RAF STATIONS
Situated in the Outer Hebrides on the island of Benbecula, the unit's radar
provides long-range coverage of the North Atlantic approaches to Scotland. This
data is fed into the Integrated Command and Control System within the UK.
Boulmer was originally an Operational Training Unit when it opened in 1943.
Today it is home to the School of Fighter Control and is one of the Control
and Reporting Centres in the UK ASACS. The station is also home to Headquarters
and "A" Flight of 202 Squadron with 2 Sea King HAR3s providing Search
and Rescue and Mountain Rescue cover to the Borders.
Originally opened in 1952 as an Air Defence Radar Unit, the site is home to
a Control and Reporting Centre. CRC Buchan coordinates all aspects of air defence
in its Area of Responsibility within the United Kingdom's Air Policing Area.
Routinely working closely with similar units in Scandanavia, NATO navies and
Airborne Warning and Control aircraft, the CRC provides an accurate Recognised
Air Picture and Weapons Control Capability. RAF Buchan also parents Remote Radar
Heads Saxa Vord and Benbecula.
Situated in Norfolk, Neatishead is the Control and Reporting Centre responsible
for the Southern UK Air Defence Region. CRC Neatishead works closely with the
Dutch, German and French CRCs, and like CRC Buchan, is involved in several NATO
training exercises each year.
The Saxa Vord site in the Shetland Islands has had a radar since 1957, which
gives early warning of any aircraft approaching from the North. This data is
fed into the Integrated Command and Control System within the UK.
RAF St Mawgan is parent unit to CRP Portreath on the North Cornish coast.
Situated in North Yorkshire, Staxton Wold is a CRP in the UK ASACS. The site
has been used for early warning since the 3rd Century AD, when a beacon was
set in place by the Romans. In 1937, Staxton Wold was chosen as one of the 16
radar sites forming the Chain Home System, becoming fully operational in April
1939. The station played an integral part in destroying many enemy aircraft.
Today, it is the only one of the original 16 sites still operating, thus laying
claim to be the world's oldest operational radar site.
RAF High Wycombe Headquarters Strike Command
Reorganised on 1 April 2000 as a result of fundamental changes in the UK's strategic
and military posture, Strike Command's ability to react to crises and undertake
expeditionary operations has been greatly enhanced with the establishment of
the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and other Tri-Service organisations such as Joint
Helicopter Command and Joint Force Harrier.
The new look Strike Command continues to be based on 3 Groups but these have been organised around operational capability and collocated at High Wycombe to streamline command and control as well as generate better links between force elements with a similar role. No 11/18 Group, formed from No 11 Group - of Battle of Britain fame - and No 18 Group - famous for its maritime heritage - was disbanded, along with No 38 Group which operated the Hercules, VC 10 and Tristar aircraft. The three 'new' Groups are:
No 1 Group, responsible for all strike attack and offensive support aircraft, remains and now bolstered by the inclusion of Tornado F3 units from No 11/18 Group. With the exception of the Harrier, the reformed No 1 Group will operate all the RAF's frontline aircraft including, in the future, Eurofighter.
No 2 Group operates all the aircraft and force elements that support frontline operations. These will include the air transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft formerly in No 38 Group and the Nimrod R and Sentry aircraft from No 11/18 Group as well as the RAF Regiment and Ground Based Air Defence systems. The Group will also be responsible, in the future, for ASTOR.
No 3 Group which, last saw service operating V-Bombers in the 1960s, is now
the home of the new Joint Force Harrier. The Group also includes Nimrod maritime
patrol aircraft, Search and Rescue helicopters and the RAF's Mountain Rescue
Teams. The Harriers and Sea Harriers will eventually be based at RAF Cottesmore
and RAF Wittering as a joint force capable of operating either from land or
the Royal Navy's carriers. Uniquely, the Air Officer Commanding No 3 Group will
be a naval officer - the current incumbant being Rear Admiral Scott Lidbetter.
