Latest news with #F-35Lightning
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
RAF Marham chief welcomes more defence investment
The announcement of more investment in defence has been welcomed by a RAF Station Commander. Group Captain Leonie Boyd took up her role at RAF Marham, Norfolk in September, the first woman and the first engineer to do so. She said the additional £2.2bn in spending, confirmed by the government in the Spring Statement, was "overdue"."There are some areas that have suffered from underinvestment for a long period of time," she added. RAF Marham is the only base in the UK to support F-35 Lightning jets which are taking part in joint NATO exercises ahead of their deployment onto RAF aircraft carriers. Gp Capt Boyd is both the first woman and the first engineer to take up the station commander role at RAF Marham. The base has 3,000 staff and is home to the F-35 Lightning, a fifth generation, multi-role, stealth fighter jet."At the moment we are focused on a deployment in the next few weeks to go onto the carrier," she said."That's taking a lot of effort to make sure our people are trained and prepared, that their families are in the right place and are well supported."We're also part of an annual NATO exercise in the next couple of weeks where we've got Spanish aircraft coming here to Marham and operating here." Gp Capt Boyd said these exercises were routine but had taken on additional importance given the "global context", with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Gp Capt Boyd said she was inspired to join the RAF after watching the movie Top Gun as a child. She said it was a privilege to command "such an amazing base" and thanked the local community for being so supportive of their often noisy neighbours. Reacting to the Spring Statement, she said she was pleased to hear the chancellor talk about the welfare of servicemen and women and the need to improve accommodation. "There are some areas that have suffered from underinvestment for a long period of time. Basics such as heating and hot water, that people should have," she said."It's very much a priority for me to make sure that we are spending our money wisely and getting after the things that matter to our people". The F-35 aircraft and supporting personnel will deploy from RAF Marham in the coming weeks to join the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier as it sails to the Indo/Pacific region for a month's long deployment as part of Operation Highmast. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
RAF base issues night flying warning for Norfolk
The RAF has issued a night flying warning for two nights this week. Aircraft from RAF Marham will be conducting exercises on Wednesday and Thursday night. F-35B Lightning aircraft have been granted permission to continue flying until 10.30pm. A spokesman from RAF Marham said: "As much flying as possible will be conducted over the sea in designated training areas." READ MORE: Stunning photos show the latest transformation of an ever shifting Norfolk landform The night flying is taking place to maximise the dark nights before the clocks go forward at the end of the month. "Residents in close proximity to RAF Marham may notice an increase in aircraft noise during the indicated evenings as aircraft depart and recover to the airfield," he added. Marham is the main base of the RAF and Royal Navy's F-35 Lightning stealth fighter force.
