Over the past century there have been huge advances in flight technology, and as well as defending Britain today’s aircraft help to keep the peace in many parts of the world.

The role of the Royal Air Force covers two main areas – air defence (including strike missions) and supporting air operations (including reconnaissance and surveillance).  Within these task areas aircraft and personnel based in Lincolnshire play a key part, and the present day RAF has five main bases in the county:

RAF Coningsby
First opened as a bomber airfield, Coningsby is being developed as the base of the first of the Eurofighter Typhoons – the RAF's latest strike aircraft – and is the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

RAF Cranwell
Originally a Royal Naval Air Service airship base, Cranwell continues in the training role with a range of training aircraft and is the location of the Royal Air Force College and Central Flying School.

RAF Digby
At one time a fighter airfield, Digby is now a communications base.

RAF Scampton
Another airfield first opened in the Great War, Scampton is the home of The Red Arrows aerobatic team.

RAF Waddington
An important airfield site from the early years of the RAF, Waddington operates the Sentry airborne early warning AWACS aircraft together with reconnaissance Nimrods, and radar equipped Sentinels from the end of 2005.

Other RAF operations

The airfield at Barkston Heath hosts the joint service flying school for pilots of the Royal Navy and the Army, and other operational units in the county include the coastal Air Weapons Ranges.

Civil aircraft
The former bomber station of RAF Kirmington in the north of the county is now Humberside international airport, and there are a number of small airfields where light aircraft operate.

Viewing Facilities
A purpose-built viewing area on the adjacent to the main runway at RAF Waddington provides an ideal location to watch visiting military aircraft as well as the Sentries and Nimrods based at Waddington.

Although there are no facilities at RAF Scampton to view The Red Arrows, a small public viewpoint south of Scampton village by the A1500 often gives an opportunity to watch the team practising over the airfield.

The Waddington International Air Show held each summer is the largest of the RAF's air shows. The seven hour flying display has a truly international flavour and the static aircraft display features up to 100 military and civilian aircraft.  Ground displays include Waddington's resident squadrons, aviation museums and major aerospace companies, together with traditional funfair, trade and craft fairs.

(Please note that although the Royal Air Force encourages an active interest in its work, apart from the public area at RAF Waddington there are no viewing facilities adjacent to the airfields and security restrictions may be applied from time to time to meet operational requirements.)

To find out more about the work of today's Royal Air Force follow the links below:

Royal Air Force
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The Red Arrows
RAF Waddington Viewing Enclosure
Waddington International Air Show