THE RED ARROWS

red arrows may move to new airbase

The head of the Royal Air Force has hinted that the Red Arrows may move from their current base at RAF Scampton, with RAF Waddington being given as a possibility for the relocation.  

Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpey said he hoped the elite flyers would remain in Lincolnshire and a decision was expected to be made in 2008.  There has already been some speculation that the Reds may move, as part of an ongoing Ministry of Defence review.  ACM Torpey added that the unit were a, "complex operation to run" because they needed to practice three times a day when preparing for a touring season.  

"What we're doing is looking at the most appropriate base for the Red Arrows. There are a number of options... and Waddington is one of them.  They may move but we haven't decided the best location for them at the moment but they will be staying in Lincolnshire, I would hope."

The move from RAF Scampton to RAF Waddington, if it were to go ahead, would require a relocation of about 10 miles, approximately 30 seconds' flying time for a Red Arrow.

Thursday, 17 January  2008