RAF Leeming
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| RAF Leeming | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: N/A - ICAO: EGXE | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | Royal Air Force | ||
| Serves | Leeming Bar | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 132 ft (40 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 16/34 | 7,520 | 2,292 | Asphalt |
RAF Leeming is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire, England.
It opened in 1940 as a bomber base during World War II. Following the war, it functioned as a training base until 1988 when it reopened as a frontline air defence base armed with Tornado F3s.
Until October 2005, it housed two Tornado squadrons, which were half of the fighter squadrons of the RAF. Only one Tornado squadron remains (No XXV Squadron)) which is also scheduled to disband in 2008. In addition there is a BAe Hawk squadron based at the station which provides an air combat training service. The station houses No. 135 Expeditionary Air Wing
Currently Leeming is one of the two UK air defence bases, the other being RAF Leuchars in Fife, Scotland. RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire will take over from Leeming as England's main air defence base by 2008 when 3 Sqn becomes operational with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The future of RAF Leeming following the disbandment of its remaining Tornado squadron was not clear for a period. Under current plans by the UK Ministry of Defence, Air Combat Service Support units of 2 Group and personnel from RAF Boulmer and elsewhere who were destined to move to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire will now be stationed at Leeming due to problems with accommodation at Scampton. As of 2006 this move is underway.
It is not clear if Leeming, which was substantially rebuilt less than twenty years ago, will continue as a flying base. However the Red Arrows, who are also based at Scampton, will need relocating before the Scampton station is disposed of, likely by the end of the decade, and a move to Leeming is a possibility.
No 135 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) was formed at the station on 1st April 2006 and encompasses most of the non-formed unit personnel. The EAW does not include the flying squadrons or any other formed units, ie TCW. The station commander at RAF Leeming is also the commander of the wing.
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