RAF Honington
RAF Honington Latin for 'Valiant for England')[1] | |||||||
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Coordinates | 52°20′33″N 000°46′23″E / 52.34250°N 0.77306°E | ||||||
Type | Air combat support station | ||||||
Area | 779 hectares (1,920 acres)[2] | ||||||
Site information | |||||||
Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||
Operator | Royal Air Force | ||||||
Controlled by | No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support)[3] | ||||||
Condition | Operational | ||||||
Website | Official website | ||||||
Site history | |||||||
Built | 1935 | –1936||||||
In use |
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Garrison information | |||||||
Current commander | Group Captain Holland | ||||||
Occupants |
AMSL | ||||||
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Royal Air Force Honington or more simply RAF Honington (IATA: BEQ, ICAO: EGXH) is a Royal Air Force station located 6 mi (9.7 km) south of Thetford near Ixworth in Suffolk, England. It was used as a bomber station during the Second World War and through the Cold War, hosting Handley Page Victors and Hawker Siddeley (Blackburn) Buccaneers. RAF Honington has been the RAF Regiment depot since 1994.
History
Royal Air Force use
Construction of Honington airfield, which was undertaken by John Laing & Son, began in 1935, and the station was opened on 3 May 1937.[4] Squadrons of RAF Bomber Command using the airfield prior to the Second World War were:
- No. 77 Squadron RAF (Hawker Harts and Vickers Wellesleys) (July 1937 – July 1938)[5]
- No. 102 Squadron RAF (Handley Page Heyford) (July 1937 – July 1938) – Moved to RAF Driffield[6]
- No. 75 Squadron RAF (Handley Page Harrow and Vickers Wellington) (July 1938 – July 1939) – Moved to RAF Stradishall.[5]
- No. 215 Squadron RAF (Harrow and Wellington) (July 1938 – July 1938) – Moved to RAF Bassingbourn.[7]
- IX Squadron (Wellington Mk Is, later changing to Mk lAs.) (4 September 1939 – 1940).[8]
IX Squadron flew the first RAF bombing raid of the Second World War on 4 September 1939 flying a sortie against the Kriegsmarine in the Baltic resulting in the loss of two Wellingtons.[9]
In July 1940,
Then, in May 1941, a Wellington returning from a night trip attempted to land at Honington with its wheels retracted. It skidded to one side and crashed into the main bomb dump where it burst into flames. Group Captain J. A. Gray and Squadron Leader J. A. McCarthy, the station medical officer, were the first on the scene of the crash. Both entered the burning aircraft in an attempt to rescue the crew who were trapped and, between them, they saved two crew-members. For their gallantry, both officers were awarded the George Medal.[11]
United States Army Air Forces use
In June 1942, the airfield was transferred to the
- 314th Service Group[13]
USAAF Station Units assigned to RAF Honington were:[12]
- 467th Service Squadron; HHS 314th Service Group
- 18th Weather Squadron
- 68th Station Complement Squadron
- 9th Depot Repair Squadron
- Headquarters (Western Base Section)
Regular Army Station Units included:
- Headquarters & Headquarters Battery (386th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion)
- 386th Anti-Aircraft Artillery AW Battalion
- 386th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion
- 1097th Signal Company
- 1178th Quartermaster Company
- 1221st Military Police Company
- 1599th Ordnance Supply & Maintenance Company
- 2017th Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon
1st Strategic Air Depot
Under USAAF control, an additional facility, called Troston, was constructed to the west of the main airfield as a specialized air depot for the repair of badly-damaged
364th Fighter Group
In addition to the air depot, Honington also housed an operational fighter unit when the
The group consisted of the following squadrons:[15]
- 383d Fighter Squadron (N2)
- 384th Fighter Squadron (5Y)
- 385th Fighter Squadron (5E)
The 364th FG flew escort, dive-bombing, strafing, and patrol missions in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.[15]
Converted from
The group patrolled the
The 364th also flew air-sea rescue missions, engaged in patrol activities, and continued to support ground forces as the battle line moved through France and into Germany. Took part in the
Although the last mission by the 364th took place on 25 April 1945, the group did not depart until November, returning to
Back to Royal Air Force control
RAF Honington was then used by
Bomber squadrons, 10, XV, 44, and 57 flying the English Electric Canberra were based at the station from 1955 to 1957 and 10 and XV Squadrons saw action in the Suez Crisis.[18]
In 1956, RAF Honington also became a V bomber base: squadrons, Nos, 7, 90, and 199 flew Vickers Valiant while squadron Nos, 55 and 57 flew Handley Page Victors.[18]
In 1965 the station was put into reserve to accommodate the proposed General Dynamics F-111 fleet: the married quarters were used for evacuees from the Aden Emergency at that time.[19]
The station then became home to
The station was then selected to become a base for the RAF's
RAF Regiment Depot
On 15 July 1992, it was announced that the Tornados would depart Honington and that the station would relinquish its primary flying role and become the RAF Regiment Depot.[20] As a result, the TWCU moved to Lossiemouth (to replace the Buccaneers) in November 1993. Honington ceased to be a flying station on 1 February 1994 when No. 13 Squadron relocated to RAF Marham.[21] The Depot moved in June 1994, when RAF Catterick in North Yorkshire, home of the previous depot, transferred to the British Army.[21]
RAF Honington became the home to 611
During 2018, No. 2 Squadron RAF Regiment moved to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, completing the move in September of that year.[23] No. 20 Wing RAF Regiment (Defence Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Wing) disbanded on 1 April 2019 having been at Honington since 2011. The CBRN role was taken over by 28 Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers, with No. 27 Squadron RAF Regiment coming under army command, before disbanding in October 2021.[24][25]
Role and operations
RAF Honington's mission statement is "Delivering Air Force Protection Capability for the RAF and Defence".
