The Station

RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Stations which protect UK airspace. RAF Lossiemouth is the other. 

RAF Coningsby is home to two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and is the training station for Typhoon pilots.

Almost 3,000 Service Personnel, Civil Servants, and contractors work at RAF Coningsby.

Loyalty binds me

Commander

Group Captain Paul O'Grady MA RAF

Group Captain O'Grady took command of RAF Coningsby on 2nd February 2024. Prior to this he held a number of non-flying and flying roles, notably Officer Commanding XI (Fighter) Squadron.

Group Captain O'Grady joined the RAF in April 1996 as a pilot and, in addition to the Typhoon, has flown Tucano, Jaguar, and Hawk aircraft. 

 

History

RAF Coningsby was built just before World War Two and became the home of 617 Squadron, known as the Dambusters, during the second half of the war.

Later, it was the base for the Vulcan bomber.

Key dates

1941   RAF Coningsby opened, serving as an RAF Bomber Command station until the early 1960s.

1960s   Coningsby made a fighter station with the arrival of the Phantom, followed by the Tornado and now the Typhoon.

1976   Coningsby became home to the world-famous RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

 

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