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.

Air Tattoo 2009 had better luck than 2008 in that fact that the show went ahead on both Saturday and Sunday. The weather was changeable to say the least but it was not enough to dampen the spirits of the 170,000 visitors over the two days.

Aircraft began arriving on the Wednesday when a B-1B Lancer touched and some 300 aircraft followed. This years themes were the NATO 60th Anniversary, Sea Search 09 and Fly Navy 100. The first two themes were well represented but were overshadowed by the Fly Navy 100. A mass flypast of Naval aviation assets from the past and present took to the skys on Saturday and Sunday in what turned out to be an impressive never to be repeated event. A definite highlight of the flying programme.

Other highlights came from the fast jets. The Royal Netherlands orange F-16, three F-18s from Switzerland, Finland and Spain, two Gripens from Hungary and Sweden and of course the RAF Typhoon, but all these were out classed by a RIAT debut from the French AF Rafale. A splendid show especially on Sunday in the wet weather.

Three other impressive displays came from the RAF Kingair B200, the C-27J Spartan and the Royal New Zealnd AFs Boeing 757 all very spectacular given the sizes of the machines and weather conditions

A final note it was good to have Vulcan XH558 back at RIAT after a 20 year absence. It certainly drew the crowds in and the take off on the Sunday was quite special. It was a shame the weather closed in on Sunday but the organisers did manage to get a unique taxi opportunity with the Vulcan and B-52 on the runway together.

In all a good show despite the lack of aircraft from certain NATO members and the weather on the Sunday

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