Other changes in the structure have been made to forge the Command's staffs
into an even more responsive unit capable of delivering of air power anywhere
in the world, but the restructuring has been an important step in the ongoing
process to make best use of available resources to meet Strike Command's mission.
Where savings have been made, Strike Command has re-directed some resources
to capitalise on lessons learned and build new and stronger capabilities within
the Command.
Headquarters Personnel & Training Command
Personnel and Training Command, created on 1 April 1994 as a consequence of
the RAF's restructuring programme, embraces all aspects of recruiting, training,
career management, welfare, conditions of service, resettlement and pensions
for RAF regular and reserve forces world-wide. All RAF policy and implementation
staffs involved in the full span of personnel functions are based at the Command's
headquarters at RAF Innsworth in Gloucester.
Given a budget of £800 million, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief aims to maximise the RAF's front-line capability by providing the right quality and quantity of personnel and training whilst ensuring maximum value for money.
The Command employs 17,000 people, including 4,000 civilians, at more than 30 locations. It is responsible for over 500 training aircraft of which 150 are gliders. Headquarters staff number some 1500, of whom a half are civilian.
The RAF Training Group Defence Agency, an integral part of the Command administered from Innsworth, has earned an international reputation for excellence in professional competence, customer service and cost-effectiveness. The Agency comprises nine RAF stations UK-wide with additional minor units elsewhere. It also has responsibility for administering the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, who have thrilled spectators world-wide for over 30 years.
First opened in 1918 for a year, Aldergrove became a fully operational flying
Station in 1925. Operating as an important Coastal Command Station throughout
World War Two, Aldergrove is now home to a mixed force of helicopters operating
in support of the British Army. 5 Puma HC1s of 72 Squadron and 13 Puma HC1s
of 230 Squadron make up the permanently based force, but there are regular detachments
from other Puma and Chinook Squadrons. No 3 Squadron of the RAF Regiment are
the Field Squadron based at Aldergrove. Two Army Air Corps units are also based
at Aldergrove.
The primary function of RAF Barkston Heath is as a Relief Landing Ground for
the flying training activities at RAF Cranwell. The airfield originally opened
in 1941 and was home to the 61st Troop Carrier Group of the 9th USAAF during
the Second World War. Nowadays, it is a regular home to only one unit, the Joint
Elementary Flying Training School which operates 18 Mk II Firefly two seat trainers.
Opened in 1939 as part of the RAF's expansion programme, Benson was home to
No 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit throughout the Second World War. Post
War, in 1946, the Station became the home of Royal flying, The Queen's Flight
not moving to RAF Northolt until 1995. Currently the 15 Pumas of 33 Squadron,
the Oxford University Air Squadron with Tutor T1s and No 6 Air Experience Flight
are based at Benson. Two RAuxAF/RAF Reserve units are also located here in the
form of the Helicopter Support Squadron and the Mobile Meteorological Unit.
Benson is also the home of the first Merlin HC3s in RAF service. These are operated
by No 28 Squadron.
Home of the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, the RAF presence
at Boscombe Down comprises the Empire Test Pilots School, the Strike/Attack
Operational Evaluation Unit, and the Southampton University Air Squadron.
The largest RAF Station in the UK, Brize Norton is the nerve centre of the RAF's
air transport capabilities. Opened in 1937, the Station was used to train airborne
forces, before being handed over to the USAF in 1950. Strategic Air Command
based B-29 and B-47 bombers at Brize, before the RAF reclaimed the Station for
use as a tanker and transport base. Currently based at Brize Norton are the
11 VC10 C1Ks of 10 Squadron, the 8 VC10 K3 and K4s of 101 Squadron, the 8 Tristar
K1, KC1, C2 and C2As of 216 Squadron, the 4 C-17s of 99 Squadron and No 2624
(County of Oxford) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment Field Squadron and sister
RAuxAF Squadron, No. 4624. Also based at Brize Norton is No 1 Parachute Training
School, which includes the RAF Parachute Display Team, the Falcons. 2001 also
saw the arrival of No 99 Squadron and it's Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport
aircraft.
