RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby Group Captain Paul O'Grady | |||||||
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Source: RAF Coningsby Defence Aerodrome Manual[3] |
Royal Air Force Coningsby or RAF Coningsby (
History
Second World War
Plans for an airfield at Coningsby began in 1937 as part of the RAF's expansion plan. However progress in the compulsory purchase of the land was slow and delayed the start of work for two years.
The original grass runways were found to be unsuitable for heavy bomber operations so the station was closed for nearly a year between September 1942 and August 1943, whilst paved runways were laid in preparation for accommodating such aircraft. At the same time further hangars were constructed.[4][5]
The first unit to return was the now-famous No. 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. Equipped with Avro Lancaster heavy bombers, the squadron was stationed at Coningsby from August 1943. Due to its specialist nature, the Dambusters carried out limited operations whilst at Coningsby, with the most notable being Operation Garlic, a failed raid targeting the Dortmund-Ems canal in Germany, when five out of the eight Lancasters on the mission failed to return home. As the squadron required more space, it moved to nearby RAF Woodhall Spa in January 1944, swapping places with another Lancaster unit, No. 619 Squadron, which itself later moved on to RAF Dunholme Lodge.[4][8]
Further Lancaster squadrons were based at Coningsby during the final months of the war, including No. 61 Squadron from RAF Skellingthorpe, No. 83 Squadron and No. 97 Squadron.[5]
Post war
Following the Second World War, Coningsby was home to the
Jet aircraft
The airfield received its first jet aircraft—the English Electric Canberra—in 1953.[10] During 1956, the station expanded with the runway being extended.[10] Avro Vulcans arrived in 1962, then transferred to RAF Cottesmore in November 1964.[10]
From 1964 to 1966, the station had been initially designated to receive the proposed RAF strike aircraft, the advanced BAC TSR-2,[10] which was cancelled in April 1965 by the Labour Government. The TSR2 was planned to join No. 40 Squadron at Coningsby in 1968 to replace the Canberra.[11]
Phantoms
The TSR2's intended replacement—the American
AFVGs were also planned to replace the Buccaneer in the Royal Navy—Tornados were never flown by the Royal Navy, as the carriers for them, the CVA-01s, were cancelled. But the Royal Navy did operate fourteen Phantoms on HMS Ark Royal, until the new smaller carriers entered service—48 Phantoms had been designated for the Fleet Air Arm, with twenty of these ending up at RAF Leuchars, and Ark Royal's Phantoms ended up at Leuchars in 1978. HMS Eagle was never converted to Phantom use as it was deemed too expensive, and the carrier was scrapped in January 1972, with its Sea Vixen aircraft. Another alternative considered by the Labour government in July 1965 for the TSR-2 was to order Rolls-Royce Spey-engined French Mirage IV aircraft, to be known as the Mirage IVS; it would have avionics from the TSR-2, and be partly made by BAC at Warton.[14]
Spey-engined
No. 41(F) Squadron joined in April 1972, and stayed until 1977. The other ground-attack Phantom squadrons (four of them) were at RAF Bruggen. No. 111(F) Squadron replaced their Lightnings (from RAF Wattisham) with Phantoms from 1 October 1974. On 1 January 1975, No. 29(F) Squadron joined and stayed until 1987, when disbanded. On 1 November 1975, No. 23(F) Squadron joined until February 1976, when moved to RAF Wattisham. In March 1976, No. 56(F) Squadron joined until July 1976, then went to Wattisham.[16]
The Phantom's role changed to air defence in October 1974 when the airfield transferred to No. 11 Group in Strike Command, when the SEPECAT Jaguar (situated in Norfolk) took over the ground attack role. No. 111(F) Squadron were the first to take the new air defence Phantoms. During 1975, the UK's air defence transferred to the Phantom FGR.2 from five squadrons of English Electric Lightnings. The UK was covered by NATO Early Warning Area 12. Three Sector Operations Centres were at RAF Buchan, Boulmer and Neatishead; in the 1960s, the UK had the Linesman/Mediator radar system, which was obsolete by the 1970s. No. 29(F) Squadron formed with Phantoms at Coningsby on 1 January 1975; until then the Phantom FG.1 had been operating with the Royal Navy only. On 3 March 1975, a Phantom crashed into a nearby house, with both pilot and navigator ejecting. The Queen visited the station on 30 June 1976.[17]
Tornados
During the Gulf War, Tornados from Coningsby were based for three months at Dhahran International Airport to participate in Operation Granby. Tornado engines were serviced on the northern section of the former RAF Woodhall Spa, denoted as RAF Woodhall.[21][22]
Jaguars
With the running down of RAF Coltishall in Norfolk, No. 6 Squadron relocated with their SEPECAT Jaguars to Coningsby on 1 April 2006, where it was planned they would operate from until October 2007.[23] However, on 25 April 2007 it was announced by the Ministry of Defence that the Jaguars would be withdrawn from service on 30 April.[24] May 2007 saw No. 6 Squadron flying their Jaguars to RAF Cosford where they would be utilised by No. 1 SoTT.[25] No. 6 Squadron disbanded on 31 May 2007.[26] Deliveries continued in June and July, with the last Jaguar to arrive at Cosford from Coningsby being XX119 on 2 July 2007.[23]
Eurofighter Typhoon
No. 12 Squadron reactivated in July 2018 and is temporarily integrating Qatar Emiri Air Force air and ground crews in order to provide training and support as part of the Qatari purchase of twenty-four Typhoons from the UK.[30]
In October 2019, RAF Coningsby signed a twinning agreement with Fighter Wing 73 (Jagdgeschwader 73) of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) to enhance opportunities to meet and train with one another. The wing, based at Laage in north-eastern Germany, also operates the Eurofighter Typhoon.[31]
Role and operations
RAF Coningsby's mission statement is 'To develop the future, deliver the present and commemorate the past of the Royal Air Force's combat air power.'
