The Station

RAF Wittering located in Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, is the main operating base and headquarters for the RAF Support Force and is a major Station for flying training.

The Support Force deploys the vital engineering and logistic support needed to sustain RAF operations and exercises around the world, from explosive ordnance disposal to catering, and aircraft repair to ground transport vehicles.

No 16 Squadron is part of No 3 Flying Training School and provide elementary flying training to the next generation of RAF pilots. 

The squadrons of No 6 Flying Training School, teach qualified pilots to become flying instructors, deliver elementary flying training to University Air Squadron students and give Air Cadets their first flying experiences. 

Around 1,400 Service, civilian and contractor personnel work at RAF Wittering, although a large number of the Service personnel can be deployed across the globe at any one time.

Strength is freedom

Connect with RAF Wittering

Commander

Wing Commander Nicola Duncan MA RAF

Wing Commander Duncan joined the Royal Air Force as an airman in 1990 as a Personnel Administrator. She commissioned in 2004 into the Admin (Sec) Branch.  Following a number of UK tours, and a deployment on Op Herrick, Duncan took command of RAF Wittering in January 2023.

Who's based here

Squadrons

UAS Squadrons

Units

Wings

History

Military flying at Wittering began in 1916 when Major Arthur T Harris established No 38 Home Defence Squadron. The station has played a crucial role in major conflicts over the past century, including both World Wars and modern operations.

During World War One, Wittering served as a pilot training facility and prisoner of war camp, officially becoming Royal Air Force Wittering in 1918. In World War Two, its aircraft participated in the Battle of Britain.

The 1950s marked Wittering's entry into the jet age, with the arrival of English Electric Canberras and Valiant bombers. Wittering's Valiants participated in Operation Grapple, Britain's nuclear weapons tests in 1957-58. All three V-Force bombers—Valiant, Victor, and Vulcan—operated from the base during the 1950s and 1960s.

The arrival of Harriers in 1969 began a 40-year association, with the aircraft serving in the Falklands, Balkans, Gulf War II, and Afghanistan. In 2006, Wittering became the RAF Expeditionary Logistics Hub with the establishment of No 85 EL Wing.

Though the airfield fell silent with the Harriers' retirement in 2010, it was reactivated in 2014. Today, it serves as RAF Support Force headquarters while providing elementary flying training for future RAF pilots.

Key dates

1918   Formally named RAF Wittering.

1955 to 1968   V-Force bombers (the Valiant, Victor and Vulcan) flew from RAF Wittering.

1969   Harriers arrived and remained until 2010.

2014   The airfield was reactivated and flying squadrons returned in early 2015 to train the next generation of RAF pilots.