Over 100 personnel from RAF Waddington and RAF Scampton have today paraded through the City of Lincoln.
Freedom of the city was awarded to RAF Waddington in 1959 and RAF Scampton in 1993 with both Stations proud to have such strong bonds with the City and local community. The event is the first since 2019 due to Covid restrictions and indeed will be Scampton’s last parade prior to its closure at the end of 2022.
"Today is a great honour for RAF Scampton’s personnel to parade through the City of Lincoln celebrating the close ties that we share. This is all the more significant for us today, as it marks the last such occasion before the Station closes at the end of the year. With the Station’s history dating back to 1916, we celebrate those who have served before and who inspire our next generation of Royal Air Force personnel. In our final year, RAF Scampton continues to enjoy its long-standing relationships within our communities. We join together to celebrate the recognition that the City of Lincoln affords us and, as we look to the future we are assured that RAF Scampton’s story will be preserved whilst the Royal Air Force continues to enjoy the closest of bonds with the City of Lincoln."
Wing Commander Atkins
RAF Scampton Station Commander
Being awarded the Freedom of the City is an ancient honour granted to military organisations giving them the right to enter the city “with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed”. The parade featured a flypast from the iconic E-3D Sentry with the Freedom Scrolls originally presented to each Station by the Mayor of Lincoln also on display.
"The City of Lincoln and the Royal Air Force share an incredibly strong bond and we are immensely proud to parade today and further strengthen those ties. For RAF Waddington, being afforded the Freedom of the City in 1959 was a huge honour and we are very thankful to the City of Lincoln and our local communities for their ongoing support. After 3 long years, where we have been unable to honour this tradition due to Covid, today has been an absolute pleasure and a genuine privilege; it is fantastic to see such a great turnout to help mark the occasion."
Group Captain Lorriman-Hughes
RAF Waddington Station Commander