Originally a civil airfield opened in the 1930s, the RAF took over the site
from May 1940 for use as a Coastal Command Station. Post war the Station was
largely used for training, particularly weapons training as the home of No 2
Tactical Weapons Unit, from 1980 until fixed wing flying ceased in 1994. The
only units now based at Chivenor are "A" Flight of 22 Squadron with
two Sea King HAR3A helicopters for Search and Rescue duties and its HQ Flight,
and No 624 Volunteer Gliding School operating Vigilant T1 motor gliders.
Church Fenton is currently the home of Yorkshire University Air Squadron, flying
Tutor T1s, and serves as a relief landing ground for Tucano T1s from RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
Always a fighter Station, Coltishall opened in May of 1940 and was initially
home to night-fighter, intruder and anti-shipping Squadrons. Coltishall includes
the distinction of being the first RAF Station to operate the English Electric
Lightning all-weather fighter in its long list of achievements and is currently
home to the entire RAF Jaguar fleet of aircraft. Nos 6 and 54 Squadrons operate
in the fighter-bomber role equipped with a total of 22 Jaguar GR3 strike aircraft,
and 2 Jaguar T2A two-seat advanced training and conversion aircraft, whilst
No 41 Squadron with 12 Jaguar GR3s and one T2A specialising in the photographic
reconnaissance role complete the front-line units. Finally, No 16 (Reserve)
Squadron, the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit, moved from Lossiemouth to
Coltishall during the Summer of 2001 with 8 Jaguar GR3s and T2As.
Originally a heavy bomber base as part of No 5 Group Bomber Command, Coningsby
opened in 1940, and maintained its link with the heavy bomber force until 1964
when the Vulcan Squadrons based there moved to Cottesmore. Coningsby became
the first RAF Station to operate the Air Defence Variant of the Tornado, the
major type still based there today. Units based at Coningsby are No 56(Reserve)
Squadron, the Tornado F3 Operational Conversion Unit with 19 Tornado F3s and
the Tornado F3 Operational Evaluation Unit flies 3 Tornado F3s, and the world-famous
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates 5 Spitfires of various Marks, the
only flying Lancaster in Europe, two Hurricanes, a Dakota and two Chipmunks.
At nearby Woodhall Spa is located the RB199 engine repair facility which, as
well as maintaining the engines of Coningsby-based aircraft, also provides units
for the other Tornado F3 units.
Cosford has been involved with the training of RAF ground tradesmen since it
opened in 1938. Units currently based at Cosford are No 1 School of Technical
Training, the Birmingham University Air Squadron operating Tutor T1s, and No
633 Volunteer Gliding School with Vigilant T1s.
A wartime expansion airfield with a very interesting history, Cottesmore has
been used variously as a bomber, training, troop carrier and electronic counter
measures base. In 1976, the Station was upgraded to operate the Interdictor
Strike version of the Tornado in a unique way. For 20 years until April 1999,
the major operational unit based at Cottesmore was the Tri-National Tornado
Training Establishment (TTTE), with Tornado GR1s. TTTE carried out all the conversion
training on the type for the RAF, Italian and German Air Forces. But with the
decision to relocate Tornado training to member nations, the TTTE was disbanded.
Within weeks however, flying returned to the Station when, in preparation for
the station becoming the home to all front-line RAF Harrier squadrons, Nos.
3 and 4 Squadrons moved their 26 Harrier GR7s and T10s from RAF Laarbruch after
it was closed. A few months later, No 1(F) Squadron left nearby Wittering after
31 years for Cottesmore bringing its 12 Harrier GR7s and 1 T10. During 2000
the Royal Navy's Sea Harriers began to move in from Yeovilton making Cottesmore
one of the busiest stations in the RAF. Also based here is the Offensive Support
Squadron manned by members of the RAuxAF.
