Nonstop flight route between Redstone Arsenal (near Huntsville), Alabama, United States and Lakenheath, England, United Kingdom:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) (HUA), Redstone Arsenal (near Huntsville), Alabama, United States and RAF Lakenheath (LKZ), Lakenheath, England, United Kingdom would travel a Great Circle distance of 4,259 miles (or 6,854 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) and RAF Lakenheath, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) and RAF Lakenheath. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) (HUA):

• The closest airport to Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) (HUA) is Huntsville International Airport (HSV), which is located only 6 miles (9 kilometers) WSW of HUA.
• On April 12, 1956, the city of Huntsville approached the commander of the airfield to talk about a new federal airway.
• Because of Redstone Army Airfield (AAF)'s relatively low elevation of 685 feet, planes can take off or land at Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) (HUA) currently has only 1 runway.
• The furthest airport from Redstone Army Airfield (AAF) (HUA) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,195 miles (18,016 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Facts about RAF Lakenheath (LKZ):

• The furthest airport from RAF Lakenheath (LKZ) is Chatham Islands (CHT), which is located 11,827 miles (19,034 kilometers) away in Waitangi, Chatham Islands, New Zealand.
• On 1 May 1951, Lakenheath was transferred from USAFE to SAC, and placed under the 3909th Air Base Group.
• In addition to supporting three combat-ready squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft, the Liberty Wing houses the 56th Rescue Squadron's HH-60G Combat Search and Rescue helicopters.
• By the time construction ended the war with Germany was over and RAF Lakenheath was put on a care and maintenance status.
• Lakenheath Airfield was used by RAF flying units on detachment late in 1941.
• The closest airport to RAF Lakenheath (LKZ) is RAF Mildenhall (MHZ), which is located only 4 miles (7 kilometers) SW of LKZ.
• In early 1943, three T-2 hangars were erected on the north side of the airfield for glider storage, 40 Horsa Gliders being dispersed at Lakenheath during that year.
• Although an RAF station, it hosts United States Air Force units and personnel.
• Meanwhile on 30 April 1956, two Lockheed U-2s were airlifted to RAF Lakenheath to form CIA Detachment A.