Two-Day period of limited night flying at RAF Lakenheath Published Sept. 19, 2018 By Staff Reports 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing will conduct a 48-hour readiness exercise from Oct. 1-3 that will include limited flying at night. During this period, communities in East Anglia and the surrounding regions may see and hear U.S. aircraft taking off, landing and transiting between RAF Lakenheath and training ranges over the North Sea several times between sunset and sunrise. “The Airmen assigned to RAF Lakenheath are prepared to fly in the defense of our nation, the United Kingdom and our shared allies 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Col. William L. Marshall, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “We know the call could come day or night, and training like this helps us maintain our ability to respond under any conditions.” Overland flying will be limited as much as possible between sunset and sunrise. Exercises like this provide both aircrew and support personnel stationed at RAF Lakenheath the experience needed to maintain a ready force capable of ensuring the collective defence of the NATO alliance. “We know how lucky we are to be in this country, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to live and serve alongside the people of East Anglia,” Marshall said. “We recognise these night flights are unusual and will continue to do what we can to minimise the impact of our training programme. Thank you for your understanding and patience while we complete this short period of critical training.” The exercise does not include plans for low-altitude flying in East Anglia or the surrounding regions. All training will be conducted in accordance with Ministry of Defence and U.K. airspace regulations. Please contact the MOD at SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk with any aircraft-related flying concerns.