RAF Holbeach Air Weapons Range (AWR)
RAF Holbeach Air Weapons Range (AWR) is a military training facility located near Gedney Drove End, Lincolnshire, on the Wash coastline. It is one of the UK's five active air weapons ranges used for live firing and bombing exercises.
Key Features
Purpose: Provides a controlled environment for military aircraft to practice air-to-ground weaponry.
Aircraft Types: Includes fast jets, helicopters, and occasionally transport aircraft.
Targets: Features eight designated targets for precision training.
Safety Measures: Red warning flags or lights indicate live firing activities, ensuring public safety.
History
RAF Holbeach was established in 1926 as an air gunnery range and was originally associated with RAF Sutton Bridge, later renamed RAF Holbeach Bombing Range in the 1950s.
Now managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Environmental Designations
The range is part of a Ramsar site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Special Protection Area (SPA), highlighting its ecological importance.
Hours of Operation:
Summer activity hours 1 May to 31 August:
Mon 9am to 5pm
Tue 9am to 5pm
Wed 9am to 5pm
Thur 9am to 5pm
Fri 9am to midday
Weekend Closed
Winter activity hours 1 September to 30 April:
Mon 9am to 5pm
Tue 9am to 10pm
Wed 9am to 5pm
Thur 9am to 10pm
Fri 9am to midday
Weekend Closed
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie: 122.750, 279.975
Secondary Frequencie: 341.125
NOTAM (Notice to Airman)
Donna Nook Air Weapons Range (AWR)
RAF Donna Nook, now known as Donna Nook Air Weapons Range (AWR), is a military training facility located on the Lincolnshire coast, near North Somercotes. It is operated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and used for air-to-ground weapons training.
Key Features
Purpose: Provides a controlled environment for military aircraft to practice bombing and strafing runs.
Aircraft Types: RAF Typhoons, F-35s, Chinooks, and U.S. Air Force aircraft such as F-15s and Ospreys.
Targets: Includes multiple designated targets for precision training.
Safety Measures: Red flags or warning lights indicate live firing activities, ensuring public safety.
History
Established in 1926 as an air gunnery range.
Used as a decoy airfield during World War II.
Became an active bombing range in 1976, replacing RAF Theddlethorpe.
Environmental Significance
The range is part of a Ramsar site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
Donna Nook Nature Reserve, managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, is famous for its grey seal colony, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.
Hours of Operation:
Summer activity hours 1 May to 31 August:
Mon 9am to 4.30pm
Tue 9am to 4.30pm
Wed 9am to 4.30pm
Thur 9am to 4.30pm
Fri 9am to 3pm
Weekend Closed
Winter activity hours 1 September to 30 April:
Mon 9am to 10pm
Tue 9am to 4.30pm
Wed 9am to 10pm
Thur 9am to 4.30pm
Fri 9am to 3pm
Weekend Closed
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie: 276.125
Secondary Frequencie: 373.400
NOTAM (Notice to Airman)
RAF Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range (AWR)
RAF Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range (AWR) is a military training facility located near Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, Wales, on the Cefn Sidan Sands. It is one of the UK's five active air weapons ranges, used for air-to-ground weapons training.
Key Features
Purpose: Provides a controlled environment for military aircraft to practice bombing, strafing, and other air-to-ground weaponry techniques.
Aircraft Types: Includes fast jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft.
Targets: Features multiple designated targets for precision training.
Safety Measures: Red flags or warning lights indicate live firing activities, ensuring public safety.
History
Originally established as RAF Pembrey during World War II for anti-submarine operations.
Became an air weapons range in 1964 and is now managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Environmental Significance
The range is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), highlighting its ecological importance.
The surrounding area is known for its stunning natural beauty, including beaches and wildlife habitats.
Hours of Operation:
Summer activity hours (BST):
Day Times
Mon 9am to 5pm
Tue 9am to 5pm
Wed 9am to 5pm
Thur 9am to 5pm
Fri 9am to 2pm
Weekend Closed
Winter activity hours (GMT):
DayTimes
Mon 9am to 4pm
Tue 9am to 4pm
Wed 9am to 4pm
Thur 9am to 4pm
Fri 9am to 2pm
Weekend Closed
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie: 278.475
Secondary Frequencie: 241.550
Tower: 122.750
Range: 315.000
Manorbier Range
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie: 283.725
Secondary Frequencie: 281.375
Tower: 122.750
Aberporth Range
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF] Tower: 120.8333
Primary Frequencie: 339.800
Secondary Frequencie: 232.900
Tower: 122.750
Range Information UHF: 244.575
Range: 118.925, 133.500, 388.4750
Range P: 242.125
Range S: 340.475
Castlemartin Range
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie: 241.8750
Secondary Frequencie: 389.400
Tower Operations: 122.750
RAF Tain Air Weapons Range (AWR)
RAF Tain Air Weapons Range (AWR) is a military training facility located near Tain, Highlands, Scotland, on the Dornoch Firth. It is one of the UK's five active air weapons ranges and plays a crucial role in air-to-ground weapons training for both RAF and NATO forces.
Key Features
Purpose: Provides a controlled environment for military aircraft to practice bombing, strafing, and other air-to-ground weaponry techniques.
Aircraft Types: Includes fast jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft, as well as NATO air forces.
Targets: Features 18 separate targets, including a moving target and a simulated village for Close Air Support (CAS) training.
Safety Measures: Red flags or warning lights indicate live firing activities, ensuring public safety.
History
Originally established as RAF Tain during World War II for anti-submarine operations.
Became an air weapons range in 1954 and is now managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Environmental Significance
The range is part of a National Scenic Area, a Ramsar Site, and a Special Protection Area (SPA), highlighting its ecological importance.
The surrounding area is home to rare orchids and diverse wildlife.
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie: 339.800
Secondary Frequencie: 232.900
Tower: 122.750
RAF Cape Wrath Air Weapons Range (AWR)
Cape Wrath Air Weapons Range (AWR) is a military training facility located in Sutherland, Scotland, near the village of Durness. It is the largest air weapons range in the UK, covering a vast area of rugged terrain and coastline, making it ideal for heavy weapons testing and training exercises.
Key Features
Purpose: Provides a controlled environment for military aircraft to practice air-to-ground weaponry and heavy weapons testing.
Aircraft Types: Includes fast jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters, as well as NATO forces.
Targets: Features multiple designated targets for precision training, including simulated combat scenarios.
Safety Measures: Red flags or warning lights indicate live firing activities, ensuring public safety.
Environmental SignifIcance
The range is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA), highlighting its ecological importance.
The surrounding area is known for its stunning natural beauty, including cliffs, moorlands, and wildlife habitats.
Hours of Operation:
See NOTAM
Frequencies:
Initial Call Frequencie [ICF]:
Primary Frequencie:
Secondary Frequencie:
Tower: 122.750, 279.100
NOTAM (Notice to Airman)