A flypast over Pembrokeshire on Friday, May 26 by one of the RAF’s latest aircraft will salute veterans who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the World War II Campaign.
A P8 Poseidon jet from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland will approach from the west and overfly the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre at precisely 10.30am.
In wartime RAF Pembroke Dock became the largest flying boat station in the world, operating the famous Sunderland and other types of flying boat. And Pembrokeshire’s many wartime airfields all had, at some stage, a connection with Coastal Command and the protection of the Atlantic convoys from attacks by German submarines.
The Battle of the Atlantic 80th anniversary is being marked nationally and Wales’ focus is upon Pembrokeshire, which made major contributions to winning the battle.
The Heritage Centre team is working closely with the RAF in Wales Team and there will be a wreath laying ceremony at 11 am in the Centre grounds. The public are welcome to witness this short ceremony but the Centre is not open to visitors on Friday.
The flypast is subject to weather conditions and operational requirements and will be made at a minimum height of 1,500 ft due to restrictions over the Haven area. Good vantage points are near the Cleddau Bridge and on the Barrack Hill and it will also be seen from around the Haven Waterway.