History:
Taken from the RAF website:
'AF Spadeadam, located in Cumbria, is the only Electronic Warfare Tactics facility in Europe where aircrews can practice manoeuvres and tactics against a variety of threats and targets that they face in contemporary warfare. The facility attracts aircraft from the RAF, Royal Navy, British Army and NATO Forces. The survival of aircrews over Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, and the soldiers on the ground who depend on air support, are affected by the training provided by RAF Spadeadam. RAF Spadeadam is the largest RAF Station (by land area) covering 9600 acres, and run by a small team of RAF personnel, civil servants and contractors (currently Landmarc) working in partnership.'
The visit:
Having strong ties with the Scottish Borders this one had always been on my 'to do' list. I was always put off after hearing stories about this place, namely black Land Rovers intercepting you if you were seen near the airfields and the like. Nevertheless me and a friend decided to visit it, after some close studying of Google Maps I found the best way to enter the site which was along a tree line over a very shallow bog and then through a woodland area which leads directly to the airfield. I don't want to use the word derelict as it appears to be in some use as we found some new and some fired blank rifle bullets, a bullet proof army vest/jacket, face paint and numerous other items. We had no issues once on this part of the site however there is a live army base in the distance, we were careful not to be spotted, I wouldn't recommend venturing further onto the site for obvious reasons. There is some very interesting artifacts like a huge tank, fuel truck, out buildings and a vast array of airplanes. This is a must visit.
On with the photo's....
Taken from the RAF website:
'AF Spadeadam, located in Cumbria, is the only Electronic Warfare Tactics facility in Europe where aircrews can practice manoeuvres and tactics against a variety of threats and targets that they face in contemporary warfare. The facility attracts aircraft from the RAF, Royal Navy, British Army and NATO Forces. The survival of aircrews over Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, and the soldiers on the ground who depend on air support, are affected by the training provided by RAF Spadeadam. RAF Spadeadam is the largest RAF Station (by land area) covering 9600 acres, and run by a small team of RAF personnel, civil servants and contractors (currently Landmarc) working in partnership.'
The visit:
Having strong ties with the Scottish Borders this one had always been on my 'to do' list. I was always put off after hearing stories about this place, namely black Land Rovers intercepting you if you were seen near the airfields and the like. Nevertheless me and a friend decided to visit it, after some close studying of Google Maps I found the best way to enter the site which was along a tree line over a very shallow bog and then through a woodland area which leads directly to the airfield. I don't want to use the word derelict as it appears to be in some use as we found some new and some fired blank rifle bullets, a bullet proof army vest/jacket, face paint and numerous other items. We had no issues once on this part of the site however there is a live army base in the distance, we were careful not to be spotted, I wouldn't recommend venturing further onto the site for obvious reasons. There is some very interesting artifacts like a huge tank, fuel truck, out buildings and a vast array of airplanes. This is a must visit.
On with the photo's....