Command
The station commander is
Typhoon operations
The Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 provides the RAF with a multi-role combat capability for air policing, peace support and high intensity conflict. RAF Coningsby is the home to three front-line Typhoon units, No. 3(F) Squadron and No. 11 Squadron as well as No. 12 Squadron which is a joint RAF/Qatar Emiri Air Force squadron. They are accompanied by No. 29 Squadron which is the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit which trains new crews.[39]
Quick Reaction Alert
Since June 2007, Coningsby's Typhoons have been responsible for maintaining the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) South mission (QRA(I)S). Aircraft and crews are held at a high state of readiness, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond to unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. QRA missions range from civilian airliners which have stopped responding to air traffic control, to intercepting Russian aircraft such as the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack.[40]
Test and Evaluation
The fourth Typhoon unit is
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Coningsby has been home of the
Force Protection
No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters provides operational planning, command and control to two
Air Land Integration (ALI) Cell
No. 7 Force Protection Wing includes the Air Land Integration (ALI) Cell, which provides a forward air control capability. The ALI Cell trains and provides Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACS) and Tactical Air Controller Parties (TACPS) to support RAF and joint operations. The ALI Cell moved to Coningsby from RAF Honington in Suffolk and came under the control off the wing in June 2018.[47]
Expeditionary Air Wing
No. 121 Expeditionary Air Wing was formed at Coningsby on 1 April 2006 to create a deployable air force structure.[48][49]
Based units
Royal Air Force
- Combat Air Force
- Headquarters, Combat Air Force[52]
- No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 11 (F) Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 12 Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- No. 29 Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- Typhoon Display Team
- Air and Space Warfare Centre
- No. 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) – Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Dakota and Chipmunk
No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support)
- Air Security Force
- No. 2 RAF Police & Security Wing
- Combat and Readiness Force
- No. 7 Force Protection Wing
- Headquarters No. 7 Force Protection Wing
- Air Land Integration (ALI) Cell
- No. 7 Force Protection Wing
British Army
- 8 Engineer Brigade
- 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group
- 20 Works Group (Air Support)
- 532 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Airfields) (STRE)
- 20 Works Group (Air Support)
- 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group
Heritage
Station badge and motto
RAF Coningsby's badge, awarded in December 1958, features a depiction of Tattershall Castle. The local landmark, dating from the 15th century, is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north-west of the station.[53]
The station's motto is Loyalty binds me.[53]
Gate guardians
Two preserved aircraft are located at the main gate of RAF Coningsby and act as gate guardians for the station. The first is McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR.2 'XT891' wearing No. 41 Squadron markings and the second Panavia Tornado F3 'ZE760' in No .5 Squadron markings.[54][55]
Within the No. 3 Squadron hardened aircraft shelter (HAS) complex, Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 'XW924' is on display and within the No.11 Squadron HAS complex is English Electric Lightning F.6 'XT753'. A further Lightning F.6, 'XS897' (wearing 'XP765') is preserved in the No. 29 Squadron site.[54]
Incidents and accidents
List of Station Commanders
- Augustus Walker GCB1951–1954
- Air Commodore David Strong CB1957–59
- Air Vice-Marshal Michael Le Bas CB CBEDSO AFC 1959–1961
- Air Vice-Marshal Frank Dodd CBE DFC 1961–1963
- Air Chief Marshal Sir John Rogers KCB CBE 1967–1969
- Group Captain David Robert Kidgell Blucke ?-1974
- Air Vice-Marshal Dennis Allison CB 1974–1976
- Air Vice-Marshal Derek Bryant CB OBE 1976–1978
- Group CaptainChristopher Sprent 1978–80
- Air Chief Marshal Sir William Wratten CBE CB 1980–1982
- Air Commodore Robert (Bob) Arnott CBE 1982–1984
- Group Captain Mike Elsam 1984–1986
- Air Marshal Sir Christopher CovilleCB 1986–1988
- Air Commodore Martin Widdowson 1988–1990
- Air Marshal Clifford Spink CB CBE 1990–1993
- Air Vice-Marshal Peter Ruddock CBE 1999–2000
The following Station Commanders are listed in the rank held at the time of appointment:
- Group Captain Bob Judson (2004–2006)
- Group Captain Stuart Atha DSO (2006–2008)
- Group Captain J J Hitchcock (2008–2010)
- Group Captain Martin Sampson DSO (2010–2012)
- Group Captain Johnny Stringer (2012–2014)
- Group Captain Jez Attridge OBE(2014–2016)
- Group Captain Mike Baulkwill (2016–2018)
- Group Captain Mark Flewin (2018–2020)[57]
- Group Captain Matt Peterson (2020–2022)[58]
- Group Captain Billy Cooper (2022–present)[35]
See also
References
Citations
- ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
- ^ "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. 18. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby Defence Aerodrome Manual" (PDF). Royal Air Force. Military Aviation Authority. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ a b c "Bomber Command – Coningsby". Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary. 6 April 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d Marriott 1997, p. 76.
