lost their lives on those operations — we think of those people and their families.

“The Middle East has been such a factor in the lives of the VC10s for so long, there has to be a period of adjustment as this is no longer the thing that we do.

“We need to get back into training so that we are ready for whatever else might be asked of the VC10 force in the future.”

The 47-year-old added: “For me, this has been a 19-year journey — I have spent a total of two and a half years in deployments in the Middle East.”

Group Captain Jon Ager, 43, station commander, said: “It’s quite emotional really.

“It’s been a huge part of our lives and you can’t be emotionally detached from that.

“It’s good for us to be away from Iraq and it’s good that Iraq stands on its own two feet, but we can’t ignore the fact that it’s been part of us.

“It’s very emotional but a happy time.”

Wing Commander Steve Lushington, 42, the squadron’s commanding officer, was greeted by his three children and wife Maggie.

He said: “The feeling is great. As a commanding officer bringing your squadron back after 19 years, it closes a very distinguished chapter on 101 Squadron.

“It will enable us to refresh for a while — everybody has been working very hard and it’s a chance to spend time with families.”

He added: “Who knows what will come next, we just stand ready to do whatever we are asked to do next — it might be anywhere in the world.”

Flight Lieutenant Chris Haywood, 27, from Carterton, returned to his wife Melanie, 26, and his 10-week-old son Oliver after three-and-a-half-weeks away.

He said: “Everybody is relatively positive.

“It’s good to be back in the UK and it’s something that we are not going to do three to four times a year at three weeks at a time.”

Carterton town mayor Maxine Crossland was also there to greet the squadron.

She said: “We are so proud of our servicemen and the wonderful job they do.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk