RAF Marham

Last updated

RAF Marham
Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
Near King's Lynn, Norfolk in England, UK
RAF MARKS 100 YEARS WITH DAY OF CENTREPIECE CELEBRATIONS MOD 45164374.jpg
A Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning of No. 617 Squadron preparing to take off from RAF Marham, with a Tornado GR4 airborne in the background.
RAF Marham badge.png
Deter
Norfolk UK location map.svg
RAF roundel.svg
RAF Marham
Shown within Norfolk
Coordinates 52°38′54″N000°33′02″E / 52.64833°N 0.55056°E / 52.64833; 0.55056
TypeMain operating base
Area667 hectares (1,650 acres) [1]
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Royal Air Force
Controlled by No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support Group)
Conditionoperational
Website Official website
Site history
Built1916;108 years ago (1916)
In use1916–1919; 1937–present
Garrison information
Current
commander		 Group Captain Leonie Boyd [2]
Occupants No. 207 Squadron
No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron
809 Naval Air Squadron
See Based units section for full list.
Airfield information
Identifiers IATA: KNF, ICAO: EGYM, WMO: 03482
Elevation23.1 metres (76 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
06/242,783 metres (9,131 ft)  asphalt/concrete
01/191,864 metres (6,115 ft) asphalt/concrete
Other airfield facilities3x V/STOL pads
Source: UK Military AIP [3]

Royal Air Force Marham, commonly abbreviated RAF Marham( IATA : KNF, ICAO : EGYM) is a Royal Air Force station and military airbase near the village of Marham in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia.

Contents

It is home to No. 138 Expeditionary Air Wing (138 EAW) and, as such, is one of the RAF's 'main operating bases' (MOB). Since 6 June 2018, it has been home to the fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning operated by No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron. No. 207 Squadron, becoming the second Lightning squadron to be based at RAF Marham when it reformed on 1 August 2019 as the F-35 operational conversion unit (OCU). [4]

History

Beginnings (1916–1919)

Opened in August 1916 close to the former Royal Naval Air Station Narborough, later RAF Narborough, the Marham base was originally a military night landing ground on an 80-acre (320,000-square-metre) site within the boundary of the present day RAF Marham. In 1916, the aerodrome was handed over to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Throughout the First World War, Marham's role was focused on defending Norfolk from Zeppelin raids. No. 51 Squadron became the first RFC unit to be stationed at Marham upon their move in September 1916, flying home defence missions. [5] [6] On the night of 27/28 November 1916, Lt. Gaymer of No. 51 Squadron took off from Marham to intercept Zeppelin L21. However, he crashed his Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b and was killed after making no contact. L21 was later shot down near Lowestoft by Royal Naval Air Service crews. [5]

Outside of home defence, Marham also acted as a training base for night time flying, with this provided by No. 51 Squadron. [5] No. 191 (Night) Training Squadron was formed at Marham on 6 November 1917 to provide training for night time operations, who were based at Marham until moving to Upwood in January 1918. [7] No. 51 Squadron also assisted No. 190 Training Squadron and No. 193 Training Squadron, who were based nearby, throughout late 1917 and 1918. [5] To celebrate the Armistice on 11 November 1918, aircraft from Marham bombed Narborough with bags of flour who in return bombed Marham with bags of soot. [8] No. 51 Squadron departed Marham in May 1919 for Sutton's Farm, with the aerodrome closing shortly after. [5]

Rearmament (1935–1945)

The new concrete runways viewed in 1944. RAF Marham aerial photograph 1944 IWM C 5469.jpg
The new concrete runways viewed in 1944.

In the first half of 1935, work started on a new airfield which became active on 1 April 1937;87 years ago, with a resident heavy bomber unit from within No. 3 Group, RAF Bomber Command. [9]

The first squadron, No. 38, arrived on 5 May 1937 with Fairey Hendon bombers. In June, No. 115 Squadron re-formed at Marham with the Handley Page Harrow, initially sharing No. 38 Squadron's Hendons until Harrow deliveries were completed in August. [9] No. 38 Squadron received Vickers Wellington Mk.I bombers in December 1938, followed in April 1939 by No. 115 Squadron. [10] No. 218 Squadron moved to Marham on 27 Nov 1940, also operating Wellingtons. No. 218 Squadron began conversion to the Short Stirling in December 1941, and used the type on operations from 1942. De Havilland Mosquitos from No. 105 Squadron also arrived in 1941. Marham became part of the Pathfinder force. They also tested and proved the Oboe precision bombing aid. [11]

During March 1944, RAF Marham closed for the construction of new concrete runways, perimeter track, and dispersal areas, marking the end of its wartime operations. The three new runways were of the familiar wartime triangular pattern of class A airfield, but Marham was one of only two sites built as a heavy bomber airfield (the other was nearby RAF Sculthorpe) with the runways substantially longer than the standard layout. [12]

Cold War (1946–1982)

Boeing Washington B1 WF502 of No. 90 Squadron, 1952 (based at Marham between 1950 and 1956). Boeing B-29A Washington B.1 WF502 90 Sqn Hooton 20.09.52 edited-2.jpg
Boeing Washington B1 WF502 of No. 90 Squadron, 1952 (based at Marham between 1950 and 1956).

