RAF Sentry jet returns home to RAF Waddington for the final time
The iconic planes are being retired after 30 years of continuous service
Last updated 4th Aug 2021
One of the RAF's iconic Sentry jets has returned to RAF Waddington for the final time after serving in the skies over Iraq.
The Boeing E-3D Sentry is instantly recognisable because of the large radar dish on its roof.
Its one of those being retired and replaced later this year, after 30 years of continuous service.
The surveillance aircraft has become a familiar sight in Lincolnshire's skies throughout its career, having first been deployed to RAF Waddington in July 1991.
This Sentry aircraft flew its final operational sortie over Iraq in late July as part of an operation to tackle Islamic State.
The aircraft from No.8 Squadron had been deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since 2015, which provided easy access to the skies over the Middle East.
It was greeted back on the runway in Lincolnshire by representatives from the RAF and NATO, as well as friends and family members of the crew returning from deployment.
Air Commodore Nicholas Hay said:
“Sentry’s return from a hugely successful overseas deployment heralds a fitting end to over 30 years of continuous service in support of NATO, other coalition and national operations.
“Whether operating from their home base at Waddington or airfields from across Europe and the broader Middle East, Sentry has contributed by providing a Recognised Air and Maritime Picture that has enabled others to operate with significant freedom of action against the most hostile of threats.
Describing its most recent missions, the Officer Commanding 8 Sqn, Wing Commander Victoria Williams said:
“The deployment of the Sentry fleet to RAF Akrotiri in support of the maiden operational deployment of the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and operations in the Middle-East has been a resounding success.
"This was the first operational detachment of the fleet since 2016 and involved a Whole Force of RAF, Reservists and contractors to deliver 30 missions in 9 weeks.
“The Sentry was able to provide the recognised air and surface picture to the Carrier Strike Group to facilitate its safe transit from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Suez."
All of the RAF's remaining Sentry aircraft are being retired later this year, to be replaced by Boeing E-7 Wedgetail planes in 2023.