Based units
The following units are based at RAF Honington.[28][29][30][31]
British Army
- 28 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers
- 64 Headquarters & Support Squadron (C-CBRN), Royal Engineers.
Royal Air Force
- RAF Force Protection
- RAF Force Protection Headquarters
- RAF Force Protection Centre
- RAF Regiment Training Wing
- No. 2 RAF Force Protection Wing
- No. 1 (Tactical) Police Squadron
- No. 7 RAF Force Protection Wing
- No. 8 RAF Force Protection Wing
- RAF Police Headquarters
- No. 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron (Royal Auxiliary Air Force)
- Specialist and Security Police Wing
- Regional Rehabilitation Unit
- 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, Part of 2 FTS
Civilian
- RAF Regiment Heritage Centre
- RAF Honington Flying Club – Piper PA-28
Heritage
Station badge and motto
RAF Honington's badge, awarded in June 1956, features the head of St. Edmund in front of two crossed arrows pointing downwards. The head of St. Edmund represents the nearby town of Bury St Edmunds which is approximately 9 km (5.59 mi) to the south east of the station, in whose coat of arms the representation is featured. The arrows in saltire, represent St. Edmund's martyrdom.[32]
The station's motto (Pro anglia valens) is in Latin and translates into English as Valiant for England.[32]
Built heritage
Two Second World War era hardened field fortifications survive within the airfield boundary. The Pickett-Hamilton forts were designated as scheduled monuments by English Heritage (now Historic England) in September 2002. The forts were constructed in late 1940 in order to provide ground defence for the airfield. A third example is thought to have been destroyed during redevelopment of the station after the war.[33]
The forts were designed to be lowered into the ground while not in use; as such they would be inconspicuous and would not interfere with the passage of taxiing aircraft or vehicles. The forts could be raised to about 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 m) above ground level where each would pose a physical impediment to aircraft and vehicles and from where a small crew could fire rifles or light machine guns.[34]
The examples at Honington are described by Historic England as having "importance as comparatively rare surviving examples of an unusual and innovative type of airfield defence installation. The outer structure and lifting heads of both remain in good condition, and the example which is in working order, with its principal internal fittings intact, is of particular interest."[33]
Former units
The following units were here at some point:[35]
- No. 1 Transport Aircraft Modification Unit RAF
- No. 3 Group Practice Flight RAF (1937)
- No. 5 Blind Approach Training Flight RAF
- No. 13 Blind Approach Training Flight RAF
- No. 58 Maintenance Unit RAF
- No. 103 Gliding School RAF
- No. 237 Operational Conversion Unit RAF
- No. 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF
- No. 1504 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF
- No. 1505 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF
- No. 1513 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF
- Avionic Development and Servicing Unit (Buccaneer) RAF
- Joint Rapier Training Unit RAF
- Rapier Training Unit RAF
- Strike Command Avionics Development and Servicing Unit RAF
- Strike Command Buccaneer Force RAF
- Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit RAF
- Transport Command Major Servicing Unit RAF
- Transport Command Signals Training Unit RAF
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
Citations
- ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
- ^ "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. 15. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "No 2 Group". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ Ritchie, p. 91
- ^ a b Jefford 1988, p. 48
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 54
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 71
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 27
- ^ "IX Squadron". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 85
- ^ London Gazette Issue 35270 published on 9 September 1941. Page 1
- ^ a b c "Honington". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "314th Service Group". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "67th Fighter Wing". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "364th Fighter Group". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b "364th Fighter Group". Army Air Corps Museum. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "Honington handed back to the RAF - February 26, 1946". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "RAF Honington". Vulcan to the Sky. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ISBN 978-1434381491.
- ISBN 1-899808-06-X.
- ^ ISBN 1-899808-06-X.
- ^ "611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron operational again". RAF Air Cadets. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ Cooper, Tim (25 September 2018). "RAF Regiment Squadron Receives New Standard". Forces Network. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "27 Squadron RAF Regt – 20 Wg The End of the Beginning". Honington Herald. Lance Print: 9. Summer 2019.
- ^ "A Fond Farewell to 27 Sqn RAF Regiment". Royal Air Force. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Jeffrey's 100 Mile Walk". Honington Herald. Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd.: 22 Winter 2018.
- ^ a b c "RAF Honington". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ "RAF Honington – Who's Based Here". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "Force Protection – RAF Police". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "RAF Honington Flying Club". RAF Flying Clubs' Association. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
- ^ "Force Troops Command Handbook". Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Honington". RAF Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ a b Historic England. "Two Pickett-Hamilton forts at Honington airfield, 750m and 1.25 km south west of Broomhill Cottages (1020779)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Pickett & Hamilton 1940.
- ^ "Honington". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
Bibliography
- Baugher, J USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present Archived 30 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- Freeman, Roger A., Airfields of the Eighth, Then And Now, 1978
- Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. Air Life Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Maurer Maurer, Air Force Combat Units of World War II, Office of Air Force History, 1983
- Pickett, Francis Norman; Hamilton, Donald St Aubyn (12 July 1940). "An improved means for the protection of aerodromes, aircraft landing fields and other situations (patent)". Espacenet. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
- Ritchie, Berry (1997). The Good Builder: The John Laing Story. James & James.
External links
- Official website
- Honington Herald – RAF Honington station magazine
- RAF Regiment Heritage Centre
- Honington www.controltowers.co.uk
- Honington mighty8thaf.preller.us