From 15 March to 31 October 1946, RAF Marham hosted seven B-17 Flying Fortressess and three modified B-29 Super Fortressess of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during Project 'Ruby', which was a series of trials to test the effectiveness of deep penetration bombs such as the Grand Slam and Disney against "massive reinforced concrete targets". [13] [14] [15] Trials began on 25 March, and were undertaken by the USAAF B-29s and modified Lancasters of No. XV Squadron by attacking the Nordsee III U-boat pen at Heligoland and the U-boat assembly plant at Farge, Germany. [16] [17] Project 'Ruby' ended on 31 October after 22 trials had been completed, [13] with results concluding that none of the bombs tested were capable of penetrating massive reinforced concrete. [17] Nine B-29s of the 340th Bombardment Squadron arrived at Marham on 9 June 1947 as part of a 'goodwill' visit to the United Kingdom. [14] Between March 1948 and March 1950, USAF B-29s and B-50s of the 2nd; 22nd; 43rd; 307th and 509th Bombardment Groups spent time based at Marham. [14]

On 22 March 1950, the first four of an eventual 70 Boeing Washington B.1s arrived at Marham. [14] The aircraft were handed over in a ceremony attended by Secretary of State for Air Arthur Henderson, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Bomber Command Air Marshal Hugh Pughe Lloyd, and Major General Leon W. Johnson, Commander of the USAF 3rd Air Division. [18]

In the 1950s, Marham airfield was home to RAF units operating the English Electric Canberra, and later the V-bomber force and tankers: Vickers Valiant and Handley Page Victor. The station is also one of the few large enough for the operation of United States Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, and a number of these aircraft visited on exercises in the 1970s and 1980s. [19]

Tornado GR (1982–2019)

Panavia Tornado GR4 ZD739 taking off from RAF Marham during Operation Ellamy, 2011. Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 from RAF Marham MOD 45152535.jpg
Panavia Tornado GR4 ZD739 taking off from RAF Marham during Operation Ellamy, 2011.

During 1980–83, twenty-four hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) were constructed to house future strike aircraft, which would eventually see the arrival of the Panavia Tornado GR1 in 1982. These shelters were also equipped with the US Weapon Storage Security System (WS3), each able to store four WE.177 nuclear bombs. [20] The first Tornado GR1 to be delivered to Marham was ZA601 on 24 April 1982 from BAe Warton, in preparation for the reformation of No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron which stood up on 1 January 1983. [21] This was shortly followed by No. 27 Squadron which reformed at Marham on 12 August. [22]

No. 57 Squadron disbanded at RAF Marham on 30 June 1986, leaving No. 55 Squadron as the last Victor K2 unit at the base. [23] In March 1987, the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit (TWCU) relocated its Tornados from RAF Honington to Marham for a period of six months while runway repairs were carried out. [21] In March 1988, Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2s of No. 42 Squadron spent a year based at Marham while RAF St. Mawgan had its runway repaired. [21] No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron relocated from RAF Laarbruch, Germany to Marham in December 1991, bringing with it the Tornado GR1A and its 'Tornado Infra-Red Reconnaissance System' (TIRRS). [21] [24] [25]

No. 27 Squadron disbanded in September 1993, with its aircraft and crew transferring to No. 12 (Bomber) Squadron who moved to RAF Lossiemouth in January 1994. [21] No. 55 Squadron, the last of the RAF Victor squadrons, disbanded at Marham in October 1993, with the last Victor to leave departing in November. [21] In December, No. 39 (1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit) Squadron arrived at RAF Marham with its Canberra PR7s and PR9s from RAF Wyton. [26]

Following the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, it was decided to end the Royal Air Force's presence in Germany, [27] No. IX (B) Squadron relocated from RAF Brüggen to RAF Marham on 17 July 2001, followed shortly by No. 31 Squadron on 17 August, who landed their Tornados at Marham at precisely 13:31 hrs BST. [21]

Panavia Tornado GR4s in liveries to mark 100th anniversaries of Nos. IX(B), 12(B), XV(R) and 31 Squadrons as well as 40 years of Tornado, 2015. (Nos. IX(B), 12(B) and 31 were all based at Marham with the Tornado.) Tornado Squadron Anniversaries.jpg
Panavia Tornado GR4s in liveries to mark 100th anniversaries of Nos. IX(B), 12(B), XV(R) and 31 Squadrons as well as 40 years of Tornado, 2015. (Nos. IX(B), 12(B) and 31 were all based at Marham with the Tornado.)

