RAF Coltishall

The closure of RAF Coltishall was a direct result of a strategic defence review by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD). The primary reason was the planned early retirement of the SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft fleet, which was the last flying unit based at the station. With the withdrawal of the Jaguars from service, the base was deemed surplus to military requirements. This decision was part of a broader post-Cold War consolidation of the defence estate, aimed at reducing costs and creating a more streamlined and efficient military infrastructure.

The site has been completely redeveloped for civilian use and is no longer an active airport. Following its sale by the MoD, the former airbase has been divided into two main parts:

1. **HMP Bure:** A significant portion of the site, including the former married quarters and some technical buildings, was converted into a Category C prison for adult male sex offenders. It opened in November 2009.

2. **Scottow Enterprise Park:** The main airfield, including the runways, hangars, and other technical infrastructure, was purchased by Norfolk County Council. It is now operated as a large business park, housing over 100 businesses in various sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, data storage, and film production. A large solar farm has also been constructed on part of the airfield. The main runway is maintained and available for use by tenants of the park for specific activities, but it is not a licensed, public-use airport.

RAF Coltishall had a long and distinguished history as one of the UK's most important fighter bases for over 65 years.

- **World War II:** Opened in May 1940, it was a key Sector station for No. 12 Group, Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain. It is famous for being the base where legendary pilot Douglas Bader scored his first kills after losing his legs. The station also holds a significant place in Polish history, as it was home to the first Polish fighter squadrons in the RAF (No. 303 and 302). Throughout the war, it operated Hurricanes and Spitfires, defending against German raids and later supporting offensive operations over Europe.

- **Cold War:** After the war, Coltishall transitioned into a premier front-line air defence station, earning the nickname 'The Guardians of the East' due to its strategic location facing the Warsaw Pact. It hosted various jet fighters, including Gloster Javelins and, most notably, the iconic English Electric Lightning interceptors from 1963 to 1974. These aircraft stood on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA), ready to scramble at a moment's notice to intercept Soviet bombers approaching UK airspace.

- **Jaguar Era:** From 1974 until its closure, RAF Coltishall was the main operating base for the SEPECAT Jaguar ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Squadrons based at Coltishall participated in numerous major conflicts and operations, including the Gulf War (1991), peacekeeping in the Balkans (Operation Deny Flight), and the invasion of Iraq (Operation Telic, 2003), cementing its reputation as a vital strike/attack base.

There are no credible or active plans to reopen RAF Coltishall as a public or military airport. The extensive redevelopment of the site, particularly the establishment of a major prison (HMP Bure) and the diverse commercial use of the airfield as Scottow Enterprise Park, makes any prospect of returning it to a fully operational airport logistically complex and economically unfeasible. The current infrastructure is dedicated to supporting the enterprise park's tenants, and any large-scale aviation use would conflict with the established prison and commercial operations.