RAF Lyneham (IATA: LYE, ICAO: EGDL) is a Royal Air Force station in Wiltshire, England. It was the home of all the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft of the Royal Air Force before they were relocated to RAF Brize Norton. The station was also home to No. 38 Expeditionary Air Wing.
RAF Lyneham was the Royal Air Force's principal Transport hub, operating the modern C-130J Hercules, and the aging, but very adaptable, C-130K Hercules. The base was designated as a Master Diversion Airfield. It is one of the primary airfields to which aircraft divert in the eventuality of their home bases being closed due to weather, or other unforeseen events (such as aircraft crashes), having occurred.
RAF Lyneham became renowned for being the "gateway" between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan; the base was also where repatriation of British personnel killed in Afghanistan took place. The bodies were transported through the nearby town of Royal Wootton Bassett, with crowds lining the streets to pay tribute to the fallen.
The station is scheduled to close in 2012 with the majority of its personnel and other assets moving to RAF Brize Norton. On 31 May 2011, a parade was held, attended by the Princess Royal, to mark the departure of the squadrons. The final Hercules will leave Lyneham on 1 July 2011. Daily flying operations ceased on 30 September 2011.
Read more about RAF Lyneham: Future Use