The Station
RAF Digby in Lincolnshire is a UK Strategic Command Station and home to the Joint Service Signal Unit Digby and Joint CEMA Group Headquarters providing support to Defence.
Icarus reborn
Commander
WING COMMANDER NEIL HALLETT MA BSC RAF
Wing Commander Hallett commissioned as an Intelligence Officer in 2004 and took command of RAF Digby and Joint Service Signals Unit (Digby) in September 2023. Before this, he worked as the Programme Manager for Protector in Air Capability at Air Command.
Throughout his career he's completed command, staff and overseas defence engagement appointments in Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance roles, graduated as a Qualified Weapons Instructor, and completed operational tours in Iraq, wider Middle East, Afghanistan and Libya.
History
Digby was originally called RAF Scopwick and was established in 1918. It has been home to a number of units, including Nos. 2 and 3 Flying Training Schools. Frank Whittle, Guy Gibson and Douglas Bader were all stationed here.
In 1941, the Station welcomed a number of Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, a relationship that endured until the end of WWII. Pilot Officer John Magee RCAF who wrote the famous aviation poem ‘High Flight’ was based here. The role of the Station changed again in 1955 with the arrival of No. 399 Signals Unit. This was later joined by 591 Signals Unit and the Aerial Erectors School.
No. 399 Signals Unit changed its name to the Joint Service Signal Unit in 1998, reflecting its tri-service composition. In 2005 the Unit became the Joint Service Signals Wing (JSSW) Digby. On 1st August 2008 the Unit changed its name back to the Joint Service Signal Unit (D). The Station has a rich RAF heritage with former Station Commanders including ACM Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris, MRAF Lord Tedder and ACM Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory.
Currently, the Station is home to Joint and RAF units, and is commanded by a RAF Wing Commander.
Key dates
1917 The airfield site was already being used by trainee pilots from HMS Daedalus (RAF Cranwell).
1918 Airfield formally purchased.
1924 Wing Commander (later MRAF Lord) Tedder arrived as Station Commander.
1936 Dambuster Guy Gibson learned to fly at the station.
1940 Became an important fighter station during the Battle of Britain.
1941 Pilot John Magee, poet of 'High Flight', was killed while flying from the station.