The range, as well as a now defunct airfield and radar station, were previously operated by the Royal Air Force and known as RAF Donna Nook.

Donna Nook has been in continual military use since the First World War and was established as a protection point from Zeppelin airships trying to enter the Humber area.

[2] However, during the Second World War, RAF Donna Nook referred to a Chain Home Extremely Low (CHEL) radar station, sited a short distance away from the current establishment.

[8] On Friday 9 January 1981 at 1.35pm, whilst practising strafing runs at Donna Nook, a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Woodbridge, crashed into the North Sea.

[16] It is the only national nature reserve in the UK on MOD land, and was opened on 18 July 2002 by Air Commodore Nigel Williams.