Misplaced Pages

RAF Wyton
Near St Ives, Cambridgeshire in England
Canberra PR9 'XH170' which is RAF Wyton's gate guardian
Verum Exquiro (Latin for 'Seek the Truth')
RAF WytonShown within Cambridgeshire
Coordinates	52°21′26″N 000°06′28″W / 52.35722°N 0.10778°W / 52.35722; -0.10778
Type	Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Air Force
Controlled by	Strategic Command
Condition	Operational
Website	www.raf.mod.uk/rafwyton
Site history
Built	1915 (1915)
In use	1916 – present
Garrison information
Current commander	Wing Commander Jim Doyle
Occupants	National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) Defence Infrastructure Organisation Defence Assurance and Information Security Defence Intelligence Estates Rationalisation Team RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band
Airfield information
Identifiers	IATA: QUY, ICAO: EGUY, WMO: 03566
Elevation	40.2 metres (132 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 08/26 799 metres (2,621 ft) Grass
Source: RAF Wyton Defence Aerodrome Manual

Royal Air Force Wyton or more simply RAF Wyton (IATA: QUY, ICAO: EGUY) is a Royal Air Force station near St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is decommissioned and the station is now under the command of UK Strategic Command.

RAF Wyton is home to the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI), which provides Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).and Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) support to HM Armed Forces. It also contains the Ministry of Defence Police Headquarters, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Regional Headquarters, 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic), and several other UK and Allied capabilities, authorities, and departments.

Located within the station, the Pathfinder Building is described as the "operations centre of Defence Intelligence" and the “largest Top Secret, Five-Eyes by design, military intelligence fusion and assessment facility in the world."

History

Flying station

Wyton has been a military airfield since 1916, when it was used for training by the Royal Flying Corps and then its successor the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The following squadrons were posted to Wyton between 1916 and 1935:

• No. 46 Squadron RFC between 1916 and 1916.
• No. 65 Squadron RFC between 1916 and 1917.
• No. 83 Squadron RFC between 1917 and 1917.
• No. 96 Squadron RAF between 1918 and 1918.
• No. 104 Squadron RFC between 1917 and 1917.
• No. 117 Squadron RAF between 1918 and 1919.
• No. 119 Squadron RAF between 1918 and 1918.
• No. 120 Squadron RAF between 1918 and 1918.
• No. 130 Squadron RAF between 1918 and 1918.
• No. 156 Squadron RAF between 1918 and 1918.
• No. 211 Squadron RAF between 1919 and 1919.

Second World War

During the Second World War it was used primarily as a bomber base, flying Bristol Blenheim, de Havilland Mosquito and Avro Lancaster aircraft. In 1942 it became the home of the Pathfinder Force under the command of Group Captain Don Bennett.

The following squadrons were posted to Wyton between 1935 and 1939:

• No. 44 Squadron between 1937 and 1937.
• No. 114 Squadron between 1936 and 1939.
• No. 139 Squadron between 1936 and 1939.

The following squadrons were posted to Wyton between 1939 and 1945:

• No. 15 Squadron between 1939 and 1940.
• No. 15 Squadron for a second time between 1940 and 1942.
• No. 40 Squadron between 1939 and 1941.
• No. 57 Squadron between 1940 and 1940.
• No. 57 Squadron for a second time between 1940 and 1940.
• No. 83 Squadron for a second time between 1942 and 1944.
• No. 105 Squadron between 1942 and 1945
• No. 109 Squadron between 1942 and 1942.
• No. 109 Squadron for a second time between 1942 and 1943.
• No. 128 Squadron between 1944 and 1945.
• No. 139 Squadron for a second time between 1943 and 1944.
• No. 156 Squadron for a second time between 1945 and 1945.
• No. 163 Squadron between 1945 and 1945.

Cold War

After the war Wyton became home to the English Electric Canberras of the Strategic Reconnaissance Force. Vickers Valiants arrived for No. 543 Squadron in 1955 and a Handley Page Victor arrived for the Radar Reconnaissance Flight in 1959.