Originally HMS Daedalus, a Royal Naval Air Service training and airship base,
the site that is now RAF Cranwell was taken over by the RAF in 1918 for officer
cadet training, a role it fulfills to this day at the famous RAF College. Currently
based at Cranwell are No 3 Flying Training School who operate 10 Jetstream T1s
(45(Reserve) Squadron), 8 Dominie T1s (55(Reserve) Squadron) and 16 Tutor T1s
and carry out Basic Flying Training. Also based on the main airfield is the
RAF College Air Squadron with Tutor T1s, and on the Cranwell North grass airfield
is the Cranwell Gliding Club, part of the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association
(RAFGSA). The Air Warfare Centre is based at Cranwell, as is the Aerosystems
Department, a specialist training division. Cranwell also has a satellite airfield,
RAF Barkston Heath.
Opened in 1939 and initially used for training heavy bomber crews, RAF Kinloss
began a long association with Coastal Command with the arrival of 6 OTU training
aircrew on Beaufighters and Mosquitos. Lancasters and Shackletons followed,
before the Nimrod entered service at Kinloss in 1971. Kinloss is now home to
the entire RAF Nimrod MR2 fleet of 21 aircraft, split between Nos 120, 201 and
206 Squadrons. An additional 3 Nimrod MR2s are also based at Kinloss, operated
by No 42 (Reserve) Squadron, the Nimrod Operational Conversion Unit. Two glider
units also operate out of Kinloss, the Fulmar Gliding Club of the RAFGSA and
No 663 Volunteer Gliding School, operating Vigilant T1s.
Although the majority of the airfield at Leconfield is no longer operational,
the base still fulfills an important role as part of the RAF's Search and Rescue
commitments. The 2 Sea King HAR3s of "E" Flight of No 202 Squadron
are based on the airfield and operate over the North Sea.
RAF Leeming began operations as a bomber station in July 1940 operating Whitley,
Sterling, Halifax and Lancaster aircraft during the Second World War. After
the War the Station became a night fighter base, equipped initially with the
Mosquito and then with the Meteor and Javelin before becoming a Training Command
airfield in 1961. The Station was then home to No. 3 Flying Training School,
equipped with the Jet Provost, until the mid-1980s when a major refurbishment
programme began to prepare the Station for Tornado F3 operations.
The Station reopened in 1988 as a Tornado F3 Main Operating Base and today is part of No. 11/18 Group within Strike Command and home to two Tornado F3 Squadrons - No. XI(F) Squadron and No. 25(F) Squadron. The squadrons are part of the UK's air defence fighter force and are declared to both the UK's Joint Rapid Reaction Force and NATO's Immediate Reaction Force (Air). Leeming is also home to two other high-readiness units with both national and NATO commitments - No. 34 Squadron RAF Regiment and No. 2 RAF Tactical Survive To Operate HQ. Also at Leeming is No. 100 Squadron, equipped with Hawk aircraft in the target facilities role along with exercise and training support, and the Joint Forward Air Controllers Training and Standards Unit, which also utilises the Hawk. Other units at Leeming include the Air Defence Support Squadron, an RAuxAF unit, and Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron and No. 11 Air Experience Flight, which are equipped with the Tutor aircraft. Finally, the Station also has a Mountain Rescue Team consisting of 5 permanent staff and about 20 volunteers from around the Station.
Leuchars' association with aviation can be traced back to 1911 when military
balloons were operated at the site. Its long history includes being used as
an RNAS fleet fighter Station, and later as a Coastal Command airfield. After
the Second World War, Leuchars became a Fighter Command Station, and continues
in this role today as one of the RAF's Air Defence bases. The 22 Hardened Aircraft
Shelters (HAS) built at Leuchars currently house the 13 Tornado F3s of 43 Squadron
and the 12 Tornado F3s of 111 Squadron. Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrew's University
Air Squadron operate the Tutor T1 and the airfield is also home to an RAF Mountain
Rescue Unit and the Air Transportable Surgical Unit.
