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RAF Alconbury USAAF Station 102
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in England
RAF Alconbury's gate guardian, a full-scale model of a US Air Force F-5E Tiger II, seen during 2020
RAF AlconburyShown within Cambridgeshire
Coordinates	52°21′48″N 000°13′22″W / 52.36333°N 0.22278°W / 52.36333; -0.22278
Type	RAF station (US Visiting Forces)
Code	AY
Area	497 hectares (1,230 acres)
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	US Air Force
Controlled by	US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa previously RAF Bomber Command * No. 2 Group RAF * No. 3 Group RAF
Condition	Operational
Site history
Built	1937 (1937)/38
In use	May 1938–1942 (Royal Air Force) 1942–1945 (US Army Air Forces) 1951 – present (US Air Force)
Battles/wars	European theatre of World War II Cold War
Garrison information
Occupants	423d Air Base Group
Airfield information
Identifiers	IATA: AYH, ICAO: EGWZ, WMO: 035620
Elevation	50 metres (164 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 12/30 2,500 metres (8,202 ft) Asphalt 06/24 (WWII) 1,750 metres (5,741 ft) Concrete 12/30 (WWII) 1,235 metres (4,052 ft) Concrete 18/36 (WWII) 1,235 metres (4,052 ft) Concrete
Notes: Flying ceased in 1995

Royal Air Force Alconbury, or more simply RAF Alconbury, is an active Royal Air Force station near Huntingdon, England, that for many years was used by the USAF. The airfield is in the civil parish of The Stukeleys, close to the villages of Great Stukeley, Little Stukeley, and Alconbury. Flying operations are no longer based at the site, with most of the land, including the runway, having been sold in 2009 to become the new settlement of Alconbury Weald.

History

Opened in 1938 for use by RAF Bomber Command, the station was used from 1942 to 1945 by the United States Army Air Forces. It was occupied by the 93rd Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force; visitors included King George VI, who visited the site and saw the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses there on 13 November 1942.

It was announced by The Pentagon on 8 January 2015 that RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth would be closing by 2020. Most of the units at Alconbury and Molesworth were to be moved to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, along with the personnel. The decision was later reverted on the grounds of cost-effectiveness, with RAF Alconbury remaining as a support base for the Joint Analysis Center.

Royal Air Force use

• 15 Squadron from 15 April 1940 to 15 May 1940 operating the Bristol Blenheim IV - temporary move from RAF Wyton.
• 40 Squadron from 2 February 1941 to 31 October 1941 operating the Vickers Wellington IC - moved to RAF Luqa, Malta.
• 52 Squadron detachments from RAF Upwood during 1939 with the Fairey Battle and Avro Anson.
• 156 Squadron formed at Alconbury on 14 February 1942 from elements of 40 Squadron with the Vickers Wellington, moved to RAF Warboys in August 1942.
• A Detachment from No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (April 1985)
• No. 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (1941)
• No. XV Conversion Flight (January 1942 - May 1942)
• Sub site of No. 264 Maintenance Unit RAF (November 1945 - September 1948)

USAAF use

• 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
  • 325th Bombardment Squadron
  • 326th Bombardment Squadron
  • 327th Bombardment Squadron
  • 407th Bombardment Squadron
• 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
  • 328th Bombardment Squadron
  • 329th Bombardment Squadron
  • 330th Bombardment Squadron
  • 409th Bombardment Squadron
• 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
  • 334th Bombardment Squadron
  • 335th Bombardment Squadron
  • 336th Bombardment Squadron
  • 412th Bombardment Squadron
• 482nd Bombardment Group (Provisional)
  • 812th Bombardment Squadron
  • 813th Bombardment Squadron
  • 814th Bombardment Squadron
• 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional)
  • 36th Bombardment Squadron
  • 406th Bombardment Squadron
  • 788th Bombardment Squadron
  • 850th Bombardment Squadron

United States Air Force use

• 85th Bombardment Squadron (1955-59)
  • North American B-45 Tornado
  • Douglas B-66 Destroyer
• 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (1959-87)
  • Douglas RB-66 Destroyer
  • McDonnell Douglas RF-4C
• 527th Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor Squadron (1976-88)
  • Northrop F-5E Tiger II
• 10th Tactical Fighter Wing (1988-94)
  • Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Based units

Units based at RAF Alconbury.