In 1974, three Nimrod R1s belonging to No. 51 Squadron arrived for use in the Elint and Sigint role, and in 1975, the T17 and T17A Canberras of No. 360 Squadron arrived: this was a joint RAF and RN Squadron specialising in Electronic countermeasures training.

The following squadrons were posted to Wyton between 1946 and 2011:

• No. 13 Squadron between 1978 and 1982.
• No. 15 Squadron for a third time between 1946 and 1950.
• No. 25 Squadron between 1983 and 1989.
• No. 26 Squadron between 1969 and 1976.
• No. 39 Squadron between 1970 and 1982.
• No. 44 Squadron for a second time between 1946 and 1951.
• No. 51 Squadron between 1963 and 1995.
• No. 58 Squadron between 1953 and 1970.
• No. 82 Squadron between 1953 and 1956.
• No. 85 Squadron between 1989 and 1991
• No. 90 Squadron between 1946 and 1950.
• No. 100 Squadron between 1956 and 1956.
• No. 100 Squadron for a second time between 1982 and 19??.
• No. 138 Squadron between 1946 and 1950.
• No. 207 Squadron between 1969 and 1984.
• No. 360 Squadron between 1975 and 19??.
• No. 540 Squadron between 1953 and 1956.
• No. 542 Squadron between 1954 and 1955.
• No. 542 Squadron for a second time between 1955 and 1955.
• No. 543 Squadron between 1955 and 1974.

Post-Cold War

In the early 1990s one of its pilots was rugby union player Flight Lieutenant Rory Underwood.

During a four-month period in 1989, two squadrons of U.S. Air Force Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II jets were operated out of RAF Wyton while the runway at their base, nearby RAF Alconbury, was resurfaced.

In May 1995 both RAF Wyton and RAF Alconbury airfields were decommissioned and Wyton was formally amalgamated with RAF Brampton, and later with RAF Henlow to make all three locations a single RAF Station under a single station commander for administrative purposes. The airfield continued to host light aircraft for the Cambridge and London University Air Squadrons until they both moved to RAF Wittering in 2015.

On 25 March 2013 it was decided to relocate all flying units from Wyton due to the high maintenance costs of the airfield.

Following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review the RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow formation was disbanded: RAF Henlow subsequently became a separate station again and RAF Brampton was demolished.

Intelligence station

The Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG), a unit which was responsible for the collection of signals, geospatial, imagery and measurement and signature intelligence, moved from Feltham in Middlesex to RAF Wyton in 2013. 42 Engineer Regiment relocated from Denison Barracks in Hermitage to RAF Wyton to co-locate with the Joint Forces Intelligence Group in July 2014 and No. 1 Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Squadron moved from RAF Marham to Wyton in April 2017.

In 2016, JFIG disbanded, and the bulk of its former units and capabilities were re-rolled to establish the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence. The NCGI is a 1-star commanded organisation which in recent years has monitored military and terrorist activities taking place in real time, such as:

• HMS Diamond in operations against the Houthis in the Red Sea
• Unidentified radio signals coming from the Yemeni coast
• Different types of drones being used by Russia in Ukraine, including the physical analysis of Russian Orlan-10 and Iranian Shaheed 131 UAVs
• Development of Chinese DF-17 hypersonic missiles
• Pyongyang sending artillery rounds and missiles to Russian forces in Ukraine

It is also involved in homeland security and played a vital part in the Salisbury poisoning investigation by tracing the Novichok trail.

Former units

Other units moved (now disbanded)

The following other units were posted to Wyton at some point:

