However, there is evidence that the area was in use for military practice as far back as Napoleonic times when the River Steeping was navigable and Wainfleet itself was an important harbour.

[7] A USAF Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft crashed on Friday 8 May 1981 at 2.45 pm near Friskney.

[8] 25 year old First Lt Henry Louis Gagne, born on 14 February 1956, died in RAF Nocton Hall several hours later, of Gulfport, Mississippi.

[12] 24 year old Flying Officer John Sewell from St Anthony's Road in Blundellsands was killed.

Access was via a narrow road called Sea Lane via the junction with the A52 at the Barley Mow at Friskney Eaudyke.

The range area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest thanks to the large number of resident and migrating birds found there.