VIDEO: PM David Cameron tribute to armed forces’ bravery during RAF Coningsby visit

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the work of the UK’s armed services as he examined a Spitfire, a Typhoon and other war planes at RAF Coningsby today (July 13).
Prime Minister David Cameron addresses RAF airmen and officers during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102113001Prime Minister David Cameron addresses RAF airmen and officers during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102113001
Prime Minister David Cameron addresses RAF airmen and officers during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102113001

Mr Cameron flew into the drizzly RAF base by helicopter - after stopping off at RAF Waddington - and told officers and airmen it was a fitting time to pay tribute to them following the weekend’s Battle of Britain commemoration.

In a hangar full of vintage and modern aircraft, he told around 100 RAF personnel: “It really does give me huge pleasure to come here today and say a very big thank you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It also gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to the skills, the courage and the bravery and professionalism that you all have.

Prime Minister David Cameron addresses RAF airmen and officers during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102113001Prime Minister David Cameron addresses RAF airmen and officers during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102113001
Prime Minister David Cameron addresses RAF airmen and officers during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102113001

“And it’s a particularly good moment to do that as you all did so much over the weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

“I think the whole country felt a huge sense of pride and ownership when those Spitfires accompanied by the Typhoon, beautifully dressed up in Battle of Britain livery, flew over our capital city.”

The Prime Minister said: “And it’s a reminder of what that was all about.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was all about huge courage and professionalism. It was all about recognising that without strong defences you have nothing as a country.

Prime Minister David Cameron meets Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vamplew (second form left) during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102047001Prime Minister David Cameron meets Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vamplew (second form left) during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102047001
Prime Minister David Cameron meets Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vamplew (second form left) during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 13, 2015. See PA story DEFENCE Cameron. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire EMN-150714-102047001

“And it was all about also recognising that modern technology - in this case the Spitfire - was absolutely key to saving our whole country.”

Mr Cameron was shown the Spitfire and Hurricane, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which were in the giant hangar with the modern Typhoons and a Tornado.

He also toured an E-3D Sentry aircraft and was told about its surveillance and command-and-control functions by the crew.