• No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (June 1982 - July 1992)
• No. 2 Group Communication Flight RAF (January 1940 - May 1943)
• No. 4 Blind Approach Training Flight RAF became No. 1504 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF (December 1940 - August 1942)
• No. 7 Group Communication Flight RAF (July 1940 - September 1941)
• 8th Aero Squadron
• No. 8 Group Communication Flight RAF (August 1942 - October 1945)
• No. 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group RAF (August 1942 - May 1943)
• No. 13 Aircraft Modification Unit RAF (March - August 1946)
• No. 70 (Bomber) Wing RAF
• No. 231 Operational Conversion Unit RAF (July 1982 - December 1990, May 1991 - April 1993)
• No. 1323 (Canberra) Flight RAF (October 1953 - November 1955)
• No. 1409 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (January - July 1945)
• No. 1499 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight RAF (March - June 1943)
• No. 1655 Mosquito Training Unit RAF
• No. 2730 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 2763 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 2781 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 2844 Squadron RAF Regiment
• Canberra Air Race Flight RAF (June - October 1953)
• Canberra Standardisation and Training Flight RAF (December 1990 - May 1991)
• Electronic Warfare Division RAF became Electronic Warfare Detachment RAF (Unknown - December 1994)
• Electronic Warfare Engineering and Training Unit RAF (-1976) became Electronic Warfare and Avionics Unit RAF (1976-1993)
• Electronic Warfare Operational Support Establishment RAF (1983-1995) becoming part of Air Warfare Centre 1993
• Equipment Support (Air) Group RAF (November 1999 - unknown)
• Ground Controlled Approach Operators School RAF (March 1952)
• Logistics Command RAF (April 1995 - April 2000)
• Radar Reconnaissance Flight RAF (October 1955 - September 1961)
• Cambridgeshire Police Air Operations Unit

Currently operational units moved

On 25 March 2013 it was decided to relocate the following flying units from Wyton due to the high maintenance costs of the airfield.

• 57(R) Squadron relocated to RAF Cranwell in Summer 2013.
• Cambridge University Air Squadron relocated to RAF Wittering in mid-2014.
• University of London Air Squadron relocated to RAF Wittering in mid-2014.
• 5 Air Experience Flight also relocated to RAF Wittering in mid-2014.

Based units

Notable units based at RAF Wyton.

See also

• List of Royal Air Force stations
• RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

References

Citations

1. Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 249. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
2. "RAF Wyton Defence Aerodrome Manual (DAM)" (PDF). RAF Wyton. Military Aviation Authority. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
3. ^ "RAF Wyton | Royal Air Force". 24 May 2024.
4. ^ Nicholls, Dominic (8 February 2024). "RAF Wyton: Inside the 'jewel in the crown of British Defence Intelligence'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
5. "Inside the UK's top-secret spy base preparing for war". Sky News. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
6. ^ Sengupta, Kim (8 February 2024). "Drones, missiles and white Russian horses: The UK intelligence agency you haven't heard of". The Independent. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
7. ^ "RAF Wyton". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
8. Jefford 1988, p. 40.
9. Jefford 1988, p. 45.
10. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 50.
11. Jefford 1988, p. 53.
12. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 54.
13. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 57.
14. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 59.
15. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 63.
16. Jefford 1988, p. 70.
17. "Avro Lancaster B.Mk.1 R5868/7325M Museum Accession Number 74/A/12" (PDF). RAF Museum. p. 3. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
18. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 39.
19. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 60.
20. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 29.
21. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 38.
22. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 43.
23. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 55.
24. Jefford 1988, p. 64.
25. ^ "RAF Wyton". Vulcan to the Sky Trust. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
26. Jefford 1988, p. 28.
27. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 33.
28. Jefford 1988, p. 41.
29. Raynham News (1991). "RAF West Raynham Missile Squadron to be Disbanded" (PDF). Retrieved 28 August 2018.
30. Jefford 1988, p. 52.
31. Jefford 1988, p. 69.
32. Jefford 1988, p. 89.
33. Jefford 1988, p. 96.
34. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 97.
35. "Sport. Rugby Union. pic: January 1989. RAF. Wyton, Cambridgeshire. England wing Rory Underwood, a pilot flight-lieutenant in the RAF, poses in the cockpit his Canberra jet". Getty Images. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
36. "A-10A Thunderbolt of 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron/10th Tactical Fighter Wing on detachment to RAF Wyton in May 1989". Airport Data. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
37. "Air Officer Scotland: Air Vice Marshal Ross Paterson". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
38. "University of London Air Squadron". Retrieved 26 November 2021.
39. "RAF Wyton airfield to close as training flights are moved - but base still open for intelligence hub". The Hunts Post. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
40. "Dramatic Footage Shows Demolition Of RAF Base". 13 January 2017.
41. "Joint Forces Intelligence Group Achieves Full Operating Capability". Ministry of Defence. 22 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
42. "New Defence Intelligence buildings handed over to MOD". Ministry of Defence. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
43. "UK JARIC Transitions to Defence Geospatial and Intelligence Fusion Centre" (PDF). November 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2013.
44. "42 Engr Regt (Geo) arrive at RAF Wyton". Eagleeyeonline.vo.uk. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
45. ^ Ellwood, Tobias (21 December 2017). "Air Force: Military Intelligence:Written question - 120057". UK Parliament. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
46. Drew, Rob (26 March 2021). "The National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence. InstRE". The Institution of Royal Engineers (InstRE). Retrieved 24 May 2024.
47. "Wyton". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
48. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 211.
49. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 155.
50. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 125.
51. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 149.
52. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 42.
53. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 197.
54. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 119.
55. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 120.
56. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 82.
57. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 102.
58. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 108.
59. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 148.
60. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 173.
61. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 213.
62. ^ "Defence Estate Rationalisation Update" (PDF). Ministry of Defence (MoD). Retrieved 26 March 2013.
63. "RAF Wyton". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
64. "DCMA United Kingdom | Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire". Defense Contract Management Agency. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

