List of Royal Air Force stations


This list of RAF Stations is a list of all current Royal Air Force stations, airfields, and administrative headquarters of the Royal Air Force. Also included are airfields operated by the Ministry of Defence but no longer considered as RAF stations, MOD air weapons ranges and stations operated by the US Visiting Forces.

RAF stations and MOD airfields in the UK

Royal Air Force (RAF)

RAF front-line operations are focussed on seven main operating bases -
Operations are supported by numerous other flying and non-flying stations, with activity focussed at RAF Honington which coordinates Force Protection and RAF Leeming and RAF Wittering which have a support enabler role.
Stations such as RAF College Cranwell and RAF Valley form part of the UK Military Flying Training System which is dedicated to training aircrew for all three UK armed services. Specialist ground crew training is focused at RAF Cosford and MOD St Athan.
The Control and Reporting Centre at RAF Boulmer is tasked with compiling a Recognised Air Picture of UK airspace and providing tactical control of the Quick Reaction Alert Force. In order to achieve this Boulmer is supported by a network of eight Remote Radar Heads spread the length of the UK.

Ministry of Defence (MOD)

Several former RAF stations are still owned by the Ministry of Defence and are operated by QinetiQ in the test and evaluation role. The main facility providing this role is MOD Boscombe Down which still has a significant RAF presence.
A small number of former RAF stations, still owned by the MOD but no longer considered as stations, are regularly used by the RAF as relief landing grounds or training areas.
British Army barracks such as at Kinloss and Leuchars are listed as they perform a RLG role for the RAF.
NameConstituent countryCountyUnits and purpose
MOD AberporthWalesCeredigionFormer RAE Aberporth, operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD as a test & evaluation range.
RAF Barkston HeathEnglandLincolnshire
RAF BarnhamEnglandSuffolk
  • Non-flying station which is a satellite site of RAF Honington and provides domestic accommodation and training facilities for the RAF Regiment.
  • The MOD is expected to close and dispose of RAF Barnham by 2020.
  • RRH BenbeculaScotlandComhairle nan Eilean SiarRemote Radar Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer. The station was formerly known as RAF Benbecula.
    RAF BensonEnglandOxfordshireHome of the RAF's Puma Support Helicopter Force fleet operating under Joint Helicopter Command, comprising No. 33 Squadron and No. 230 Squadrons operating the Westland Puma HC2 and No. 28 Squadron operating the Puma and Boeing Chinook HC4.
    MOD Boscombe DownEnglandWiltshireTest & evaluation airfield operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD. Home to the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre, Empire Test Pilots School, Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron and the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron.
    RAF BoulmerEnglandNorthumberlandNon-flying station, home to the UK Air Surveillance and Control Systems Force Command, RAF School of Aerospace Battle Management and a NATO Control and Reporting Centre responsible for monitoring UK airspace.
    RAF Brize NortonEnglandOxfordshireThe RAF's largest station, home to the strategic and tactical air-transport and air-to-air refuelling fleets.
    RRH Brizlee WoodEnglandNorthumberlandRemote Radar Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer. The station was formerly known as RAF Brizlee Wood.
    RRH BuchanScotlandAberdeenshireRemote Radar Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer The station was formerly known as RAF Buchan.
    Chetwynd AirfieldEnglandShropshireFormer RAF station, now an unmanned grass airfield used for training purposes by helicopters of the Defence Helicopter Flying School from RAF Shawbury.
    RAF ConingsbyEnglandLincolnshire
  • Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 main operating base with No. 3 Squadron and No. 11 Squadron both contributing to the Quick Reaction Alert South capability, whereas No. 29 Squadron is the Typhoon operational conversion unit. No. 41 Squadron operate Typhoon for test and evaluation purposes.
  • The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operate a fleet of historic aircraft in the flying display role.
  • RAF CosfordEnglandShropshire
  • Training establishment, home to the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering Headquarters, No. 1 School of Technical Training, the RAF Aerosystems Engineer and Management Training School, No. 1 Radio School, Defence School of Photography and the RAF School of Physical Training.
