RAF MARHAM UPDATE   7^th December 2017

Commander Ian  Townsend                  .

The Commander welcomed all in attendance and put the on going work into context.

• The base is busier now than it has been even in the last 10 years
• The Tornado will finish in use March 2019
• The F35 will secure Marham for 30-40 years
• F35 aircraft are owned by the RAF but will be operated jointly with the Royal Navy
• Runway 2 (currently not used and being resurfaced  ) will become operational when work begins on the main runway. As a result circuit patterns will change.
• There are 3 variants of F35 (Lightning).Marham will be using the short take off vertical landing variant. At a later stage they may purchase a different variant.
• 15% of each aircraft is manufactured in Britain.
• The aircraft have phenominal data collection capability and have yet to realise the full potential.
• The New aircraft are due to arrive Summer 2018.
• On site work began in 2016 and will continue until 2020 +.

He concluded by saying that the new aircraft (contrary to The Daily Mail) will not be noisier.

Two of his officers continued the talk.

• The shorter 2^nd runway (North/South) due to be used after April will result in less flying close to Fincham than at present. Narborough residents were assured that the impact on their village will be kept to a minimum.
• It was stated that during daylight aircraft should not overfly the village but at night when flying on instruments it is not always possible as they fly in a more straight line.
• The new aircraft have much more power and therefore will get up to height quicker and be out of the way quicker, but will not be noisier

                                                           Operation Anvil

• Work on the infrastructure cost £550million.
• 90%of the operating surfaces are being refurbished.
• 1200 contractors are on site working for a number of companies who must all liaise.
• 9 different sites are currently being worked on. All this is taking place whilst the base is operational. This is a first.
• The newly constructed entrance on the A1122 will continue to be used by RAF personnel as well as the main gate once the contractors leave.
• Contractors have built their own concrete and asphalt factories on site producing 100 tons of concrete and 120 tons per hour of asphalt.
• The new Lightning Operations Centre is due to be handed over at the end of January.
• Extended training facilities with mission simulators for pilots and maintenance .
• A new fire training centre will be built on part of the golf course and new water storage tanks at strategic points on the base.
• 3 vertical landing pads are being constructed using special concrete.
• There will be a newly constructed security building, a mess facility and gym.
• Hanger 3 has been demolished and rebuilt with 8 maintenance bays and 2 finishing bays.
• The new substation provides a High Voltage Power Upgrade and 10 km of trenching upgrades gas and communications.
• 617 and 207 squadron buildings are taking shape
• By 2023 there is likely to be another operational squadron at Marham.
• Contractors are recycling the old runway crushing the concrete to reuse as hardcore.
• The second runway is mainly concrete and the main runway is asphalt.

The coach tour showed the extent of the work being undertaken and the progress is impressive.

There will be an open event at the Sandringham Centre to inform local villages when the short take off runway is due to be used. Parish Councils will be notified of the date.