The Royal Air Force Station Fairford, more commonly known as RAF Fairford, is a standby airfield for the United States Air Force. The 420th ABG and the 420th Air Base Squadron are presently responsible for the day to day operations of RAF Fairford, ensuring that it is provided with the resources it needs to meet command standards for mission execution.

RAF Fairford is also home to the largest air show in the world, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), usually held in July. The show has a massive attendence in both crowds and aircraft. It attracts aircraft from air arms around the globe. Whilst the ticket price is high it is well worth every penny, some of which goes to the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

The Tattoo of 2008 is one that will certainly be jotted down in the annals of history: A Hungarian Fulcrum, a pair of P-3s, a trio of Raptors, a quartet of Portuguese Alpha Jets and a show that never happened. For the first time in its 38-year history the Air Tattoo was cancelled, on account of torrential rain in the days prior to the show.

Despite the show being cancelled a trip down to Gloucestershire was well worth while to see the departures. Due to the waterlogged car parks at the eastern end, it was a bit of a walk to the viewing area, my arms were dropping off with the camera equipment and the ladder. The weather was good for the best part of the day but clouded in the late afternoon. Apart from the departing aircraft which took around 6 hours to leave the based US airman were doing a fine line in hot dogs and burgers all with that famous source.

The highlight for me was the departure and return of the F-22 which went to the Farnborough International show for a display. It returned with a F-15E from RAF Lakenheath and then proceeded to do a couple of go-arounds. A mighty impressive machine. Fingers crossed that the USAF will bring them back next year for the full display.

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RAF FAIRFORD BASE MAP

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