'Vital' RAF base's £28m upgrade work begins

Work has started on a £28m project to upgrade the airfield at an RAF base in Lincolnshire.

RAF Coningsby is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations, with Typhoon combat aircraft, pilots and support personnel on standby 24 hours a day.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is part of the Ministry of Defence, said the upgrades would support the station's "vital role in defending UK airspace around the clock".

DIO project manager Dan Wilmott described the work as "an important investment in one of the UK's most operationally significant air stations".

The work, which is being carried out by VolkerFitzpatrick, includes upgrading the station's air operating surfaces, like its taxiways and apron areas.

RAF Coningsby's role as a QRA station means its Typhoons must be ready to launch at all times. The UK's only other QRA station is RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

The DIO said this meant construction work had to be carefully planned around the airfield's 24-hour alert commitment.

Wilmott said: "RAF Coningsby's role in defending UK airspace never stops, so delivering these improvements while maintaining the constant readiness of the QRA has required careful planning."

Station commander Gp Capt Andy Hampshire added: "Defence of the nation is the RAF's highest priority.

"QRA is at the very forefront of that task, so it's vitally important that there is no hindrance caused by this refurbishment."

The project is expected to be completed in October, the DIO said.

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