The Queen makes visit to RAF Marham

Air February 6, 2018

Her Majesty the Queen has visited RAF Marham in her capacity as Honorary Air Commodore of the Station.

The Queen commenced her visit at the new Lightning Operations Centre where she met with personnel from all across the Station. The Lightning Operations Centre is the first building to have been completed as part of Project Anvil, the project which is delivering all the new infrastructure to support the F35B Lightning aircraft that will arrive in the summer of 2018.

The Lightning Operations Centre will be the Headquarters of the Lightning Force and provide through-life airworthiness management and a global to national interface in support of the UK F35 Lightning Force.

Her Majesty was also introduced to representatives from the Lightning Delivery Team who were responsible for the delivery of the building along with Lockheed Martin and BAe Systems, the main contractors overseeing this project site. Also present were local firm Balfour Beatty who constructed this state of the art facility.

After meeting everyone The Queen was invited to officially open the Lightning Operations Centre with the unveilling of a plaque that had been commissioned by Lockheed Martin.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The Royal opening of this operations hub for the F-35 brings us another step closer to these pioneering jets flying from their UK home later this year, and their take-off from the magnificent aircraft carrier which proudly bears Her Majesty’s name. I’m delighted The Queen has seen what the future holds for the Royal Air Force, particularly as we celebrate a rich 100-year history of brave men and women protecting our skies.”