RAF Coningsby

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RAF Coningsby
IATA: QCY - ICAO: EGXC
Summary
Airport type		Military
Operator		Royal Air Force
Serves		Coningsby
Elevation AMSL		25 ft (8 m)
Coordinates		53°05′35″N, 000°09′58″W
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
08/26	9,003	2,744	Asphalt

RAF Coningsby (IATA: QCY, ICAO: EGXC), is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.

For many years forming part of the UK air defence system, the station is now the home of No. XVII(R) Squadron - the Operational Evalutional Unit, No. 29(R) Squadron - the Operational Conversion Unit and No. 3(F) Squadron - the first Typhoon Operational Squadron, flying the Eurofighter Typhoon F2 and T1. In addition, No. 6 Squadron's Jaguar GR3As will be based there until 2007.

The station is also home to No. 121 Expeditionary Air Wing

1 History
2 Reference Source
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] History

The base was opened in 1940 as a bomber base. Following World War II the base received Avro Vulcans which were transferred to RAF Cottesmore in 1964. Phantoms arrived in 1966 and stayed until the Tornado F3 squadrons began to form. To accommodate these new aircraft extensive hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) and support facilities were built.

Coningsby was the first airfield to receive the Tornado ADV and was the first to receive its replacement, the Eurofighter Typhoon. 56 Squadron was based there until March 2003 but has relocated to RAF Leuchars to allow airfield improvements required for the arrival of the Typhoon. 5 Squadron also flew F3s from Coningsby until its disbandment in 2003.

Coningsby is also the home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (since the mid-1970s) and their Visitor Centre. The BBMF operate one of two remaining airworthy Avro Lancaster Bombers in the world besides 5 Spitfire of various types, 2 Hurricanes, a Dakota and 2 Chipmunks.

Also based at Coningsby is the RAF's Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU), a merger of the Strike/Attack OEU (previously at Boscombe Down), the Tornado F.3 OEU (previously at RAF Waddington) and the Air-Guided Weapons OEU (previously at RAF Valley). Today, the unit operates under the shadow squadron numberplate of No.41(R) Sqn. FJWOEU is tasked with operational testing and evaluation of existing and forthcoming aircraft and weapons.

No. 121 Expeditionary Air Wing was formed at Coningsby on 1st April 2006 and encompasses most of the non-formed unit personnel. The EAW does not include any of the flying squadrons. The Station commander is dual-hatted as the Commanding Offficer of the wing.