Stamford College Air and Defence Students Go ‘Behind the Wire’ at RAF Coningsby

Students from the Air and Defence College at Stamford College took a significant step toward their future careers, with an immersive, hands-on visit to RAF Coningsby.

As one of the UK’s two Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations, the base provided students to see the Royal Air Force in action.

The day was structured as a comprehensive ‘round robin’ tour, allowing students to rotate through several key departments and gain a deep understanding of the diverse job roles that keep a frontline fighter station operational.

A major highlight was the visit to 29 Squadron, the Operational Conversion Unit for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Here, students observed the high-intensity environment of a frontline fighter squadron and learned about the immense technical and pilot skills required to maintain the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert capability.

Shifting focus from the air to ground-based protection, the group met with the RAF Regiment. This session provided a deeper understanding of the specialised ground combat and force protection roles that are vital to securing RAF assets worldwide. Students also spent time with the RAF Firefighters, gaining insight into the unique challenges of military fire and rescue, from emergency aircraft response to specialised rescue techniques required on a high-tempo airbase.

The journey through the RAF’s capabilities concluded with a step back in time at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). Getting up close with historic aircraft like the Spitfire and Lancaster allowed students to appreciate the heritage of the Royal Air Force and the engineering evolution that has led to today’s modern fleet.

By meeting serving personnel across these varied departments, Stamford College students left with a clearer vision of their own future career paths. Thank you to all the staff at RAF Coningsby for their incredible support and for dedicating their time to providing our students with such an inspiring and educational experience.