This is still a full time 24 hour station for more info please go to https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-waddington/

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The Station

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RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire is one of the RAF’s busiest Stations as the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and the main operating base for airborne intelligence aircraft and systems.

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Air ISTAR is the RAF’s eyes and ears in the sky and provides British and NATO military commanders with critical information about activity on the ground, in the air, and at sea.

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The Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington provides timely and contextual integrated mission support to front line commanders. 

The Air Battlespace Training Centre also prepares Service Personnel through demanding and immersive training scenarios across land, sea, and air. 

Approximately 3,500 Service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Waddington.

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Key dates

• 1916 - RAF Waddington opened as a Royal Flying Corps training base

• 1982 - The Vulcan XM607 (the Black Buck) made an 8,000 mile round trip refuelling three times from Victor tankers

• 1992 - The E-3D was declared operational and has been involved in every major conflict since

• 2012 - 13 Squadron stood up

• April 2013 - Remotely Piloted Air Systems fleet undertook concurrent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq

• November 2013 - The first RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft was delivered

• May 2021 - Stand up of the ISTAR Air Wing 

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History

RAF Waddington has been almost continuously active since opening as a Royal Flying Corps training base in 1916 teaching hundreds of pilots to fly a wide variety of aircraft. With the run-down of squadrons after the War, the Station was put on a care and maintenance basis in 1920.

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The airfield and the old WW1 buildings came back into use when it reopened as a home for No 503 (County of Lincoln) Special Reserve Squadron in November 1926. This Squadron flew a variety of bomber types at Waddington until 1938.

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In 1935, Waddington was selected for expansion and a new complex of buildings was built on the NW corner of the airfield. This new technical site opened in March 1937, when the airfield operated Hinds, Blenheims, and from the start of the Second World War, Hampdens and eventually Manchesters until December 1941 when the first of the Avro Lancasters entered RAF service with 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron at Waddington. It was with this unit that Squadron Leader John Nettleton earned the Victoria Cross in April 1942 after leading a daylight attack on a German U-boat engine factory in Augsburg.

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Post-war Waddington hosted a variety of Lancaster, and Avro Lincoln squadrons, and a squadron of lend lease Washingtons, before preparations began for the arrival of the Vulcan bomber. In June 1955 two Canberra squadrons arrived and the first Vulcans arrived in May 1957.

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By August 1961, three squadrons of Vulcans formed the Waddington Wing which remained here until March 1984 with the type’s planned retirement being postponed because of the Falklands conflict. RAF Waddington provided the three Vulcans for the Black Buck raids that bombed Argentine positions at Port Stanley airport. With many RAF tankers supporting the airbridge to the Falklands, six Vulcans were hastily modified for air-to-air refuelling duties to support training back in the UK.

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Today, Waddington is one of the RAF’s busiest operational airfields and its squadrons and personnel are involved in supporting operations all around the world. Despite the demanding operational tempo, the Station continues to maintain a high profile and has delivered record-breaking Air Shows until 2014.

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The Station celebrated its centenary in 2016. A series of events marked the occasion, including the unveiling of a sculpture depicting some of the the aircraft from its past. The Station also exercises the Freedom of Lincoln alongside RAF Scampton.

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Low flying

Low flying is an essential skill for aircrew and must be practised in order to fulfil the tasks demanded by current operations.

Complain About Low Flying

Write to Low Flying Complaints and Enquiries unit, RAF Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridge, PE8 6HB.

Or direct your complaint to the Ministry of Defence Low Flying Complaints and Enquires team:

Email: SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk

Phone: 01780 417558

It is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Outside these hours an answerphone service is provided. 

Drone Flying

Operators flying drones near any military airfield must ensure they are aware of the UK policy for their safe operation. The Drone Code forms part of the Civil Aviation Authority's advice and guidance to drone operators.

Night flying

Night flying is a necessary part of operational flying and training.

There is occasional weekend and night flying determined by operational and training requirements.

For announcements and information on night flights, please see our Facebook page.

Viewing area

The viewing area is located off the airfield and there is a car park which is open to the general public for safe aircraft viewing.

Aircraft movements are generally between 8am and 5pm but not restricted to these times.

Defence Aerodrome Manual

The Defence Aerodrome Manual  contains accurate aerodrome data for RAF Waddington.  All airfield users, both military and civilian, are to ensure they are familiar with the relevant sections of the DAM prior to operating at RAF Waddington. 

For further information regarding the DAM and its contents, please contact Air Traffic Control on 01522 727451.

Get updates about flying

For updates about flying times and night flying:

Phone: 01522 727301