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Queen marking RAF's 90th birthday Queen marking RAF's 90th birthday
(20 minutes later)
The Queen is attending the Royal Air Force's largest ceremony for more than 30 years. The Queen has said she is "enormously impressed" by the professionalism of the men and women of the Royal Air Force as she marked its 90th year.
She has presented new Colours to the service and there will be a flypast of 90 RAF aircraft later. She presented new Colours - ceremonial flags - to the service at its largest ceremony for more than 30 years.
Colours - ceremonial flags - are awarded by a sovereign every 15 years to mark a service's achievements. The presentation was made jointly to the RAF and its ground fighting force, the Royal Air Force Regiment, at RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire.
The presentation was made jointly to the RAF and the Royal Air Force Regiment, the RAF's ground fighting force, and marks 90 years of the RAF. There will be a flypast of 90 RAF aircraft later.
The Queen told 5,000 guests and 64 squadrons is was the fifth time she had presented the RAF Colours.
Let my Colours be an emblem of your achievement The Queen
She told them they should be "immensely proud" of their work but that she knew it came at "great cost" to individuals killed or injured in action, and their families.
She urged them to "protect my Colours" and "let them be an emblem of your achievement".
Colours are awarded by a sovereign every 15 years to mark a service's achievements.
Group Captain Tony Barmby, the event's project officer, said: "For most RAF personnel, involvement in such a parade is a once-in-a-career experience."Group Captain Tony Barmby, the event's project officer, said: "For most RAF personnel, involvement in such a parade is a once-in-a-career experience."
He added: "I'm very proud to have the chance to play a part."He added: "I'm very proud to have the chance to play a part."
Royal SaluteRoyal Salute
The Queen's Colours were last presented to the Royal Air Force in the UK at RAF Marnham, Norfolk, in 1993. The Queen's Colours were last presented to the Royal Air Force in the UK at RAF Marham, Norfolk, in 1993.
Friday's event will be the largest staged since Her Majesty conducted a Silver Jubilee review of the air force at RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire in 1977. Friday's event is the largest staged since the Queen conducted a Silver Jubilee review of the air force at RAF Finningley in South Yorkshire in 1977.
About 5,000 guests, including serving personnel, are attending. The 90th anniversary celebrations began with a royal salute and a flypast by four Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
It will begin with a Royal Salute and a flypast by four Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The Queen's Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) is escorting the Queen's Colours along with other Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons and 34 Squadron RAF Regiment.
The Queen's Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) will escort the Queen's Colours along with other Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons and 34 Squadron RAF Regiment.
The event marks the start of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.The event marks the start of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
The event will be shown in a special programme on BBC One at 1415 BST.The event will be shown in a special programme on BBC One at 1415 BST.