RAF Coningsby

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RAF Coningsby Coningsby is located some 25 miles south east of Lincoln and 15 miles north east of Sleaford. Originally a bomber base during World War II, Coningsby has since been developed into probably the premier fighter station in the RAF. It was the first station to receive the Tornado F2/F3 fighter and has become the first RAF Eurofighter Typhoon base.

The last operational units based here were Nos 29 and 56 (Reserve) Squadrons, both flying the Tornado F3. When 56 left for RAF Leuchars in Scotland in March 2003, the station underwent a series of upgrades to prepare for Typhoon operations. In April 2004, the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJ&WOEU) formed at Coningsby , and is responsible for much of the testing of new weapons and systems for the RAF's fast jet aircraft. In April 2006 it became 41 (Reserve) Squadron and is made up of Harrier GR9, Tornado F3 and Tornado GR4 aircraft.

Although officially part of the FJ&WOEU, No 17 (Reserve) Squadron moved in April 2005 to its new home at Coningsby from the BAE Systems airfield at Warton . 17 Squadron is the first RAF Typhoon squadron and has been heavily involved in clearing the aircraft for RAF Service.

Later in June 2005, the station saw the return of 29 Squadron; albeit this time as a Reserve Squadron with the responsibility of training future Typhoon pilots.

In March 2006 3 Squadron of whom were operating the Harrier at RAF Cottesmore, moved to Coningsby and became 3(F) Squadron, the first Operational Typhoon Squadron.

The following month saw another squadron transferring to Coningsby, although for the wrong reasons. RAF Coltishall in Norfolk was due to close thus meaning the end of the Jaguar Squadrons at Coltishall.

No. 6 Sqn is now flying the remaining Jaguar aircraft at Coningsby until late 2007. However this sad news is highlighted by the return of another well known Squadron. In March 2007, 11[F] Squadron, who were well known for flying Lightnings at RAF Binbrook and Tornado's at RAF Leeming, have now reformed at Coningsby, where they are operating Typhoons.

Its not all fast jet action at Coningsby. The station has for many years been the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) with its Spitfires, Hurricanes, Dakota, Chipmunk and, of course, Lancaster.

 

Current Squadrons

VHF Approach	120.8000	3 [F] Sqn Ops	284.4000
VHF Tower	124.6750	3 [F] Sqn Air to Air	268.7000
Ops	234.6750	3 [F] Sqn Air to Air	253.2250
Director	277.5000	6 Sqn Air to Air	242.2500
Ground	279.0750	6 Sqn Air to Air	338.0750
DATIS	280.3000	6 Sqn Air to Air	362.1750
PAR 1	281.1250	6 Sqn Air to Air	362.4000
Approach	282.7250	6 Sqn Air to Air	379.1000
Tower	340.2500	17 [R] Sqn Air to Air	339.2500
PAR 2	341.2000	29 [R] Sqn Ops	241.3250
Departures	376.3500	29 [R] Sqn Air to Air	269.1500
Tower	408.9250	29 [R] Sqn Air to Air	359.4750
		29 [R] Sqn Air to Air	362.0500
		17 [R] & 41 [R] Sqns Ops	377.5500

Base Callsign	3 [F] Sqn	6 Sqn	17 [R] Sqn	29 [R] Sqn	41 [R] Sqn
CBY**	Chaos	Blackcat	Monkey	Bluster	Acid
	Getsum	Boxer	Typhoon49-56	Fazer	Apollo
	Nightmare	Jag or Jaguar	Zircon	Ocelot	Maximus
	Rampage	Tempest		Relax	Odin
	Zenith	Turbo		Triplex	Rebel
	Typhoon09-22	Venom		Typhoon05	Tonic
				Typhoon29-42	Viking

CBY ** is the official way of denoting the callsign, ie. CBY Typhoon
Contributers : Mark Wood, Garf. Smith

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