It's been emotional: Pilot's tribute to the Tornado

Pilot was last to be trained on the iconic aircraft Credit: PA

The last ever pilot to be trained for Tornado jet operations by the RAF hassaid it will be "emotional" when the aircraft is retired this year.

Flight Lieutenant Nathan Shawyer, 27, has flown Tornados into Syria and Iraq in the fight against Islamic State in his two years with 31 Squadron.The final Tornados will leave service before the end of March after almost 40 years with the RAF.

It's been emotional: Flt Lt Shawyer Credit: PA Images

The Tornado has been in service since 1979 and was first used in combat during the first Gulf War.

Its capabilities will be transferred to the Typhoon, which will also be Flt LtShawyer's next aircraft.

Speaking at RAF Marham in Norfolk, where the Tornado is based, he said: "It's an absolutely awesome machine to fly.

"It's very mechanical, it's clearly very aged now compared with a lot of themodern jets we have these days but I absolutely love it."It's best suited at low level, it's very stable at low level and that's whereit really enjoys itself."

The crests of all the squadrons to have flown Tornado painted on an RAF Tornado Credit: PA Images

RAF Marham Station Commander Group Captain Ian 'Cab' Townsend said there will be a "finale flypast" around the UK to commemorate places that have contributed to the Tornado over the years.

There will also be a single sortie over the disbandment parade at RAF Marham on March 14, he said.

Commemorations have already begun, with three Tornados specially painted with squadron artwork and around 150 plane enthusiasts invited to RAF Marham on Friday to see Tornados up close.More than 1,300 people had requested to come.