United States Air Force

United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)

• 501st Combat Support Wing
  • Headquarters 501st Combat Support Wing
  • 423rd Air Base Group
    • 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron
    • 423rd Communications Squadron
    • 423rd Force Support Squadron
    • 423rd Medical Squadron
    • 423rd Security Forces Squadron

See also

• List of Royal Air Force stations
• United States Air Force in the United Kingdom

Notes

1. Due to a shortage of space at RAF Sculthorpe, the 85th BS operated from RAF Alconbury as a detachment of the 47th BW.

References

Citations

1. ^ Falconer 2012, p. 33.
2. "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. 15. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
3. ^ "Alconbury". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
4. "RAF Mildenhall to close amid other Europe consolidations". Stars and Stripes.
5. "RAF Alconbury to remain as a Base for the US Visiting Forces". 501st Combat Support Wing. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
6. Jefford 1988, p. 29.
7. Jefford 1988, p. 38.
8. Jefford 1988, p. 41.
9. Jefford 1988, p. 63.
10. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 49.
11. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 50.
12. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 96.
13. Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 216.
14. ^ "Alconbury". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
15. ^ "95th Bombardment Group (Heavy)". Mighty 8th Cross-Reference - Preller. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
16. ^ "801st Bombardment Group (Provisional)". Mighty 8th Cross-Reference - Preller. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
17. "Units". 501st Combat Support Wing. Retrieved 13 February 2019.

Bibliography

• Falconer, J (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
• Jefford, C.G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
• Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.

External links

• 501st Combat Support Wing

v t e United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
Air Forces	Third (Europe)
Bases	Aviano Air Base Incirlik Air Base RAF Lakenheath RAF Mildenhall Ramstein Air Base Spangdahlem Air Base
Support facilities	Ämari Air Base Büchel Air Base Camp Lemonnier Câmpia Turzii Air Base Chabelley Airport Chièvres Air Base Ghedi Air Base Izmir Air Station Kleine Brogel Air Base Lajes Field Łask Air Base Morón Air Base RAF Akrotiri RAF Alconbury RAF Fairford RAF Menwith Hill RAF Molesworth RAF Welford Stuttgart Airport Volkel Air Base
Major units	31st Fighter Wing 39th Air Base Wing 48th Fighter Wing 52nd Fighter Wing 86th Airlift Wing 100th Air Refueling Wing 406th Air Expeditionary Wing 435th Air Ground Operations Wing 501st Combat Support Wing

v t e USAAF Eighth Air Force in World War II
Stations United Kingdom Alconbury Aldermaston Andrews Field Atcham Attlebridge Bassingbourn Bodney Bottisham Bovingdon Boxted Bungay Burtonwood Depot Bury St. Edmunds Bushey Hall Chalgrove Cheddington Chelveston Chipping Ongar Daws Hill Debach Debden Deenethorpe Deopham Green Duxford Earls Colne East Wretham Eye Fersfield Fowlmere Framlingham Glatton Goxhill Grafton Underwood Great Ashfield Great Dunmow Halesworth Hardwick Harrington Hethel Honington Horham Horsham St. Faith Ibsley Keevil Kimbolton Kings Cliffe Kirton In Lindsey Knettishall Lavenham Leiston Little Walden Martlesham Heath Membury Mendlesham Metfield Molesworth Mount Farm North Pickenham Nuthampstead Old Buckenham Podington Polebrook Rackheath Ramsbury Rattlesden Raydon Ridgewell Seething Shipdham Snetterton Heath Steeple Morden Sudbury Thorpe Abbots Thurleigh Tibenham Wattisham Watton Wendling Westhampnett Wormingford Okinawa Bolo Ie Shima Kadena Futenma Yontan
Units Commands VIII Air Support VIII Bomber VIII Air Divisions 1st 2nd 3rdf Wings Bombardment 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 12th 316th Fighter 6th 65th 66th 67th 301st Groups Bombardment 34th 44th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 100th 301st 303rd 305th 306th 310th 319th 320th 322nd 323rd 333rd 346th 351st 379th 381st 382nd 383rd 384th 385th 386th 387th 388th 389th 390th 392nd 398th 401st 445th 446th 447th 448th 452nd 453rd 457th 458th 466th 467th 482nd 486th 487th 489th 490th 491st 492nd 493rd 801st (Provisional) Fighter 1st 4th 14th 20th 31st 48th 55th 56th 78th 318th 339th 350th 352nd 353rd 354th 355th 356th 357th 358th 361st 362nd 364th 413th 479th 495th 496th 507th Troop Carrier 60th 62nd 315th Reconnaissance 3rd 7th 25th 67th
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