No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron disbanded on 31 July 2006, ending 52 years of Canberra operations at Marham. [26] [28] Following the closure of RAF Coltishall in November 2006, [29] RAF Marham was officially granted the Freedom of the City of Norwich in 2008 and, as such, is allowed to march through the streets of Norwich with 'bayonets fixed'; this is usually carried out on occasions such as the annual Battle of Britain parade held on 12 September every year. [30]

On the night of 19/20 March 2011, No. IX (B) Squadron Tornado GR4s flew a 3,000 miles (2,600 nautical miles ; 4,800 kilometres ) round trip from Marham to carry out Storm Shadow strikes against targets in Libya as part of Operation Ellamy. [31] [32] Following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, No. XIII Squadron was disbanded on 13 May 2011, followed by No. 14 Squadron on 1 June. [33] [34]

On 26 September 2014, Tornado aircraft began airstrikes against ISIL as part of Operation Shader. [35] In 2015, four Tornados (ZA405, ZA456, ZA548, and ZD788) from RAF Marham received special markings to mark the 100th anniversaries of Nos. IX (B), 12 (B) and 31 Squadrons, as well as the 40th anniversary of Tornado service. [36] [37] [38]

As part of the draw-down of the RAF's Tornado GR4 fleet, No. 12 (B) Squadron disbanded on 14 February 2018. Squadron personnel were reassigned to Marham's other Tornado squadrons, No. IX (B) Squadron and No. 31 Squadron. [39]

The last eight deployed Tornado GR4s returned home to RAF Marham from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, on 4 and 5 February 2019. [40] To mark the nearing Tornado retirement, RAF Marham held a series of 'farewell flypasts' across the United Kingdom on 19, 20 and 21 February. [41] On 28 February, nine Tornado GR4s flew from RAF Marham for a diamond nine formation flypast over RAF Cranwell, which was holding a graduation parade, before returning to Marham to carry out several passes over the airbase. [42] RAF Marham saw the final flight of an RAF Tornado (ZA463) on 14 March during the disbandment parade of No. IX (B) Squadron and No. 31 Squadron. [43] [44] The Tornado GR4 was completely retired from service on 1 April 2019, leaving the F-35 Lightning as the sole type based at RAF Marham. [45]

Project Anvil (2016–2018)

Project Anvil was the £250 million programme of investment to provide Marham with new and upgraded infrastructure for F-35B Lightning operations. [46] The enabling works, worth £25 million, were undertaken by Balfour Beatty and Henry Brothers, with work commencing in May 2016. These works involved demolition of hangar no.3 located on the north side of the airfield. The hangar dated from the 1930s, and was last used for Tornado depth engineering. In its place, the new Lightning Maintenance and Finish Facility was completed. [47]

In late 2016, Wates Group was awarded a £27 million contract to construct a new squadron building for No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron in the south west hardened aircraft shelters area. Construction began in March 2017, and was completed in spring 2018. [48]

The Lightning Integrated Training Centre under construction during 2017. Project ANVIL MOD 45163379.jpg
The Lightning Integrated Training Centre under construction during 2017.

The Lightning National Operating Centre (NOC) was constructed on the north-west side of the airfield, near the station golf course. The NOC was designed to accommodate around 125 personnel who form the Lightning Force Headquarters and Logistics Operating Centre. [47] The NOC, the first Project Anvil building to be completed, was opened by the Queen, the station's Honorary Air Commodore, on 2 February 2018. [49] In April 2016, Balfour Beatty were awarded a contract worth £82.5 million to construct a joint Lockheed Martin / BAE Systems Lightning European Maintenance Hub. The hub comprised an Integrated Training Centre (ITC), a Logistics Operations Centre, and a Maintenance and Finishing Facility (M&F) across three separate sites at Marham. [50] The ITC was built on the south side of the airfield, and was designed to provide maintainer training and accommodate the Lightning Full Mission Simulators. [47]