Bibliography

• 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.
• Lake, A (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
• Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J. (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.
• RAF Annual Review 2012

External links

• Official site
• RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

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 Strategic Air Command (SAC)
Bases	active (MAJCOM) CONUS Altus (AETC) Andersen (PACAF) Andrews (AMC) Barksdale (ACC) Beale (ACC) Bolling (AFDW) Cannon (AFSOC) Cape Cod (USSF) Columbus (AETC) Davis-Monthan (ACC) Dyess (ACC) Eielson (PACAF) Ellsworth (ACC) Eglin (AFMC) F. E. Warren (AFGSC) Fairchild (AMC) Forbes (ANG) Grand Forks (AMC) Grissom (AFRC) Homestead (AFRC) Lincoln (ANG) Little Rock (AETC) MacDill (AMC) Malmstrom (AFGSC) March (AFRC) McChord (AMC) McConnell (AMC) McGuire (AMC) Minot (ACC) Mountain Home (ACC) Nellis (ACC) Offutt (ACC) Patrick (USSF) Pease (ANG) Rickenbacker (ANG) Robins (AFMC) Seymour Johnson (ACC) Sheppard (AETC) Selfridge (ANG) Travis (AMC) Vandenberg (USSF) Westover (AFRC) Whiteman (ACC) Wright-Patterson (AFMC) overseas RAF Alconbury (USAFE) Diego Garcia (USN) Kadena (PACAF) RAF Fairford (USAFE) RAF Lakenheath (USAFE) RAF Mildenhall (USAFE) Thule (USSF) former / inactive CONUS Amarillo Bergstrom Biggs Calumet Air Force Station Carswell Castle Chennault Clinton-Sherman Dow Eaker Glasgow Grand Island (AAF) Griffiss Hunter K. I. Sawyer Kearney Kincheloe Larson Loring Lowry Mather McCoy Plattsburgh Presque Isle Ramey R.I. Bong (unbuilt) Schilling Stead Turner Walker Wurtsmith overseas Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom RAF Bassingbourn Ben Guerir Boulhaut RAF Brize Norton RAF Bruntingthorpe RAF Burtonwood RAF Chelveston RAF Greenham Common Goose Ernest Harmon RAF High Wycombe RAF Upper Heyford Torrejón RAF Manston Morón Nouasseur Rabat-Salé RAF Scampton RAF Sculthorpe Sidi Slimane RAF South Ruislip U-Tapao RAF Waddington RAF Woodbridge RAF Wyton Zaragoza
Units	Air Forces Second Air Force Eighth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force Sixteenth Air Force Twentieth Air Force Divisions Air 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 12th 14th 17th 19th 21st 36th 40th 42d 45th 47th 57th 100th 311th 801st 802d 806th 817th 822d 823d 4310th Strategic aerospace 1st 18th 22d 810th 813th 816th 818th 819th 820th 821st 825th Strategic missile 13th Wings Bombardment 2d 5th 7th 9th 17th 19th 22d 28th 39th 40th 42d 43d 68th 70th 72d 92d 93d 96th 97th 99th 303d 319th 320th 340th 379th 380th 397th 410th 416th 449th 450th 454th 456th 461st 465th 484th 494th 509th Fighter 1st 4th 12th 27th 31st 33d 56th 71st Strategic Reconnaissance (Fighter) 82d 407th 506th 508th Missile 44th 90th 91st 308th 321st 341st 351st 381st 389th 390th 392d 451st 455th 702d 703d 704th 705th 706th 4320th Strategic Wing (Missile) Reconnaissance 6th Strategic Reconnaissance 26th Strategic Reconnaissance 55th Strategic Reconnaissance 544th Aerospace Reconnaissance Technical Refueling 11th 100th 301st 305th 384th 452d 497th 499th 500th Strategic Aerospace 310th 385th 462d AFCON 95th 98th 306th 307th 376th MAJCOM 3918th 3920th 3960th 3970th 3973d 4026th 4038th 4039th 4042d 4043d 4047th 4080th 4081st 4082d 4083d 4123d 4126th 4128th 4130th 4133d 4134th 4135th 4136th 4137th 4138th 4141st 4157th 4158th 4170th 4228th 4238th 4239th 4241st 4245th 4252nd 4258th 4321st USAAF Groups *= initial assigned unit upon SAC's activation Bombardment 2d (7/47) 7th (10/46) 28th (8/46) 40th (3/46*) 43rd (10/46) 44th (3/46*) 92nd (10/46) 93d (3/46*) 97th (8/46) 98th (7/47) 301st (8/46) 307th (8/46) 444th (3/46*) 448th (3/46*) 449th (3/46*) 467th (3/46*) 485th (3/46*) 498th (3/46*) 509th Composite (3/46*) Fighter 27th (6/47) 55th (2/47) Reconnaissance 91st Strategic Reconnaissance (1/47)
Major weapon systems	Bombers Rockwell B-1 Lancer Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Boeing B-29 Superfortress Convair B-36 Peacemaker North American B-45 Tornado Boeing B-47 Stratojet Boeing B-50 Superfortress Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Convair B-58 Hustler General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Command & Control Lockheed DC-130 Boeing E-4 Boeing EC-135 Boeing RC-135 Fighters North American F-2 Mustang North American F-82 Twin Mustang Republic F-84F Thunderstreak North American F-86 Sabre Convair F-102 Delta Dagger General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Missiles ADM-20 AGM-28 AGM-69 AGM-84 AGM-86 AGM-129 HGM-16 LGM-30A/B LGM-30F LGM-30G LGM-118A SM-62 PGM-17A PGM-19A Reconnaissance Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Lockheed TR-1 Lockheed U-2 Martin RB-57D Canberra Boeing RB-17 Boeing RB-29 Tankers Boeing KB-29 Superfortress Boeing KB-50 McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter Lockheed HC-130 Lockheed Martin KC-130 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Transport Beechcraft C-45 Douglas C-47 Skytrain Douglas C-54 Skymaster Fairchild C-82 Packet Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Douglas C-118 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Douglas C-124 Globemaster II Convair C-131 Samaritan Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
Commanders	George Kenney Curtis LeMay Power Ryan Joseph J. Nazzaro Bruce K. Holloway John C. Meyer Russell E. Dougherty Richard H. Ellis Bennie L. Davis Larry D. Welch John T. Chain, Jr, George Lee Butler
Emblems	Strategic Air Command Emblem Gallery
United States military aircraft designation systems

• Royal Air Force stations in Huntingdonshire
• Royal Air Force stations in Cambridgeshire
• Royal Flying Corps airfields
• Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom
• Airports established in 1916
• 1916 establishments in England