- ^ a b Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Wartime Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2, page 64
- ^ a b c "History – WWII to Phantoms". RAF Coningsby. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Wartime Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2. Page ?
- ISBN 978-1861514783.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Wartime Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2. Page 67.
- ISBN 978-1-906537-19-7.
- ^ "DEFENCE (Hansard, 4 March 1968)". api.parliament.uk.
- ^ Wood 1975, p. 224.
- ^ "F.111 Aircraft (Hansard, 13 December 1965)". api.parliament.uk.
- ^ Darling, p. 91
- ^ "56 Squadron History". 56 Squadron – Home of the Firebirds. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
- ^ "The Queen Leaves For Raf Coningsby". Shutterstock. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ a b Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Wartime Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2. Page 221.
- ^ Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Wartime Military Airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands v. 2. Page 222.
- ^ "History". Tornado Data. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "RAF Woodhall Spa, Tattershall Thorpe (1432038)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ^ "Thorpe Camp". Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ^ a b "SEPECAT Jaguar – History". Thunder and Lightnings. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Dennis, Andrew (20 February 2019). "Jaguar: The Accidental Cold War Warrior". Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "The End of Jaguar Operations, RAF Coningsby". Target Aviation Photography. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "2003 – 2007". 6 Squadron Association. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "BAE Systems bids farewell to 17(R) Sqn as they head for new home at RAF Coningsby". BAE Systems plc. 1 April 2005. Archived from the original on 11 March 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2006.
- ^ "Typhoon Goes Operational". Ministry of Defence. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ RAF Coningsby squadrons retrieved 29 December 2008
- ^ "Joint UK-Qatari Typhoon squadron stands up as defence relationship deepens". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby Twinned with German Eurofighter Wing". Royal Air Force. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- ^ "About us". RAF Coningsby. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby – The Station". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ "Eurofighter contract secures jobs". BBC. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Station Commander Handover". Royal Air Force. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "RAF Regiment Association Official Site". Rafregt.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
- ^ "Further Military Appointments for Members of the Royal Family". The Royal Family. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "No 1 Group". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby: At the Cutting Edge of the Typhoon Force". Forces.net. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "41 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "Eurofighter Typhoon enhancement programme: our crucial role". Qinetiq. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
- ^ Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre
- ^ "Prince William takes to skies at Battle of Britain memorial". BBC. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ "Force Protection". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ "4 RAF Police (Typhoon) Squadron". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Air Land Integration (ALI) Cell" (PDF). One to One - the RAF Coningsby Journal (2): 7. 2018.
- ^ Cotter 2008, p. 33.
- ^ "121 Expeditionary Air Wing Training". Royal Air Force. 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby – Who's Based Here". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "An introduction to...20 Works Group Royal Engineers" (PDF). Wittering View. Lance Publishing Ltd.: 18 Spring 2015.
- ^ "FOI(A) regarding current RAF 'Forces'" (PDF). What do they know?. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ a b "RAF Coningsby". RAF Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ a b "RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire". Demobbed - Out of Service British Military Aircraft. February 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ "Preserved Aircraft Information". Bomber County Aviation Resource. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ "Collision over Norfolk". Flight International. 106 (3413). IPC Transport Press Ltd: 146. 15 August 1974.
- ^ "RAF Coningsby Welcomes New Station Commander". Forces Network. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ "Group Captain Matt Peterson in command at RAF Coningsby", Horncastle News, 7 May 2020, retrieved 4 October 2020
Bibliography
- Cotter, Jarrod (2008). Royal Air Force celebrating 90 years. ISBN 978-0-946219-11-7.
- Darling, Kev (2012). RAF Strike Command, 1968-2007: Aircraft, Men and Action. Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-1848848986.
- ISBN 978-1852604059
- Marriott, Leo (1997). British Military Airfields – Then and Now. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7110-2515-8.
- Wood, Derek (1975). Project Cancelled. London: Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-356-85109-5.
External links
- Official website
- OnetoOne Online – RAF Coningsby station magazine
- RAF Coningsby Defence Aerodrome Manual
- UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Coningsby (EGXC)