An RAF serviceman is returning to a Suffolk air base after 10 years as its new station commander.

Group Captain Dave Tait MBE stepped into the post at RAF Honington near Thetford on December 16.

He has seen operational service around the world including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

He last served at RAF Honington in 2006 as the officer commander No II Squadron, RAF Regiment.

Of his new appointment he said: 'It is a huge honour and privilege to take command of RAF Honington, home of the RAF Regiment and RAF Police'.

He added: 'One of my priorities will be tackle the infrastructure for both service personnel and their families. RAF Honington is an isolated unit and I want to ensure that the facilities are in place to support RAF Honington personnel.'

Group Captain Tait is a keen mountaineer having led the successful British Services' Expedition to Makalu, the world's fifth highest mountain, in 2008.

He was chairman of the RAF Mountaineering Association until 2011 and is the reigning (veteran) RAF indoor sports climbing champion.

He has just returned from the British Services' Medical Research Expedition to Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh highest mountain.

Group Captain Tait takes over the reins from Group Captain Mick Smeath, who is to be promoted to Air Commodore and become the chief of defence staff's liaison officer to the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff in Washington DC from July 2017.