Cheering crowds waving flags lined Odiham High Street to welcome marching service personnel from the nearby RAF base on Armed Forces Day.
Hundreds of people came out to see the airmen and women troop through the village on Saturday.
They were joined in the parade, from the War Memorial to The Bury, by veterans, cadets and children from Mayhill Junior School.
A Chinook helicopter flew low over the village to herald the arrival of the troops, while an armoured personnel carrier brought up the rear.
After the third biennial parade, station commander Group Captain Steve Shell said: “We don’t do what we do for our own benefit.
“The old adage ‘we’re proud to serve’ says everything. Our youngsters will go into harm’s way more readily if they know their neighbours value and appreciate them doing so.
“We are part of this community, not an annex to it.”
Squadron Leader John Coles led the parade to The Bury where the troops were presented to local dignitaries before falling out.
Sq Ldr Coles has been based at RAF Odiham, home of the UK’s Chinooks, for 20 years and said leading the parade had been “a rare privilege”.
The flyer, who has just returned from his third tour of Afghanistan, said: “Forces in other communities don’t have the same affinity we have with Odiham, so it’s nice to give something back.”
After the parade, many RAF personnel stayed to mingle with villagers and enjoy the fifth annual Blues and Booze festival.
Crowds were entertained by blues performers Adam Franklin, Bob Long, the Pete Harris Blues Band and the Eddie Martin Band.
Refreshments were provided by the Bell Inn and several food and drink companies, while families were able to visit a number of charity stalls and try out small armaments from the RAF camp.
Odiham town centre manager Peter Fountain told the Observer: “It’s important for the community to relax and get together and show their support for the RAF.
“What you will notice is every single age group is here, and that’s what we want.”
