RAF Sealand, Military air base in Flintshire, Wales.
RAF Sealand is a military air station in Flintshire, Wales, with hangars, administrative buildings, and specialized training facilities spread across its grounds. The base includes maintenance workshops, clean rooms, and specialized testing chambers for advanced aircraft systems.
The station was founded in 1916 as RFCS Shotwick and served as a training airfield during World War I. It joined the Royal Air Force in 1924 and later became a major aircraft maintenance and repair facility.
The military installation inspired local musicians when Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released a song called Sealand in 1981. This connection shows how the place became part of the regional music culture.
The facility is located in northeast Wales near the English border and is accessible by public transport or car. Visitors should note that it remains an active military base where access may be restricted to authorized personnel.
The base serves as a global maintenance center for F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, with advanced clean rooms and radar testing facilities. This specialization makes it a hub for cutting-edge aircraft technology in the United Kingdom.
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