The Princess Royal is Lyneham's Honorary Air Commodore

She met personnel and their families at the base near Chippenham, Wilts, where she is the Honorary Air Commodore.

Princess Anne congratulated one woman who is making thousands of yellow ribbons for people to wear in support of those who have been sent to the Gulf.

Beverley Isaac, 37, from Maesteg, Wales, whose husband, Senior Aircraftsman Huw Isaac, 38, is due to be deployed with 4626 Auxiliary Medical Squadron, said: "We just want to drum up some support for the lads.

"Someone mentioned the ribbons on the RAF's internet chatroom recently and so I just offered to make them for people. It's incredible how it has taken off.

"Princess Anne seemed very interested in what I was doing."

'Miss them'

About 700 personnel have been deployed to the Gulf from RAF Lyneham, which is home to four squadrons flying 52 Hercules transport aircraft.

Karen Wilson, 37, said it was tough looking after her son Robert, nine, and daughter Charlotte, six, while her husband, Sgt Rob Wilson, also 37, had been away since November with 4626 Auxiliary Medical Squadron.

"We miss them but I know it is difficult for them too," she said.

"They have all had to get rid of their personal effects in case they are captured so they don't even have any pictures or letters from their families."

Lynn Boon, 36, whose husband, Corporal Phil Boon, 38, is an aircraft refueller based at RAF Lyneham, praised the role of the Hive, or community centre for families quartered at the base.

"I am a volunteer here and it's very, very valuable to people. It gives people a lot of support at a tough time," she said.