One of the busiest training airfields in the RAF, Linton-on-Ouse has been used
as a Bomber, Transport and Fighter airfield in its long and interesting history
since it opened in 1937. Since 1957 the main role of the Station has been pilot
training, initially with the Jet Provost, but now with the Tucano T1. No 1 Flying
Training School operates no fewer than 78 Tucano T1s at Linton-on-Ouse, providing
basic flying instruction. Also flying at Linton is No 642 Volunteer Gliding
School, equipped with Vigilant T1s.
RAF Lossiemouth was built during 1938 and 1939 and opened on Ma 1, 1939 with
No 15 Flying Training School as the major unit. In April 1940, the station was
handed over to Bomber Command and No 20 Operational Training Unit was formed
together with No 46 Maintenance Unit.
At the end of the World War II hostilities, the station became a satellite of RAF Milltown in Coastal Command before becoming HMS Fulmar of the Royal Navy in 1946, the primary task being Fleet Air Arm operations.
With the impending demise of aircraft carriers, the RAF returned on 28 September 1972 and the station has steadily assumed greater status since then. Aircraft types have included Whirlwind, Jaguar, Shackleton, Sea King, Hunter, Buccaneer and Tornado employed in various roles including search and rescue, airborne early warning, operational conversion unit, tactical weapons unit and maritime strike/attack. Ground-based units have included the air and ground defence, airfield damage repair and airfield support roles.
With it's present Tornado GR4 compliment of 3 operational units - Nos 12, 14 and 617 Squadrons and one operational conversion unit - No XV (Reserve) Squadron, its Sea King HAR 3A helicopter search and rescue unit - 'D' Flight, No 202 Squadron and 2 ground defence units - Nos 51 and 2622 (Highland) Squadrons RAF Regiment, RAF Lossiemouth is one of the foremost stations in the Royal Air Force.
Initially a flying training base, Lyneham quickly became a centre for the role
it is still famous for, Air Transport. The Station became the first RAF airfield
to operate jet transports when the first Comet C2s arrived in 1956. Now the
RAF's major tactical transport Station, the airfield is home to the Hercules
C1/C3 aircraft operated by Nos 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons. The Hercules Operational
Conversion Unit, No 57 (Reserve) Squadron operates 5 Hercules C1/C3s at Lyneham,
which is also home to No 4626 (County of Wiltshire) Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron,
RAuxAF, and the UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron, responsible for establishing
handling facilities at temporary bases. The original Hercules' are now being
replaced by the second-generation C-130J in RAF service. This comes in two versions,
the stretched Hercules C4 and the standard C5 version.
Part of the site now occupied by RAF Marham had originally been RNAS Station
Narborough during the First World War. Developed during the 1930s, Marham has
been used as a heavy bomber and fighter Station, before it became the RAF's
major reconnaissance base in 1993. Currently operating from Marham are No II(AC)
Squadron and No 13 Squadron, both equipped with 12 Tornado GR4s, as well as
No 39 (1 PRU) Squadron, which operates 5 Canberra PR9s and 2 Canberra T4s. No
2620 (County of Norfolk) Squadron, RAuxAF, is also based here.
One of the key airfields in the defence of London during the Battle of Britain,
Northolt became the major airport for London in 1946, until the new site at
Heathrow opened. Transport Command continued using Northolt after this, and
the role of providing VIP air transport is the major task of the airfield today.
The unit based at Northolt responsible for VIP transport is No 32 (Royal) Squadron
which operates 6 BAe125s, 2 BAe146s and 3 Squirrel HCC1s, and incorporates the
aircraft of the former Queen's Flight. Lesser units based at Northolt include
No. 1 (County of Middlesex) Maritime Headquarters Unit, No 1 Aeronautical Information
Documents Unit and a small Station Flight operating a single Islander CC2.
