News
HRH visits RAF Waddington
23rd January 2007
The Prince of Wales met servicemen and their families when he visited RAF Waddington today.
The Prince, who is Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force (RAF), toured the base and saw the preparations undertaken by service personnel for deployed operations.
The Prince joined the RAF in 1971 and attended the RAF College at Cranwell in Lincolnshire. On 20th August 1971 His Royal Highness graduated from Cranwell and received his wings. He was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal in November 2006.
RAF Waddington, formerly the home of the Vulcan bomber, is the base for four squadrons flying the Nimrod and Sentry aircraft, which carry out electronic reconnaissance and battlefield surveillance.
During his tour of the base, The Prince met RAF support staff, including drivers, engineers and supply personnel.
In recent years personnel from Waddington have been deployed to the Middle East, North America and the Balkans, as well as more recent duties in Afghanistan and Iraq.
His Royal Highness was taken through the stages of training that airmen go through before being deployed overseas and saw displays about the different roles in the RAF.
These included Administration and Welfare Support, Intelligence Support, Deployed Air Traffic Control, Catering Squadron and Engineering and Logistic Support.
Afterwards, The Prince met families of those who have recently served overseas.
The Prince then met personnel who are involved in volunteering projects in Lincolnshire, such as youth activities and young enterprise, helping Lincolnshire Air Ambulance and station fundraising projects.
The Prince spoke with officers about the logistics of war including the maintenance of fuel supplies, clothing and aircraft spares and before leaving, His Royal Highness met veterans and signed the visitors' book.