Ministry of Defence Donna Nook Range

Range activities can be observed at a distance locally from the Nature Reserve footpaths however if the red flags are flying ALL access to the Range itself is prohibited during Operations for safety reasons.

The aircraft pictured are from the 48th Fighter Wing USAF stationed at RAF Lakenheath England.

The USAF operate both F15C Eagle and F15E Strike Eagle variants in their role here in UK.

They refuel over the North Sea from tankers based at RAF Mildenhall in England.

Typhoon is a front line defensive and offensive platform used for QRA (quick reaction alert) as well as overseas missions for NATO. Operating mainly from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

They can often be seen locally on the range and refuel over the North Sea from tankers stationed at RAF Brize Norton.

Typhoons during training fly two types of sorties, weapons training including live canon fire and flare dispersal and occasionally the dropping of dummy bombs on the target range.

The other training missions will involve fast low level flying, carried out in Wales, The Lake District and Scottish Ranges.

It's these types of training missions that give the pilots the skills they need in operations both here and abroad to fulfil tactical assignments in line with UK Government Objectives.

The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft with V/STOL capabilities, used for invasive and insertion troop movements and JTAC operations.

It's normally stationed at RAF Mildenhall as part of the Anglo-American alliance. JTAC operations involves the use of troops, fast jets and helicopters, and often happen during the dark hours of night at Donna Nook.

Live tracer from the aircraft can often be seen during clear conditions when operations are underway.

The Chinook is primarily a heavy lift helicopter used for equipment and troop movements. It's often used on JTAC operations with troops and fast jets to fulfil a combined assault role. Chinook operates out of RAF Odiham primarily.

It's commonly endeared as "The Wokker".  See more information HERE

Recently the Chinook was used as a heavy transport platform to deliver substrate contents in order to repair breaches in river defences during flood periods. Without the speed and agility and the professionalism of the Chinook crews the job would have been far more difficult to achieve.