v t e United States Air Force in the United Kingdom
bases	active USAFE RAF Alconbury RAF Barford St John RAF Blenheim Crescent RAF Croughton RAF Fairford RAF Feltwell RAF Welford RAF Lakenheath RAF Molesworth RAF Mildenhall other RAF Menwith Hill (AFISR) RAF Digby inactive USAFE RAF Bentwaters RAF Shepherds Grove RAF Wethersfield RAF Upwood SAC / USAFE RAF Bassingbourn RAF Brize Norton RAF Bruntingthorpe RAF Chelveston RAF Greenham Common RAF Upper Heyford RAF Daws Hill RAF Little Rissington RAF Manston RAF Scampton RAF Sculthorpe RAF Waddington RAF Woodbridge RAF Wyton other RAF Burtonwood (AFMC) RAF Chicksands (USAFSS)
organizations	active United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) 48th Fighter Wing 100th Air Refueling Wing 501st Combat Support Wing Headquarters Air Command Europe Third Air Force former Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom Sixteenth Air Force
Part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)

v t e USAAF Eighth Air Force in World War II
Stations United Kingdom Alconbury Aldermaston Andrews Field Atcham Attlebridge Bassingbourn Bodney Bottisham Bovingdon Boxted Bungay Burtonwood Depot Bury St. Edmunds Bushey Hall Chalgrove Cheddington Chelveston Chipping Ongar Daws Hill Debach Debden Deenethorpe Deopham Green Duxford Earls Colne East Wretham Eye Fersfield Fowlmere Framlingham Glatton Goxhill Grafton Underwood Great Ashfield Great Dunmow Halesworth Hardwick Harrington Hethel Honington Horham Horsham St. Faith Ibsley Keevil Kimbolton Kings Cliffe Kirton In Lindsey Knettishall Lavenham Leiston Little Walden Martlesham Heath Membury Mendlesham Metfield Molesworth Mount Farm North Pickenham Nuthampstead Old Buckenham Podington Polebrook Rackheath Ramsbury Rattlesden Raydon Ridgewell Seething Shipdham Snetterton Heath Steeple Morden Sudbury Thorpe Abbots Thurleigh Tibenham Wattisham Watton Wendling Westhampnett Wormingford Okinawa Bolo Ie Shima Kadena Futenma Yontan
Units Commands VIII Air Support VIII Bomber VIII Air Divisions 1st 2nd 3rdf Wings Bombardment 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 12th 316th Fighter 6th 65th 66th 67th 301st Groups Bombardment 34th 44th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 100th 301st 303rd 305th 306th 310th 319th 320th 322nd 323rd 333rd 346th 351st 379th 381st 382nd 383rd 384th 385th 386th 387th 388th 389th 390th 392nd 398th 401st 445th 446th 447th 448th 452nd 453rd 457th 458th 466th 467th 482nd 486th 487th 489th 490th 491st 492nd 493rd 801st (Provisional) Fighter 1st 4th 14th 20th 31st 48th 55th 56th 78th 318th 339th 350th 352nd 353rd 354th 355th 356th 357th 358th 361st 362nd 364th 413th 479th 495th 496th 507th Troop Carrier 60th 62nd 315th Reconnaissance 3rd 7th 25th 67th
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

• United Kingdom
• Aviation

• Royal Air Force stations in Huntingdonshire
• Royal Air Force stations in Cambridgeshire
• 1938 establishments in England
• Installations of the United States Air Force in the United Kingdom
• Airfields of the VIII Bomber Command in Cambridgeshire
• Military airbases established in 1938
• Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom