Anti-drone protesters break into RAF Waddington

[138EAW]

Without giving the numpties to much publicity. Anti-drone protesters broke into RAF Waddington this morning, near the Vulcan from what was said on the scanner. Hope the police slapped them about a bit

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/arr ... z2V9jPWncC

[Macc]

[JJC]

NB

[andrewman]

While they of course have a right to protest, doing things like this is not on at all

[boff180]

And the sad fact is breaking in at this point has exposed a weak point in the perimeter that is also one of the best spots that enthusiasts use.

I wouldn't be surprised if the RAF tighten the perimeter at this point with a higher fence which obviously would be disastrous for us.

Idiots. I really hope they don't cause trouble at the Airshow.

[CH2]

Yep it would be a damn shame if these professional law breakers screwed it up for everyone else with regards to the Airshow. The beefing up of security and the construction of large fences maybe inevitable.

[Stagger2]

Fortunately, for the moderately far thinker (ie:- not MOD Procurement) there is no 'worth' in raising the level of the fence. The weakest point would be the glide-path onto the threshold of r/w 20 where the fence would be dynamically removed by an aircrafts' u/c if it was raised at all !! More likely, I feel, local legislation banning access to the verge along-side the A15. This is well within the remit of the local County Council against the threat of Protesters, but works on other levels I aint gonna spell-out!

[DamienB]

Yes because legislation will stop a protester while a fence won't eh...

[T_J]

tomcatforever wrote

Without giving the numpties to much publicity. Anti-drone protesters broke into RAF Waddington this morning, near the Vulcan from what was said on the scanner.

boff180 wrote

And the sad fact is breaking in at this point has exposed a weak point in the perimeter that is also one of the best spots that enthusiasts use.

Judging by the photographs they sent out the point of entry wasn't the A15 end down by the Vulcan/WAVE area. While two stayed by the breach in the chain link four went a wandering.

Six people cut through security fences at RAF Waddington and went onto the site. While four continued to further into the site to try and find out where the drones were operating from, two stayed near the fence to plant a peace garden.

http://vcnv.org/uk-protesters-plant-gar ... drone-base

It looks like they cut the chain link down by the 02 Harmston end? The images at the following links are taken from inside the perimiter facing out. That small wooden fence runs along the track down by the crash gate at the 02 end. The A15 end chain link is topped by barbed wire rolls.

https://twitter.com/zerohourstogo/media/grid

From

https://twitter.com/zerohourstogo

https://twitter.com/BloggsTom124/media/grid

From

https://twitter.com/bloggstom124

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2013/06/510008.html

[JJC]

NB

[jon93]

So they thought the UAVs were being operated from Waddington, you would have thought they would have done their research first before doing something ludicrous like this. It would also appear that they can't spell peace as they have missed 'e' out on their flag unless it stands for something.

[JJC]

Just what were they going to do if they had found out where the 'drones operated from'?

Aren't the Reapers now being controlled from Waddington, but no unmanned airframes are based out of there?

[jon93]

Just what were they going to do if they had found out where the 'drones operated from'?

Aren't the Reapers now being controlled from Waddington, but no unmanned airframes are based out of there?

I believe they are being controlled from Waddington but they fly out of Creech AFB or Kandahar when on ops do they not. Looking at the quote from the report I am guessing they were looking for the UAVs not some glorified computer and I don't know why people keep calling them drones when they are still flown by a pilot, the term 'drone' implies its a robot like from Terminator or something.

[FarnboroJohn]

Just what were they going to do if they had found out where the 'drones operated from'?

Aren't the Reapers now being controlled from Waddington, but no unmanned airframes are based out of there?

I believe they are being controlled from Waddington but they fly out of Creech AFB or Kandahar when on ops do they not. Looking at the quote from the report I am guessing they were looking for the UAVs not some glorified computer and I don't know why people keep calling them drones when they are still flown by a pilot, the term 'drone' implies its a robot like from Terminator or something.

Meteor target drones were radio-controlled so it is a use of language with a history in UK military service.

I don't want to give the numpties ideas but what do they think a Tomahawk or a Storm Shadow is?

John

[Stagger2]

Fortunately, for the moderately far thinker (ie:- not MOD Procurement) there is no 'worth' in raising the level of the fence. The weakest point would be the glide-path onto the threshold of r/w 20 where the fence would be dynamically removed by an aircrafts' u/c if it was raised at all !! More likely, I feel, local legislation banning access to the verge along-side the A15. This is well within the remit of the local County Council against the threat of Protesters, but works on other levels I aint gonna spell-out!

Yes because legislation will stop a protester while a fence won't eh...

Okay!...I'll spell it out. On the strength of the behaviour of these a**-wipes the local County Council introduce legislation to prevent access to the verge adjacent to the fence. It won't make a jot to the protesters, but you try standing there on Air-day & pow!.."under new anti-terrorism laws" you are 'invited' by the old Bill to do one my Son. Just the mechanism RAF Waddington & Lincolnshire plod have been waiting for to screw-over another great spot. Dare I mention the 'terrible twin' side issues of safety & free-loading?

[craig.mason]

they should have let the RAF police dogs chew on them

[G-CVIX]

they should have let the RAF police dogs chew on them

What a ridiculous reaction. Utterly ridiculous.

They broke the law and will be punished, end of.

[DamienB]

Okay!...I'll spell it out. On the strength of the behaviour of these a**-wipes the local County Council introduce legislation to prevent access to the verge adjacent to the fence. It won't make a jot to the protesters, but you try standing there on Air-day & pow!.."under new anti-terrorism laws" you are 'invited' by the old Bill to do one my Son. Just the mechanism RAF Waddington & Lincolnshire plod have been waiting for to screw-over another great spot. Dare I mention the 'terrible twin' side issues of safety & free-loading?

Yes, I well remember when such legislation was enacted at Brize Norton after protestors scaled the fence and lay down on the runway causing a TriStar to divert.

Oh wait, no such legislation occurred.

Count to 10, breathe, and return to reality old chap.

Legitimate peaceful protest is a part of our democracy, even when it includes trespass. Chill.

[mrlovepantsuk]

They could put 100 foot fences and it wouldn't make any difference as it says they cut the fence didn't it

[T_J]

So they thought the UAVs were being operated from Waddington, you would have thought they would have done their research first before doing something ludicrous like this.

They know that Reapers are not being flown from RAF Waddington. They obviously wanted to try and find the Reaper Ground Control Station and further their knowledge. It is how these groups operate. CAAB (Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases) do the same with research into UK bases hosting US personnel that sometimes involves trespass.

http://www.caab.org.uk/

Keith Hebden, one of those arrested, stated.

"There was no intention for us to stay there," Keith said. "It was inside the grounds. Two of us made the peace garden, and the other four went within the site and had a look around. We never got into the room where the drones are being operated. That would have been really helpful, just to bear witness. To say, 'This is where it happens.'"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2 ... ham-common

The following website is run by one of those arrested - Chris Cole

http://dronewars.net/2013/06/07/drone-b ... g-secrecy/

http://dronewars.net/2013/04/25/breakin ... addington/

http://dronewars.net/

No doubt this group have something planned for Waddington Airshow? If the Reaper unit is planning a ground exhibit/stand no doubt it will be targeted for protest?

The incident at Waddington has had a knock on effect with enthusiasts venturing down the 02 end. Some enthusiasts have been stopped and searched (Person and vehicles).

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/v ... 59&t=81002

[craig.mason]

The mod this year will be stopping and seaching anybody entering this years show anybody who looks suspicios.
i suspect they know who they are and will be prventing them entering the airbase during the show

[Mike]

The mod this year will be stopping and seaching anybody entering this years show anybody who looks suspicios.
i suspect they know who they are and will be prventing them entering the airbase during the show

Wow, Paul Weller will be really busy that weekend if he has to search all those people!

[T_J]

RAF Waddington drone protesters guilty of fence damage

Two priests are among six people who have been found guilty of criminal damage during a protest at an RAF base that is used to operate drone aircraft.

The group, aged from 37 to 66, were accused of damaging a fence at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, on 3 June.

They all pleaded not guilty on the grounds they were preventing greater crime in Afghanistan.

However, they were convicted by Lincoln magistrates, fined £100 and given a six-month conditional discharge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-li ... e-24434487

[JackyRIATWilson]

Woah, that'll teach them...

Disgusting sentence, it was practically a burglary and causing criminal damage. What is also worrying is that they also appear to have had sympathy from the judge!!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... istan.html

Jack.

[vulcan558]

Guess the fine was paid with a whip round of the collection plate on Sunday.