The final construction contracts, worth £135 million, were awarded to Galliford Try and Lagan Construction in June 2017. The work included construction of a new hangar to replace hangar no.1, rebuilding of Marham's runways, installation of vertical landing pads, new taxiways, and refurbishment of 90% of existing taxiways and airfield operating surfaces. [51] Both runways were rebuilt during a three-week period (8–28 September 2017), which saw all flying cease and the laying of more than 18,000 tonnes of new asphalt. [52] [53] The resurfacing works were completed by June 2018. [54] Project Anvil also included construction of servicing platforms and refurbishment of hardened aircraft shelters. Facilities for the operational conversion unit (OCU) were built between the No. 617 Squadron hardened aircraft shelters and the Integrated Training Centre. [47]

F-35B Lightning (2018–)

F-35B Lightning over RAF Marham during July 2016 with the construction site of the Lightning Maintenance and Finish Facility visible below. RAF Leeming Photo Task 2016 MOD 45162426.jpg
F-35B Lightning over RAF Marham during July 2016 with the construction site of the Lightning Maintenance and Finish Facility visible below.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in March 2013 that the entire British fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning aircraft, which would be operated jointly by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, would be based at RAF Marham. [55] The Lightning is a fifth-generation short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) multi-role combat aircraft designed to operate from the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. [56]

The first aircraft arrived at Marham on 6 June 2018, when four F-35Bs of No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, supported by three Voyagers and an Atlas, made an eight-hour transit flight across the Atlantic from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. [57] The RAF announced on 5 July 2017 that No. 207 Squadron will be the operational conversion unit (OCU) for the F-35 Lightning. [58] No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, became the first operational unit on 11 January 2019. [59] Six F-35Bs of No. 207 Squadron arrived at RAF Marham from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on 16 July 2019, before the squadron officially reformed on 1 August 2019. [60] [4]

In late January 2020, F-35Bs from No. 207 Squadron departed for HMS Queen Elizabeth, becoming the first British squadron in a decade to operate jet aircraft from a British aircraft carrier in home waters. [61] On 3 February 2020, Queen Elizabeth II visited personnel at the base and inspected the F-35B aircraft, her first official royal engagement of the new decade. [62]

On 3 September 2020, ten United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35Bs from VMFA-211 arrived at RAF Marham to operate alongside the Dambusters. [63] On 22 September, both squadrons embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth for Exercise Joint Warrior. [64] In late October, both units participated in Exercise Crimson Warrior, the largest UK exercise in over a decade. [65]

A replacement kennel facility for military working dogs was opened at Marham in September 2024. The facility cost £23 million and is separated into three blocks capable of accommodating 48 dogs. It includes exercise areas; a veterinary block with isolation kennels; and facilities for the RAF Police. [66]

Role and operations

Command

Group Captain Phil Marr was appointed as RAF Marham station commander in July 2021. [67] The station is close to the Royal Estate of Sandringham, and Queen Elizabeth II was the station's Honorary Air Commodore. The late Queen made a number of visits to the station, most recently on 3 February 2020. [68] [69] [70] [62] RAF Marham was under the command of No. 1 Group (Air Combat) RAF. [71]

The airfield moved from No. 1 Group (Air Combat) to No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support Group) on 28 April 2023, becoming the lead station for the East Region, the site is also twinned with HMNB Portsmouth. [72]

F-35B Lightning operations

RAF Marham is home to No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, a front line squadron operating the F-35B Lightning, along with No. 207 Squadron; the F-35B operational conversion unit (OCU). [59]

Expeditionary Air Wing

No. 138 Expeditionary Air Wing (No. 138 EAW) was formed at Marham on 1 April 2006 to create and facilitate a structure for a deployable air force. [73]

Supported units

RAF Marham is the 'parent' RAF station for:

Based units

The following notable flying and non-flying units are based at RAF Marham: [74]

Heritage

Station badge and motto

RAF Marhams's badge, awarded in October 1957 when it was home to part of the RAF V-Force, features a blue-coloured bull with its head lowered and facing towards the viewer. The bull, an animal considered to be aggressive to intruders entering its area, represented Marham's nuclear deterrence role. For the same reason, the station's motto is Deter. [76] [77]

Gate guardians

Of the gate guardians at RAF Marham, in March 2020, its Panavia Tornado GR1 ZA407 was removed from the station entrance, to take up a role as fire fighting training aid. [78] It was replaced on the gate by Tornado GR4 ZA614. [79]

Marham has one other preserved aircraft on the station; an English Electric Canberra PR9 XH169, which has been on display within the main technical site since November 2007. [79] Until November 2020, outside the station headquarters building was Handley Page Victor K2 XH673, which was scrapped after failing to find a new owner. [80]

