RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, together with RAF Leeming and RAF Leuchars form the backbone of the UK's air defences. From these bases the Royal Air Force's Tornado F3 air superiority fighters operate.
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 Panavia Tornado F3 squadrons began to form. To accommodate these new aircraft extensive hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) and support facilites were built.
Coningsby was the first airfield to receive the Tornado ADV and will be the first to receive its replacement, the Eurofighter Typhoon. RAF No. 56 Squadron was based there until March 2003 but has relocated to Leuchars to allow airfield improvements required for the arrival of the Typhoon. RAF No. 5 Squadron also flew F3s from Coningsby until its disbandment in 2003.
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