RAF Spy Base Gets New 9000ft Runway

RAF Waddington's runway has reopened after being rebuilt at a cost of £35 million.

It marks a century of flying at the base which is home to the Royal Air Force's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets.

Surveillance aircraft once again operating from the Lincolnshire base include Sentinel R1's, Sentry E-3D's, Airseeker's, and Shadow R1's, all of which had had to move out during the two year construction process.

Pilots of the RAF's Reaper MQ-9 drones, which operate over Syria and Iraq, were however able to stay in situ due to the remote nature of their work. Hangered in the USA and the Middle East the aircraft are operated by 39 Squadron.

At 9000ft long, 98 years old, and with the last major repairs carried out in the 1990's resurfacing the old runway had not been an option. It's hoped the new strip will last 25 years without any need for further major upgrades.

RAF Waddington has a long and illustrious past, once home to WWII bomber squadrons before becoming home to the Cold War's roaring Vulcan nuclear deterrent. 

In 2015 the decision was made by the MoD to cancel base's annual airshow for good amid security concerns and risks to sensitive operations.

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