Former squadrons

De Havilland Mosquito B.IVs of No. 105 Squadron at RAF Marham during WWII (based at Marham between 1942 and 1944). Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. CH18013.jpg
De Havilland Mosquito B.IVs of No. 105 Squadron at RAF Marham during WWII (based at Marham between 1942 and 1944).
Panavia Tornado GR1 ZA494 of No. 27 Squadron, 1984 (based at Marham between 1983 and 1993). Panavia Tornado GR1, UK - Air Force AN1297314.jpg
Panavia Tornado GR1 ZA494 of No. 27 Squadron, 1984 (based at Marham between 1983 and 1993).
Handley Page Victor K2 XH672 of No. 55 Squadron at RAF Marham, 1993 (based at Marham between 1966 and 1993). Handley Page HP-80 Victor K2, UK - Air Force AN1926561.jpg
Handley Page Victor K2 XH672 of No. 55 Squadron at RAF Marham, 1993 (based at Marham between 1966 and 1993).
English Electric Canberra PR9 XH131 from No. 39 (1PRU) Squadron, 2006 (based at Marham between 1993 and 2006). English Electric Canberra PR9, UK - Air Force AN1092603.jpg
English Electric Canberra PR9 XH131 from No. 39 (1PRU) Squadron, 2006 (based at Marham between 1993 and 2006).
squadron dates aircraft
No. II (AC) Squadron 1992–2015 Panavia Tornado
No. IX (B) Squadron 2001–2019 Panavia Tornado
No. 12 (B) Squadron 1993–1994
2015–2018		 Panavia Tornado
No. XIII Squadron 1994–2011 Panavia Tornado
No. XV Squadron 1950–1951 Avro Lincoln
No. 27 Squadron 1983–1993 Panavia Tornado
No. 31 Squadron 2001–2019 Panavia Tornado
No. 35 Squadron 1951–1956 Boeing Washington, English Electric Canberra
No. 38 Squadron 1937–1940 Fairey Hendon, Vickers Wellington
No. 39 (1PRU) Squadron 1993–2006 English Electric Canberra [81]
No. 44 Squadron 1946–1951 Avro Lincoln, Boeing Washington
No. 49 Squadron 1961–1965 Vickers Valiant
No. 51 Squadron 1916–1919 Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, RAF B.E.2c, RAF B.E.2d, RAF B.E.12
No. 55 Squadron 1966–1993 Handley Page Victor
No. 57 Squadron 1951–1951 Avro Lincoln, Boeing Washington
No. 57 Squadron 1966–1986 Handley Page Victor
No. 90 Squadron 1950–1956 Avro Lincoln, Boeing Washington, English Electric Canberra
No. 100 Squadron 1976–1982 English Electric Canberra
No. 105 Squadron 1942–1944 de Havilland Mosquito
No. 109 Squadron 1943–1944 de Havilland Mosquito
No. 115 Squadron 1937–1941 Fairey Hendon, Handley Page Harrow, Vickers Wellington
No. 115 Squadron 1950–1957 Avro Lincoln, Boeing Washington, English Electric Canberra
No. 139 Squadron 1942–1943 De Havilland Mosquito
No. 148 Squadron 1956–1965 Vickers Valiant
No. 149 Squadron 1950–1950 Avro Lincoln
No. 191 (Night) Training Squadron 1917–1918 Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, RAF B.E.2d, RAF B.E.2e, Airco DH.6
No. 207 Squadron 1951–1956 Boeing Washington, English Electric Canberra
No. 207 Squadron 1956–1965 Vickers Valiant
No. 214 Squadron 1956–1965 Vickers Valiant
No. 214 Squadron 1966–1977 Handley Page Victor
No. 218 Squadron 1940–1942 Vickers Wellington, Short Stirling
No. 242 Squadron 1959–1964 Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air missile
No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron 1983–1994 Panavia Tornado
No. 231 OCU 1976–1982 English Electric Canberra
No. 232 OCU 1970–1986 Handley Page Victor B(K)1 / K1 / K2

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force</span> Air and space warfare force of the United Kingdom

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the second independent air force in the world after the Finnish Air Force merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has played a significant role in British military history. In particular, during the Second World War, the RAF established air superiority over Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, and led the Allied strategic bombing effort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Lossiemouth</span> Royal Air Force main operating base in Moray, Scotland

Royal Air Force Lossiemouth or more commonly RAF Lossiemouth is a military airfield located on the western edge of the town of Lossiemouth in Moray, north-east Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Coltishall</span> Former RAF station in Norfolk, England

Royal Air Force Coltishall, more commonly known as RAF Coltishall, is a former Royal Air Force station located 10 miles north-north-east of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia, which operated from 1939 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Leeming</span> Royal Air Force base in Yorkshire, England

