A SQUADRON whose emblem is a Phoenix rising from the ashes has been disbanded at a solemn ceremony at RAF Lyneham.

It was a poignant moment for 57 (R) Squadron, which took its distinctive badge after the entire complement was either killed, wounded or taken prisoner in 1917.

Past and present members of the squadron attended a service at the base church followed by a fly-past and a formal lunch, last Thursday.

Its disbanding comes as the people of Lyneham step up the fight to save the base from closure.

The squadron's role was training air crew to fly the C130K Hercules in a variety of situations, to meet the air force's tactical and transportation needs.

However 25 of the base's C130K aircraft were replaced by the newer C130J between November 1999 and June 2001, making the old squadron inefficient .

Villagers concerned about the possible closure of the base met at Lyneham Village Hall on Friday when MP James Gray revealed a petition calling for Lyneham to be saved has gathered 9,500 signatures.

Last week Mr Gray slammed defence cuts, which could also lead to the closure of the Azimghur Barracks in Colerne, that employs 70 civilians, when the 21 Signals Regiment moves to the East Midlands in 2007.

"Here we are in a time of war and international uncertainty and all the Government can think of is selling Colerne and possibly closing Lyneham," said Mr Gray.

He called the cuts unnecessary and accused the Government of having a defence budget in a shambles.

The training squadron has been disbanded as part of a policy of streamlining training at the base, which will now be taken over by Lyneham's four other squadrons.

But there are hopes that the squadron will rise from the ashes, like its emblem the Phoenix, as it has done three times before. Although the day commemorated the squadron's many achievements it was a solemn occasion, with the squadron's large book of remembrance a poignant reminder of fallen comrades.

Among the past members of the squadron to attend the service was 81-year-old retired Air Marshal Ivor Broom, who served with the squadron in the Second World War. There were three other past commanders of the squadron at the ceremony.

Also in attendance was the Commander in Chief of Strike Command, Air Marshal Sir John Day.

This is not the first time that 57 (R) Squadron has been disbanded in its 90- year history. It disbanded in 1919 only to reform in 1931 at Netheravon, flying the Hawker Hart light bomber.

It disbanded again in 1957 but reformed the same year as part of the Nuclear Deterrent Strike Force, based at Honington. It disbanded most recently in 1986, but returned in its latest guise when the Hercules Operational Conversion Unit was renamed 57 (R) Squadron in 1992.

The squadron's standard will be taken to the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell where it will be kept in the college rotunda until the Phoenix rises again to serve its country.

The squadron's commanding officer, Wing Commander Kiwi O'Meeghan said: "It is a hugely sad day that the squadron is yet again going.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the squadron's commanding officer and I have to say how lucky I am to be a part of a squadron which has a rich history, and which has so many real heroes in it. The Phoenix will rise again and the squadron's distinguished history will continue."

Meanwhile, MP James Gray hopes the number of signatures on the protest petition will rise to 10,000 before it is presented to the Speaker at the House of Commons after Easter.

Mr Gray initially hoped 5,000 signatures would be collected. "It is a great achievement to get at least double that," he said.

"I am getting sheets through the post each day."

At Friday's public meeting attended by more than 50 people, Mr Gray brought constituents up to date on how the campaign is going.

"We cannot say we haven't campaigned enough, we have done everything we can to get our message across to the Government," said Mr Gray.

He was joined by Coun Toby Sturgis, who is heading a Lyneham working group set up by Wiltshire County Council, and Colin Quaife, a former Hercules Wing Commander and member of the Save RAF Lyneham committee.

In November, Ministry of Defence chiefs announced they were reviewing the future of RAF Lyneham as they identified the most suitable base for the A400M aircraft, which will work with the C-130J Hercules to form the RAF's air transport fleet.

The review will also consider the future of RAF bases at Brize Norton and St Mawgan, and the results are expected in the summer.

Mr Gray said David Cameron, the MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, which covers RAF Brize Norton, is also to join the campaign to save RAF Lyneham. "There will be quite a large environmental issue were all the Hercules fleet to move to Brize Norton and it would affect his constituents in many ways," said Mr Gray.

He said Mr Cameron is meeting with his own district council tomorrow to lobby support for presenting a plan to the Government, urging ministers to preserve the Hercules fleet at Lyneham. People from all over the county have signed the petition.