Originally a temporary Summer Landing Ground, Odiham opened in 1936 as an Army
Co-operation base. Tactical reconnaissance and fighter roles followed before
the base began an affiliation with Transport duties, particularly helicopters,
that continues to this day. Currently based at Odiham are No 7 Squadron with
11 Chinook HC2s and a single Gazelle HT3, No 18 Squadron with 10 Chinook HC2s
and No 27 Squadron with 9 Chinook HC2s. The last of these incorporates the Operational
Conversion Unit for the Chinook.
Scampton in Lincolnshire is home to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic team, the
Red Arrows, flying Hawk T1/T1As.
St Athan is the major RAF maintenance base for Harrier, Tornado, Jaguar, Hawk,
Dominie and VC10, all of which is the responsibility of the Engineering Division.
Other units are a Mountain Rescue Team, the University of Wales Air Squadron
with Tutor T1s and No 634 Volunteer Gliding School with Viking TX1s.
Ferry Command was originally responsible for St Mawgan, and the base was initially
used for ferry flights across the Atlantic. In 1951, the Station reopened as
a Coastal Command base, and now operates largely as a Search and Rescue base.
Nimrods and Tornados regularly detach to St Mawgan to exercise the defence of
the South West Approaches. Currently based on the airfield is No 203 (Reserve)
Squadron equipped with 3 Sea King HAR3s. All maintenance for the RAF Sea King
fleet is carried out at St Mawgan, and the airfield is home to No 3 Maritime
Headquarters Unit. Two Field Squadrons are also based here; No 1 Squadron RAF
Regiment and No 2625 (County of Cornwall) Squadron, RAuxAF.
Shawbury has been a training airfield throughout its history, from when the
first airfield opened there in 1917. Aside from flying training, Shawbury has
also been home to the Central Air Traffic Control School since its earliest
beginnings back in 1944. All of the flying training at Shawbury is now rotary
winged, and was previously undertaken by No 2 Flying Training School. In April
1997, this became the tri-Service Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) operating
Squirrel HT1 (660 and 705 Squadrons) and Griffin HT1 (60 (Reserve) Squadron)
helicopters. The unit also includes the helicopter element of the Central Flying
School which uses the DHFS aircraft.
Valley's position on the Isle of Anglesey made is ideally suited for its dual
role of fighter base, protecting Liverpool and the North West, and ferry airfield,
operating transport flights across the Atlantic. In 1957, Valley became a training
base, and is now one of the most important. The largest unit based at Valley
is No 4 Flying Training School, which operates 71 Hawk T1/T1A aircraft, and
incorporates the Central Flying School Advanced Training Unit. Valley is also
home to "C" Flight of No 22 Squadron equipped with 2 Sea King HAR3s
for Search and Rescue duties, and the Search and Rescue Training Unit, which
operates 3 Griffin HT1s.
Initially a flying training base of the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, the Station
closed in 1920, re-opening in 1926 as a bomber base, a role that continued until
1984 with the withdrawal from service of the last Vulcan aircraft. Waddington
now fulfills two main roles in the RAF, that of electronic reconnaissance, carried
out by the 3 Nimrod R1s of 51 Squadron, and Airborne Early Warning, provided
by the 6 Sentry AEW1s of Nos 8 Squadron and 23 Squadrons. Ground and Air Defence
of the airfield is provided by No 26 Squadron RAF Regiment with its Rapier FSC
Surface-to-Air missiles, and No 2503 (County of Lincoln) RAuxAF Field Squadron.
NATO aircraft of many nations use Waddington as a temporary base during exercises
in the North Sea air combat range.
Once a fully operational RAF station, Wattisham is now only home to a Search
and Rescue helicopter unit, "B" Flight of No 22 Squadron, equipped
with 2 Sea King HAR3A helicopters.