Royal Air Force Leeming or more simply RAF Leeming is a Royal Air Force station located near Leeming, North Yorkshire, England. It was opened in 1940 and was jointly used by the RAF and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Between 1950 and 1991, it operated mostly as a training base with Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Panavia Tornado F3 fighters based there in the latter stages of the Cold War and into the early 21st century. Since 2006, it has become the home of the deployable RAF communications cadre and the home of No. 135 Expeditionary Air Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 617 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 617 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron, originally based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and currently based at RAF Marham in Norfolk. It is commonly known as "The Dambusters", for its actions during Operation Chastise against German dams during the Second World War. In the early 21st century it operated the Panavia Tornado GR4 in the ground attack and reconnaissance role until being disbanded on 28 March 2014. The Dambusters reformed on 18 April 2018, and was equipped at RAF Marham in June 2018 with the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning, becoming the first squadron to be based in the UK with this advanced STOVL type. The unit is composed of both RAF and Royal Navy personnel, and operates from the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 17 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 17 Squadron, currently No. 17 Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was reformed on 12 April 2013 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, as the Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) for the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Coningsby</span> Royal Air Force main operating base in Lincolnshire, England

Royal Air Force Coningsby or RAF Coningsby, is a Royal Air Force (RAF) station located 13.7 kilometres (8.5 mi) south-west of Horncastle, and 15.8 kilometres (9.8 mi) north-west of Boston, in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. It is a Main Operating Base of the RAF and home to three front-line Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 units, No. 3 Squadron, No. 11 Squadron and No. 12 Squadron. In support of front-line units, No. 29 Squadron is the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit and No. 41 Squadron is the Typhoon Test and Evaluation Squadron. Coningsby is also the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) which operates a variety of historic RAF aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 9 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 9 Squadron is the oldest dedicated Bomber Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Formed in December 1914, it saw service throughout the First World War, including at the Somme and Passchendaele. During the Second World War, No. IX (B) Squadron was one of two Avro Lancaster units specialising in heavy precision bombing and sank the battleship Tirpitz on 12 November 1944 in Operation Catechism. Between 1962 and April 1982, the squadron flew the Avro Vulcan B.2 as part of the V-Force. In June 1982, it became the first front-line squadron in the world to operate the Panavia Tornado GR.1. In May 1998, No. IX (B) Squadron received the RAF's first Tornado GR.4, which it operated until reequipping with the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 at its present home base of RAF Lossiemouth on 1 April 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holbeach Air Weapons Range</span> Military range in Lincolnshire, England

Holbeach Air Weapons Range is a United Kingdom Ministry of Defence academic air weapons range (AWR) situated between Boston and King's Lynn in the civil parish of Gedney on The Wash, in Lincolnshire, eastern England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sculthorpe Training Area</span> Former Royal Air Force station, now military training site in Norfolk, England

Sculthorpe Training Area, previously Royal Air Force Sculthorpe / , is a military training site administered by the Defence Training Estate, part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It is approximately 3 miles west of Fakenham in the county of Norfolk in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 1 Group RAF</span> Royal Air Force operations group

No. 1 Group of the Royal Air Force is one of the two operations groups in RAF Air Command. Today, the group is referred to as the Air Combat Group, as it controls the RAF's combat fast-jet aircraft and has airfields in the UK, as well as RAF Support Unit Goose Bay at CFB Goose Bay in Canada. The group headquarters is located alongside Headquarters Air Command at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The other operational group is No. 2 Group RAF.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force Germany</span> Former military command formation of the British Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force Germany, commonly known as RAF Germany, and abbreviated RAFG, is a former command of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and part of British Forces Germany (BFG). It consisted of units located in Germany, initially in what was known as West Germany as part of the British Air Forces of Occupation (BAFO) following the Second World War, and later as part of the RAF's commitment to the defence of Europe during the Cold War. The commander of RAFG doubled as commander of NATO's Second Allied Tactical Air Force (2ATAF). Its motto was 'Keepers of the Peace'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 207 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 207 Squadron is a historic bomber squadron and, latterly, a communications and flying training squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was announced on 5 July 2017 that No. 207 Squadron will again reform to become the Operational Conversion Unit for the UK F-35B Lightning Force and will return to RAF Marham in Norfolk where it was last based in 1965. No. 207 Squadron arrived at RAF Marham with six F-35Bs on 16 July 2019 before officially standing to on 1 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">809 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

809 Naval Air Squadron, nicknamed the Immortals, is a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the United Kingdom. It was first formed in 1941 and flew in the Soviet Union, the Mediterranean and the Far East during the Second World War. After active service during the Suez Crisis, 809 was disbanded in 1959. Reformed in 1963 to fly Blackburn Buccaneers, the squadron was disbanded briefly in 1965–66, and then again in 1978. A brief period during the Falklands War saw 809 reformed to bring Sea Harrier FRS.1 aircraft south to the UK task group and to fly from HMS Illustrious.

