Heads Up!

[Octane]

Hi all,

Don't really come on here that often but just thought i'd give you a heads up. I was down the 02 end earlier today, parked up my car near the crash gate and walked round to the field at the end of the 02. About 20 mins later i heard loads of sirens and saw raf poilce at the crash gate. I took a walk back to the car to be greeted by 2 police car and 4 officers who proceeded to search me and the car. They said that because of recent protestors attempts to get into the base they are taking things very seriously and that spotters should stick to Viewing area and not go down to the 02 as they will more than likely be called out to check it out. Just thought i'd let you guys know. Things should settle down in a few months but stay clear of there for now.

Regards

Octane

[LincsVRS]

Thanks for the heads up, not surprising given recent events, minority and all that!

[jblcfc]

Hopefully things will have calmed down by airshow time. I usually head down 02 end for arrivals and departures in order to avoid the crowds at the PAVE and end of 20.

[T_J]

Judging by the photographs the protesters sent out the point of entry does look like the area down by the crash gate (02 end). While two stayed by the breach in the chain link four went a wandering.

Six people cut through security fences at RAF Waddington and went onto the site. While four continued to further into the site to try and find out where the drones were operating from, two stayed near the fence to plant a peace garden.

http://vcnv.org/uk-protesters-plant-gar ... drone-base

The images at the following links are taken from inside the perimeter facing out. That small wooden fence runs along the track down by the crash gate at the 02 end.

https://twitter.com/zerohourstogo/media/grid

From

https://twitter.com/zerohourstogo

https://twitter.com/BloggsTom124/media/grid

From

https://twitter.com/bloggstom124

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2013/06/510008.html

[cgull123]

Why wasn't the teacher in school teaching kids instead of committing criminal damage?

[Pen Pusher]

Hopefully things will have calmed down by airshow time.

If anything, security will increase.

Brian

[airfixpilot]

Ok can I ask if the RAF drones are just recon drones, and don't drop anything?, just direct fighters to target?. (re TV Advert). I am NOT into the Why and Were for, but these people have nothing better to do than moan and wave flags on a Monday. Also were is the security at Waddington?, RAF Police?, as they managed to get into the base through a hole in an fence. Maybe the RAF needs OUR (aircraft spotters) help, by letting them know what is happening outside the fence. This is an clear security RISK, and next time it could be someone with intent of terrorist. Oh by the way, yes one was a teacher, was she bunking OFF school and if so why?. If My kids had a day off, school would ring by 10am asking were are they. Maybe the RAF should let the RAF dogs play fetch with them.

[stealth117]

Me and my girlfriend had this problem a month or so ago, we had been to the approach light area at the 02 end and on the way back to the car we were called over by security/RAF police. They said that they had reported our car reg to the police and that they reported us as two suspicious people walking around the airfield. They had a bit of a go at me because my camera on me and they said they couldn't tell from a distance what I was pointing towards the aircraft. This was however after we had an E-3 come in over the top of us for a couple of approaches and then it landed. They couldn't have been too worried about us being there otherwise surely they would have checked us out before the aircraft approached
They also gave me this number for the RAF Police at Waddo (01522727916) and said to phone it before I go down the 02 end next time and let them know what im up to. So it may be worth just ringing to let them know and maybe they wont be bothered as its another pair of eyes to watch out for morons that try and break in

Martin

[LincsVRS]

If the phone number has been given then it sounds like they are trying to be reasonable, although you might get through to someone that tells you you will get shot if you go down there mind you...... We will see

At the end of the day its down to who's property it is, I don't know the answer, as such I will excercise caution and if ever stopped I would volunteer a search so they can reassure themselves (I've got a beard, so as the profile goes it would suggest I am a suicide bomber or a tree hugger so I could see their concern)

They sometimes get stroppy and grumpy about being called down to you, but that's their job and to be honest its good practice for them as they are obviously vulnerable and probably over the years they have been complacent about spotters then all of a sudden a group of "spotters" (for all they know) went and cut a whole in the fence, only at that point was it obvious these were not spotters for, the eyes of RAF Plod. So as many have said, give it a few months and hopefully it will calm. I might try and get the view of Lincs police at some point (yes I'm ex Lincs Plod, just don't know anyone working that area I don't think) and it could be seen as a right of way given the people using the area fequequently for years but its a complicated bit of law.

Regarding the drones, they now fly from Waddington and they have had there first "kill" in Afganistan if reports are true and it does look genuine. So really, they need to be upping the game round RAF Waddington as they should have risk assessed the drones and should have realised they are at more risk if they engage in an action from the base that attracts protestors, its no secret certain groups are not happy about it, and putting issues aside Waddington should realise they are at increased risk by now, especially after the walking protest a while ago and the caravan that's been there. This risk is going to go up as soon as they make their first kill, so the risk went up and they got burned.

Its a shame there were no spotters there to stop the protestors as it might have shown we are "clearly" different people, to be honest if I had seen it I might have sat on them until the police arrived but that's just me. Lol. I would have at least called it in but this all depends on the circumstances of the day, which I don't know, other than it was a little early for spotters.

Hopefully with a bit of give and take by all parties it will all calm down and we will enjoy spotting again without starting world war three!

[LincsVRS]

Oh and if your spotting at RAF Waddington leave the Quran and your bolt cutters at home and take your camera and scanner instead and you will probably be ok, especially if you have a beard like me.

[Octane]

The Police were perfectly reasonable, although a bit chompy at first. I think the main reason they we're suspicious was because i didn't have any gear with me (camera etc) i was just sat on the fence in the field watching and i'm also not sure how they knew my car was there as it was parked out of view. Funny thing is they didn't even notice me sat on the fence until i walked over to the car. I hope it does clear up soon as i prefer to go down that end. I might try giving that number a ring and see what they say.

[LincsVRS]

I would imagine both Lincs & RAF police have been told to patrol down there multiple times a day and perhaps one saw your vehicle and they called mates in. Also there could be more covert methods of observation down there in response to a recent risk assessment it would be more likely although I can't say much about specific opperational maters as I will end up getting a visit.

[Pen Pusher]

...the Quran....

Isn't that a faux meat product?

Brian

[LincsVRS]

Quorn, I would leave that at home with the Quran, if the police find Quorn in your car they will be back thinking your a tree hugger!