Originally called Stamford, the base was used as a training airfield from 1916
as part of the Royal Flying Corps. The Central Flying School was at Wittering
until 1935, from which time it became a fighter base, the role it now fulfills.
Known as "The Home of the Harrier", Wittering currently hosts just
one squadron following the transfer of No1(F) to nearby Cottesmore. This is
the Operational Conversion Unit for the Harrier, No 20 (Reserve) Squadron, equipped
with 9 Harrier GR7s and 5 Harrier T10s. As part of the joint RAF/Royal Navy
Joint Force Harrier concept, the Sea Harriers of No 899 NAS, the Navy's Operational
Conversion Unit for the type will move to Wittering from Yeovilton in the future.
Woodvale is currently home to the Liverpool and Manchester University Air Squadrons
which both operate Tutor T1s, and No 10 Air Experience Flight.
Amport House, the Armed Forces Chaplain Centre, was inaugurated on the 1 April
1996 to provide religious and welfare support and training for uniformed personnel
of all three services. Originally the RAF Chaplain's School, the School moved
to Amport House in 1962, having first been based at Dowdswell Court in Cheltenham.
Parented by RAF Brize Norton, the Station is home to No 2 and 81 Signals Units
which are involved with High Frequency Communications.
Famous for its pivotal role as Fighter Command Headquarters during the Battle
of Britain, Bentley Priory is now the home of several RAF directorates including
the Air Historical Branch.
A signals Station, Boddington is home to No 9 Signals Unit and Headquarters
TARE Units.
RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow
RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow is the result of the merger of Brampton Wyton (itself
a merger) with Henlow which took place on 1 Apr 01. The sites retain their own
identities but are run under single command, with many of the support functions
centralised. The unit also provides support for RAF Stanbridge and parenting
for some activity at RAF Chelveston. The Station Commander is based at Wyton
but maintains offices at all 3 locations, as do his 2 functional wing commanders,
OC Personnel Support Wing and OC Station Support Wing. The role of the Station
is to provide support for the lodger units thereon, most of which are Defence
Logisitcs Organisation (DLO) formations.
RAF Wyton is the largest of the 3 sites and provides the principal home for
Equipment Support (Air) (ES(Air)), the air pillar of the DLO. In addition, it
houses Corporate Technical Services, another DLO element. The Station's active
airfield has now re-opened and is the home of the University of London Air Sqn,
the Cambridge University Air Sqn and No 5 AEF.
RAF Brampton is ever synonymous with the Joint Air Reconnaissance Centre (JARIC),
but in addition it provides support to a number of other lodger units including
elements of the DLO. It is also the base for the Defence Security Standards
Organisation and RAF Infrastructure Organisation East Region.
Henlow has been a ground-training base specialising in electronics since the
end of the Second World War and was for many years synonymous with the RAF Signals
Engineering Establishment (RAFSEE). The Station is now home to the Directorate
of Engineering Interoperability (DEI), which is part of the Defence Communications
Services Agency (DCSA) within the DLO. In addition it houses the Joint Arms
Control and Inspection Group (JACIG), HQ Provost & Security Services (RAF),
including the newly-formed Tactical Provost Wing, the RAF Centre for Aviation
Medicine (CAM) and No 616 Volunteer Gliding School which operates Vigilant T1
motor gliders.
RAF Digby, originally called RAF Scopwick, was established on 28 March 1918.
It has been home to a number of units, including Nos. 2 and 3 Flying Training
Schools and both Guy Gibson and Douglas Bader were station here. In 1942, the
Station became a Royal Canadian Air Force Station operating Mosquito aircraft.
Following a brief period as a Technical Training Unit, the role of the Station
changed yet again in 1955 with the arrival of No. 399 Signals Unit. This was
later joined by 591 Signals Unit and the Aerial Erectors School. No. 399 Signals
Unit changed its name to the Joint Service Signals Unit on 15 September 1998,
reflecting not only its tri-Service environment, but also its bi-National one
with members of all three US forces serving alongside RAF, Army and Royal Navy
personnel.