The planning for the future of the Royal Air Force involves supporting ongoing British military operations and the introduction of new aircraft types including unmanned aerial vehicles and the BAE Systems Tempest sixth-generation fighter in the 2030s. Priorities include greater focus on network enabled capability and mixing crewed fighter jets with UAVs and swarming drones. The new initiative will focus on increasing interoperability with members of NATO and becoming carbon net-zero, with strategies such as using sustainable aviation fuels in aircraft.

No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing Royal Air Force is an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is currently based at RAF Akrotiri within the Sovereign Base Area on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and is tasked with conducting operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lightning Force HQ</span> Military unit

The Lightning Force HQ was the organisation controlling the operations of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force. Following on from the principles developed in the operation of the UK's previous STOVL aircraft, the Harrier, the formation is a joint organisation falling under RAF Air Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the Royal Air Force</span>

This is the structure of the Royal Air Force.

References

  1. ↑ "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. 15. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "RAF Marham - Commander". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "RAF Marham (EGYM) Aerodrome Chart" (PDF). AIDU.MoD.uk. UK Military AIP – No. 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit, Royal Air Force. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  4. 1 2 "A small ceremony took place yesterday to mark the standing up of 207 Squadron at RAF Marham". RAF Marham (Facebook). 2 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "World War One". RAFMarham.co.uk. Royal Air Force Marham. Archived from the original on 6 February 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "RAF Marham". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "No 191 Squadron". RAFWweb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Narborough". RAFMarham.co.uk. Royal Air Force Marham. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. 1 2 "New Site". RAFMarham.co.uk. Royal Air Force Marham. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. ↑ Bowyer 1990 , p. 148
  11. ↑ "RAF 100: How Marham has played a key role". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "RAF Marham, Norfolk, 1944". IWM.org.uk. Imperial War Museum . Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  13. 1 2 Howell, Mark (30 December 2009). "Project Ruby - a look at RAF Mildenhall's history". Mildenhall.af.mil. Royal Air Force Mildenhall . Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Project Ruby". RAFMarham.co.uk. RAF Marham. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Bombs versus Concrete". FlightGlobal.com. Flight. 30 May 1946. p. 538. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  16. ↑ "Bombs versus Concrete". FlightGlobal.com. Flight. 30 May 1946. p. 537. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Comparative test of the effectiveness of large bombs against large reinforced concrete structures (Anglo-American bomb tests Project 'Ruby')". DTIC.mil. Eglin Air Force Base, Florida: The Air Proving Ground Command. 31 October 1946. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  18. ↑ Simmons, Graham M. (2012). B-29 Superfortress: Giant Bomber of World War Two and Korea (2nd ed.). Barnsley, England: Pen & Sword Aviation. p. 209. ISBN   978-1848847538.
  19. ↑ "USAF Boeing B-52G 59-2583 at RAF Marham (1970)". AviationPhotoCompany.com. The Aviation Photo Company. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  20. ↑ Norris, Robert S.; Kristensen, Hans M. (November–December 2004). "U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe, 1954–2004" (PDF). TheBulletin.metapress.com. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Tornado Era". RAFMarham.co.uk. RAF Marham. Archived from the original on 6 February 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  22. ↑ "Operations – United Kingdom". Panavia.de. Panavia Aircraft GmbH . Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  23. ↑ "No.57 Squadron". NationalColdWarExhibition.org. RAF Museum . Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  24. ↑ "No.3 Squadron". NationalColdWarExhibition.org. RAF Museum . Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  25. ↑ "Tornado Tactical Air Reconnaissance". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  26. 1 2 "39 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 14 November 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  27. ↑ "RAF ends 56 years in Germany". News.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 15 June 2001. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  28. ↑ "Tanking". RAFMarham.co.uk. RAF Marham. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  29. ↑ "Former RAF Coltishall timeline" (PDF). Heritage.Norfolk.gov.uk. Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  30. ↑ "RAF Marham servicemen celebrate Battle of Britain Week in Norwich". EveningNews24.co.uk. Evening News. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  31. ↑ "Libya update". GOV.uk. Ministry of Defence. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  32. ↑ Cooper, Jonny; Howie, Michael (20 March 2011). "Libya as it happened: March 19". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  33. ↑ "No XIII Squadron Disbandment – RAF Marham". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  34. ↑ "14 Squadron says goodbye with disbandment parade". MoD.uk. Ministry of Defence. 26 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  35. ↑ "RAF Tornado squadron saved from the scrap heap to bomb ISIL". Telegraph.co.uk. Daily Telegraph. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  36. ↑ "Tornados get tail fin makeover". Forces.net. