GROUP Captain Steve Duffill has handed over command of RAF Lyneham to his successor, Group Captain Ray Lock.

Gp Cpt Duffill is leaving his flying career behind as he heads for Canberra, Australia where he will be Military and Air Adviser for the next three years.

Gp Cpt Lock, who is excited by the prospect of such a large station, has formerly served as an instructor on the Hawk jet trainer as well as serving as the detachment commander of operations at the airbase of Ali Al Salem in Kuwait as part of ongoing missions over Iraq.

He has flown the Tornado fighter-bomber operationally and recently completed his training on the new J-series Hercules.