RAF Waddington Freedom Parade – picture special

More than 100 personnel from RAF Waddington took park in the annual Freedom Parade last week with a flypast by the Red Arrows based at the station.

RAF Waddington was granted the Freedom of the City in 1959 and is celebration of the strong ties between the RAF and the people of Lincoln.

Organised by City of Lincoln Council in conjunction with the Royal Air Force the event was led by Parade Commander Wing Commander Colin Melvin and included the RAF Pipes and Drums. 

The parade set off from St Martin’s Square, marched under Lincoln’s Stonebow, with bayonets fixed and Colours flying. A formal salute at the War Memorial was followed by the flypast. 

RAF Waddington Station Commander, Group Captain Dutch Holland said: “It is a tremendous honour to exercise the Freedom of the City. Our relationship with Lincoln is deeply valued, and today’s parade is a proud reminder of the strong and enduring bond between the Station and the local community.

“Lincoln and the wider county of Lincolnshire have long been central to the Royal Air Force’s history, and today’s parade reflected that enduring bond between our people, place, and proud heritage.”

Pictures: RAF Waddington