The Station

RAF Marham is the home of the F-35 Lightning, a 5th Generation, multi-role, stealth fighter.

The Station is also home to a range of engineering support functions from maintenance to frontline support. Over 3600 Service Personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Marham.

Deter

Commander

Group Captain Leonie Boyd OBE ADC MEng(Hons) MDA CEng MRAeS RAF

Group Captain Boyd took command of RAF Marham on 27 September 2024.

Who's based here

Squadrons

Units

History

RAF Marham was first opened in 1916 to defend Norfolk from raids by the German Zeppelin airships during World War One.

After being mothballed between the wars, Marham re-opened as the RAF began expanding in 1937. By the time war broke out in 1939, it was home to a fleet of Wellington bombers, which flew on some of the first raids of the war.

Twin-engine Mosquitos and Stirling heavy bombers were also based at Marham during the war. Through the 1950s and 1960s, it was home to a succession of flying tanker units, as the RAF pioneered air-to-air refuelling.

During the Falklands conflict, a Vulcan bomber was re-fuelled in-flight on its way to bomb Port Stanley airfield to deny it to the Argentines.

In 1990 the Tornado Squadrons of RAF Marham deployed to the Middle East in what was the start of over 25 years of continuous operations in the region.

In March 2011, Tornado aircraft flew direct from Marham to attack Col Gaddafi's air defences, as the Libyan conflict flared. 

Key dates

1916   Marham opened as a training establishment and night landing ground.

1937   RAF Marham re-opened as a heavy bomber unit.

1957   The Atom Bomb arrived at RAF Marham.

1977   Her Majesty the Queen became the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Marham. 

1982   Victor aircraft from RAF Marham took part in the Operation Black Buck.

1990   Tornado aircraft deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Granby.

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