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  37. ↑ "Tornado tails take to the skies". RAF Marham Facebook page. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  38. ↑ Montgomery, Ben (13 September 2015). "RAF special paint schemes 2015". AeroResource.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  39. ↑ "12(B) Squadron bids farewell to the Tornado GR4". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  40. ↑ "Tornado fighter jets return to RAF Marham for retirement". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  41. ↑ "Britain to celebrate iconic Tornado during farewell flypast". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  42. ↑ "East Anglian formation farewell to Royal Air Force icon". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  43. ↑ "Tornado squadrons disbandment parade". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  44. ↑ "The final flypast". RAF Marham (Facebook). 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  45. ↑ "A new era of air capability as the UK bids farewell to Tornado". BAESystems.com. BAE Systems. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  46. ↑ Bishop, Chris (13 July 2017). "Project Anvil brings 1,200 jobs to Norfolk, as RAF Marham upgrade takes off". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press . Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  47. 1 2 3 4 "News from the Lightning Basing Team" (PDF). Marham Matters. MarhamMattersOnline.co.uk: 5. April 2017.
  48. ↑ "Wates' work on next generation aircraft base brings boost to Norfolk economy". Wates.co.uk. Wates. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.[ dead link ]
  49. ↑ "Her Majesty the Queen Visits RAF Marham". RAF-beta-public.org. Royal Air Force. 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  50. ↑ "Balfour Beatty awarded £82.5 million F-35 contract at RAF Marham, Norfolk". BalfourBeatty.com. Balfour Beatty. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  51. ↑ "£135M infrastructure contract marks milestone in UK F35 programme". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  52. ↑ Bishop, Chris (9 October 2017). "Runways ready for F35 Lightning jet at RAF Marham". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  53. ↑ "News from the Lightning Basing Team". Marham Matters: 10–11. October 2017.
  54. ↑ "Ready for F-35s: runway resurfaced at RAF Marham". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support, and Defence Infrastructure Organisation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  55. ↑ "Defence Estate rationalisation update". GOV.uk. Ministry of Defence . Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  56. ↑ "New carrier, new fighters: the F-35B is now aboard Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier". NationalInterest.org. National Interest. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  57. ↑ "Four RAF F-35 fighter jets land in UK". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  58. ↑ "Identity of F-35 Lightning training squadron announced". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  59. 1 2 "UK defence chief: F-35 jets are 'ready for operations'". DefenseNews.com. Defence News. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  60. ↑ "Second Lightning fighter jet squadron arrives in UK". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 17 July 2019.
  61. ↑ "Fighter jets fly from British carrier in home waters for the first time in a decade". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  62. 1 2 "The Queen visits Royal Air Force Marham in Norfolk". Royal.uk. The Royal Family. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  63. ↑ "US F-35 jets arrive at RAF Marham". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  64. ↑ "Lightning jets take off from RAF Marham to join HMS Queen Elizabeth for major exercise". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  65. ↑ "Largest RAF exercise in the UK for many years begins". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  66. ↑ "New home for Military Working Dogs at RAF Marham". GOV.UK. Defence Infrastructure Organisation. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  67. ↑ "New station commander takes the reins at RAF Marham". LynnNews.co.uk. Lynn News. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  68. ↑ "Queen visits RAF Marham". LynnNews.co.uk. Lynn News. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  69. ↑ "The Queen visits RAF Marham, Norfolk, in her role as Honorary Air Commodore". Royal.gov.uk. British Monarchy. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  70. ↑ "Queen cheered on visit to RAF Marham". EDP24.co.uk. Eastern Daily Press. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  71. ↑ "No 1 Group". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  72. ↑ "RAF Marham became the latest Airbase to transition to Number 2 Group". RAF. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  73. ↑ Cotter 2008, p. 33.
  74. ↑ "RAF Marham". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  75. ↑ "An introduction to... 20 Works Group Royal Engineers" (PDF). Wittering View. Lance Publishing Ltd.: 18 Spring 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2017.
  76. ↑ "Marham". RAFHT.co.uk. RAF Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  77. ↑ "RAF Marham history 1954 - 1982". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 7 December 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  78. ↑ "Tornado gate guardian moved from RAF station". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  79. 1 2 "RAF Marham, Norfolk". Demobbed.org.uk. Demobbed - out of service British military aircraft. February 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  80. ↑ "RAF Marham: Victor jet at base entrance to be scrapped". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  81. ↑ Disbanded on 28 July 2006, ending 55 years of RAF Canberra operations.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.