Donna Nook range closed for lack of staff

[Andyph]

From Notam...

EGD307 DONNA NOOK TEMPORARY CLOSURE - DUE TO RANGE STAFF
AVAILABILITY, EGD307 WILL NOT BE ACTIVATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
STATIC AIP TIMINGS. SHOULD CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT OPENING, EGD307
WILL BE ACTIVATED BY NOTAM. THIS NOTAM WILL BE SUPERSEDED BY AIP SUP
045/2025 ON 26 JUNE 2025.

LOWER: Surface, UPPER: 23,000 Feet AMSL
FROM: 02 May 2025 14:15 GMT (15:15 BST) TO: 26 Jun 2025 00:00 GMT (01:00 BST)

[stealth117]

I'm sure the range was shut from Christmas until around the 20th March? There were some odd days had notams for some movements but very little amount overall.
Is it likely that they could close this range just leaving Holbeach the only remaining training range on the east coast? I hope not but it doesn't look good for donna nook. Had some great times here with my dad and brothers over the years and would be a massive shame if it closed permanently.

[Doughnut]

Makes sense to "open" the range with a NOTAM, they can be in place at short notice, day or nights, or for preplanned exercises. Might the staff shortage be due to ordnance clearance teams not being available ? If I remember correctly at low tide ranges are publicly accessible this means they need to be "made safe"

[Snoop 95]

Presumably these ranges are staffed by RAF personnel. If so where are they based? Cranwell, Coningsby, Marham?

[reaper493]

I 'think' the ranges fall into Marham's command, but the staff could live in military or private housing closer to the range.

[Andyph]

Presumably these ranges are staffed by RAF personnel. If so where are they based? Cranwell, Coningsby, Marham?

A mix of RAF (Controllers and management) and SERCO do the ground work
Might as well close the place or put it on permanent "opened by Notam"

[Ghastly Whisper]

Wainfleet started like this before it was closed, lack of staff, nobody in the tower etc etc, lack of use will get the place closed, its not like its used much anyway.

[ranger703]

Presumably these ranges are staffed by RAF personnel. If so where are they based? Cranwell, Coningsby, Marham?

A mix of RAF (Controllers and management) and SERCO do the ground work
Might as well close the place or put it on permanent "opened by Notam"

RAF Air Weapons Range Controllers who are specialised Air Traffic Controllers, provide safe practice at all 4 UK academic Air Weapons Ranges. The RAF AWRCs are supported on all 4 of the academic AWRs by support staff from Landmarc Support Services (NOT Serco). All 4 UK academic Air Weapons Ranges are administered by Defence Infrastructure Organisation who 'provide' safe place. DIO provide a Training Safety Officer or a Training Safety Marshall who acts as Head of Establishment. If a Head of Establishment cannot be provided then the range cannot open regardless of whether or not RAF staff or Landmarc staff are available. The ranges are not owned by the RAF or indeed run by the RAF anymore, the RAF just provides the controllers and specialised safe practise. At all 4 UK Academic AWRs the AWRCs are based at the actual range but supported by a 'parent' RAF unit for their own individual HR and Medical support etc.

[Snoop 95]

Presumably these ranges are staffed by RAF personnel. If so where are they based? Cranwell, Coningsby, Marham?

A mix of RAF (Controllers and management) and SERCO do the ground work
Might as well close the place or put it on permanent "opened by Notam"

RAF Air Weapons Range Controllers who are specialised Air Traffic Controllers, provide safe practice at all 4 UK academic Air Weapons Ranges. The RAF AWRCs are supported on all 4 of the academic AWRs by support staff from Landmarc Support Services (NOT Serco). All 4 UK academic Air Weapons Ranges are administered by Defence Infrastructure Organisation who 'provide' safe place. DIO provide a Training Safety Officer or a Training Safety Marshall who acts as Head of Establishment. If a Head of Establishment cannot be provided then the range cannot open regardless of whether or not RAF staff or Landmarc staff are available. The ranges are not owned by the RAF or indeed run by the RAF anymore, the RAF just provides the controllers and specialised safe practise. At all 4 UK Academic AWRs the AWRCs are based at the actual range but supported by a 'parent' RAF unit for their own individual HR and Medical support etc.

That's a very comprehensive response Ranger and thanks for that. I had a look at who Landmarc are and they are half owned by Amentum, an American company which provides a lot of support roles to US Forces. So given that the USAF use our ranges I would hope that Landmarc will ensure they remain available.

[C24]

It would make economic sense to increase the use of Holbeach. That said, i have to declare an interest in increased traffic.

Of course, DN has a SEAL detachment based there during the late autumn. Gra/ey ones not Navy.