AFTER high-profile visits by the Princess Royal and Prime Minister, Tony Blair, RAF Lyneham has again been playing host to VIPs, this time to the Commander of Projection Forces of the French Air Force, General Beck.

Accompanied by the RAF's Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice Marshal Maddox and other high-ranking French officers, General Beck was primarily interested in the station's operation of the C130J version of the Hercules.

The fact-finding exercise, which took place on April 29, was part of the MoD's policy of closer working links with European partners.

The highlight of the visit was when the delegation took part in a demonstration of the C130J Hercules' flying capabilities.

Lyneham's Acting Station Commander, Wing Commander Guy Edwards, said: "We were delighted to be offered the opportunity to illustrate to our European counterparts the C130J operations conducted by the station. I hope the time they spent with us will assist the French Air Force in the future."

Lyneham currently has about 700 servicemen and women, serving in the Gulf.