RAF Marham

RAF Marham is a Royal Air Force main operating base located near Marham in Norfolk, England. It was first opened in August 1916 as a military night landing ground, primarily defending Norfolk from Zeppelin raids during the First World War, and also served as a night flying training base before closing in May 1919. The base was reactivated on 1 April 1937 as a heavy bomber unit station within No. 3 Group, RAF Bomber Command, operating Fairey Hendon, Handley Page Harrow, and Vickers Wellington bombers. During World War II, it hosted No. 105 Squadron with De Havilland Mosquitos, became part of the Pathfinder force, and tested the Oboe precision bombing aid. In March 1944, the airfield closed for the construction of new concrete runways, perimeter track, and dispersal areas, becoming one of only two heavy bomber airfields with substantially longer runways than standard layouts.

After World War II, RAF Marham hosted Project 'Ruby' trials with USAAF B-17s and B-29s to test deep penetration bombs. In the 1950s, it was home to English Electric Canberra, Vickers Valiant, and Handley Page Victor aircraft, and was large enough to host USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft on exercises. Between 1980 and 1983, hardened aircraft shelters were constructed for Panavia Tornado GR1s, which arrived in 1982. These shelters were equipped with the US Weapon Storage Security System (WS3) for WE.177 nuclear bombs. Various Tornado squadrons, including No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, No. 27 Squadron, No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, No. IX (B) Squadron, and No. 31 Squadron, were based at Marham, participating in operations such as Operation Ellamy in Libya and Operation Shader against ISIL. The Tornado GR4 fleet was fully retired from service on 1 April 2019.

From 2016 to 2018, Project Anvil invested £250 million in new and upgraded infrastructure for F-35B Lightning operations, including a new Lightning Maintenance and Finish Facility, a squadron building for No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, a Lightning National Operating Centre, and an Integrated Training Centre. Both runways were rebuilt during this period. Since 6 June 2018, RAF Marham has been home to the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning, operated by No. 617 (Dambusters) Squadron and No. 207 Squadron, which reformed on 1 August 2019 as the F-35 operational conversion unit. The Royal Navy's 809 Naval Air Squadron also operates F-35B Lightning aircraft from the base. In September 2020, US Marine Corps F-35Bs from VMFA-211 arrived at Marham to operate alongside the Dambusters for exercises. The Ministry of Defence announced plans in June 2025 to procure twelve F-35A Lightning aircraft, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons, which are expected to be based at RAF Marham and used in a training role as part of No. 207 Squadron. The station is currently under the command of No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support Group) and is the 'parent' RAF station for RAF Holbeach bombing range and RRH Neatishead.