North Weald with air displays becoming a regular feature from 1959. In the late 1950s the Cold War had begun to intensify and so the RAF began to modernise Britain's air defence. Thus, in 1960, the station was equipped with the very latest in British fighter aircraft: the English Electric Lightning. The capabilities of this aeroplane and Wattisham's location near the East Anglian coast proved invaluable in countering the threats faced from the east. The airfield quickly became a preeminent front-line airbase, possibly the most important in the UK. Throughout the Cold War RAF Wattisham operated 'QRA' or Quick Reaction Alert Sheds where live armed jets were on standby at all times. The station also functioned as the site of a major 'Blacktop' diversion runway. 1976–1992 On 25 February 1976, 13 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2s of No. 23(Fighter) Squadron arrived to replace the Lightnings. No. 56(F) Squadron followed on 9 July, arriving with their Phantoms from RAF Coningsby. From Wattisham, the Phantoms continued the role of playing a major part in defending Britain's airspace which largely involved intercepting the Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 Bear aircraft, as part of Quick Reaction Alert (South). Between 4 November and early December 1976, No. 23(F) Squadron deployed to RAF Luqa, Malta, for an Armament Practice Camp (APC). No. 56(F) Squadron deployed for an APC at RAF Luqa between 13 October and November 1977. On 1 June 1979, Wattisham-based Phantom FGR.2 XV424 from No. 56(F) Squadron was used to re-enact the transatlantic flight of Alcock and Brown, crewed by pilot Squadron Leader A. J. N. "Tony" Alcock and navigator Flight Lieutenant W. N. "Norman" Browne. Following the Falklands War, it was decided to base Phantoms on the Falklands Islands. In March 1983, No. 23(F) Squadron relocated from RAF Wattisham to Port Stanley Airport, leaving the Firebirds as the sole based squadron. On 19 October 1984, No. 74(F) Squadron stood-up at RAF Wattisham equipped with the unique McDonnell Douglas F-4J(UK) Phantom. Delivered in three batches, the squadron was brought up to full strength of 15 jets on 5 January 1985. In 1990, the Options for Change defence review laid out the plan to withdraw the Phantoms from RAF service. In January 1991, the Phantom F-4J(UK) was withdrawn from use, with the Tigers converting over to the Phantom FGR.2. The disbandment of No. 228 OCU on 31 January 1991 at RAF Leuchars, saw the reformation of the Phantom