Published Sunday, 20 September 2009
The ceremony marked the transition of the base which will now become the Joint Helicopter Flying Station Aldergrove after 91 years.
Hundreds turned out for a church service and a parade commemorating the Battle of Britain.
Station personnel and veterans from the RAF Association, the Aircrew Association and the Royal British Legion attended.
There were also a number of political figures including former First Minister Ian Paisley.
Mr Paisley said it was an emotional day for the local community, which RAF ALdergrove had been very much a part of for a long time.
"It's sad in many ways because it's a closing of an epoch in this history of this place", he said.
"I'm glad it's not closing down totally and that other things will be coming to it, but it's still the passing of a very important part of the history of this place."
The station will be losing around 600 out of 700 RAF personnel when Two-30 Squadron moves to RAF Benson over the coming months.
It is thought there could be some job losses as a result.
Overall numbers at Aldergrove will remain the same as five Regiment Army Air Corps will continue to operate from the base and 38 Engineer Regiment, which is currently based at Massereene, will be moving to the station.