An Army Air Corps helicopter base, Dishforth is also a Relief Landing Ground
for RAF Linton and is home to the RAFGSA Cleveland Gliding Club.
Donna Nook is the an East Coast bombing range.
Opened in 1962, RAF Fylingdales is primarily a Ballistic Missile Early Warning
Station, with a secondary duty of detecting, reporting and tracking satellite
launches and orbits. The famous "golf ball" radomes have now been
replaced by Phased Array Radars.
Halton is home to the School of Recruit Training, the RAF Institute of Health,
Headquarters Defence Dental Agency, and a Volunteer Gliding School, No 613,
flying Vigilant T1s.
Purchased after the Second World War with money from the "Royal Air Force
Pilots and Crews Fund", a public collection as a tribute to the deeds of
the RAF, Headley Court is now the Defence Services Medical Rehabilitation Unit,
which aims to return all those service personnel injured or seriously ill to
full fitness.
Holbeach is the Wash Bombing Range.
Originally opened in 1937 as a bomber base, Honington is now the RAF Regiment
Depot, the last Aircraft leaving in 1993 when the Tornado Weapons Conversion
Unit moved to Lossiemouth.
RAF Machrihanish
Currently the Station is under enhanced care and maintenance status.
Due to the sheer numbers of Hawk T1/T1As operating at RAF Valley, Mona is the
very necessary Relief Landing Ground for 4 Flying Training School.
Also known as HMS Warrior, Northwood is the Joint Maritime Headquarters.
This Station is the focal point of military satellite communications in the
UK. Two satellite communications (Satcom) units are based at Oakhanger, No 1001
Signals Unit and a NATO Satellite Ground Terminal.
This bombing and firing range is adjacent to the old Pembrey airfield on the
South Wales coast.
The Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre is under the control of Headquarters
Military Air Traffic Operations (MATO) and is responsible for providing a radar
service to military and civil aircraft.
Originally a civil airfield, the RFC took over Sealand in 1916, and the Station
was used for training and later, maintenance, a role that continues today. No
30 Maintenance Unit first moved to Sealand in 1937, and today is responsible
for the third line repair of airborne avionic equipment for all three Armed
Services. No 631 Volunteer Gliding School operates Viking TX1s from the South
Airfield.
Spadeadam became an RAF Station in 1976, and was the first Electronic Warfare
Range in Western Europe. It is now a NATO Electronic Countermeasures Range.
Stafford is home to two long standing RAF units. No 16 Maintenance Unit was
formed in 1939, and still serves as an Equipment Supply Depot. No 2 Mechanical
Transport Squadron moved to Stafford in 1958, and is responsible for providing
transport assistance for unit moves, and the handling of large or abnormal loads.
The Squadron also trains HGV Class 1 drivers for the RAF. Also at Stafford is
the Tactical Supply Wing (TSW), which operates mobile aviation fuel handling
facilities for helicopters and Harriers deployed in the field.
Initially a bomber station when it opened in 1940, Syerston became a training
base post-war, until it closed as an operational station in 1976. Syerston is
currently home to the RAF's Air Cadets Central Gliding School, responsible for
the allocation and maintenance of gliders, and No 644 Volunteer Gliding School.
Tain is a bombing range on the Moray Firth.
Topcliffe is a satellite airfield of RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
Units stationed at Uxbridge are the headquarters of the Military Air Traffic
Operations (MATO), Headquarters of Music Services and No 63 Squadron of the
RAF Regiment, better known as the Queens Colour Squadron.
Wainfleet is the Wash (North Side) bombing range.
RAF West Drayton is the military air traffic control centre co-located with
the civil London Area and Terminal Control Centre. The unit provides a vital
link between civil and military flying and airspace requirements.