RAF Bases
Explore the strategic location of some of the most imortant RAF bases and what they do.
The RAF has over 30 bases globally, all bases are unique and have an important job performed 24/7 all year. The bases are crucial to protecting the UK's airspace.
RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire was the world’s first Air Academy and today, it continues to select and train the next generation of RAF officers. Additionally, it is home to RAF Recruitment, RAF Air Cadets, No 3 and No 6 Flying Training Schools, Central Flying School, Air Warfare School, the Tedder Leadership Academy and Robson Academy and the Band of the RAF College.
RAF Digby in Lincolnshire is a UK Strategic Command Station and home to the Joint Service Signal Unit Digby and Joint CEMA Group Headquarters providing support to Defence..
RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Stations which protect UK airspace. RAF Lossiemouth is the other. RAF Coningsby is home to two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and is the training station for Typhoon pilots. Almost 3,000 Service Personnel, Civil Servants, and contractors work at RAF Coningsby.
RAF Akrotiri is home of the Cyprus Operations Support Unit which provides joint support to British Forces Cyprus and operations in the region to protect the UK's strategic interests. RAF Akrotiri is an extremely busy Permanent Joint Operating Base that supports ongoing operations in the region as well as support for the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus. It is used as a forward mounting base for overseas operations in the Middle East and for fast jet training. RAF Akrotiri’s Griffin helicopters also play an important search and rescue function in collaboration with the Republic of Cyprus Police and National Guard Air Command.