  • Flying units include the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, No. 8 Air Experience Flight.
  • Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.
  • RAF CranwellEnglandLincolnshire
  • Training establishment, home to RAF College Cranwell, the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre and Air Cadets Headquarters.
  • Flying units comprise the Central Flying School responsible for training flying instructors, the headquarters and flying squadrons of No. 3 Flying Training School and No. 6 Flying Training School flying the Grob Tutor T1.
  • RAF DigbyEnglandLincolnshireNon-flying station providing specialist communications support under command of Defence Intelligence. Station personnel are drawn from all three UK armed forces and the US military. Home to the Joint Services Signals Organisation Headquarters, Joint Signals Service Unit, No. 591 Signals Unit and the Aerial Erector School.
    RAF FylingdalesEnglandNorth YorkshireNon-flying station providing an uninterrupted ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance capability to the UK and US Governments.
    RAF HaltonEnglandBuckinghamshire
  • Training establishment comprising the Recruit Training Squadron, Airmens Command Squadron, International Defence Training, Supply and Management Training Wing, Specialist Training Squadron and several other RAF and joint support units.
  • A grass airfield provides a base for several RAF flying clubs.
  • The MOD is expected to close and dispose of RAF Halton by 2022.
  • MOD HebridesScotlandComhairle nan Eilean SiarFormer RAF Benbecula, operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD as a test and evaluation range.
    RAF HenlowEnglandBedfordshire
  • Support station, home to several RAF and Joint Forces Command units including the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group, elements of Engineering Operations under Information Systems & Services, Defence Cultural Specialist Unit, the Band of the Queen's Division and specialist units of the RAF Police.
  • A grass airfield provides a base for two flying clubs.
  • The MoD is expected to close and dispose of RAF Henlow by 2022.
  • RAF High WycombeEnglandBuckinghamshireNon-flying administrative support station, home to Headquarters RAF Air Command, No. 1 Group, No. 2 Group, No. 11 Group, No. 22 Group and No. 38 Group.
    RAF HoningtonEnglandSuffolkSupport station, home to the vast majority of the RAF Regiment including the RAF Force Protection Headquarters and Force Protection Centre, and numerous RAF Regiment squadrons including No. 20 Wing in the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear role. The station also hosts RAF Police Headquarters and No. 3 RAF Police Wing.
    Kenley AirfieldEnglandSurreyFormer RAF station, now home to No. 615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron flying the Grob Viking T1.
    Keevil AirfieldEnglandWiltshireFormer RAF station, now an unmanned airfield used for training purposes predominately by aircraft from RAF Brize Norton. Has also been used by the British Army for ground exercises and by Joint Helicopter Command.
    Kinloss BarracksScotlandMorayRelief Landing Ground for RAF Lossiemouth, maintained by a small number of RAF personnel. Formerly RAF Kinloss, the station is now a British Army barracks.
    Kirknewton AirfieldScotlandMidlothianFormer RAF station, now home to No. 661 Volunteer Gliding Squadron flying the Grob Viking T1.
    RAF LeemingEnglandNorth Yorkshire
  • Home to No. 100 Squadron operating the BAE Systems Hawk T1 in the mixed target facilities role and the Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron and No. 11 Air Experience Flight which are both equipped with the Grob Tutor T1.
  • Non flying units include No. 90 Signals Unit, No. 2 Force Protection Wing, No. 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, No. 609 Auxiliary Squadron and the Joint Forward Air Controllers Training and Standards Unit.
  • Leuchars StationScotlandFifeRelief Landing Ground for RAF Lossiemouth, maintained by a small number of RAF personnel operating the airfield and air traffic control radar. The former RAF station is now a British Army barracks but continues to accommodate the East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron and No. 12 Air Experience Flight and No. 612 Squadron in the medical support role.
    RAF Linton-on-OuseEnglandNorth Yorkshire
  • Training station home to Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron and No. 9 Air Experience Flight operate the Grob Tutor T1.
  • With the transfer of the fast jet flying programme to RAF Valley now complete it is expected that this station will close in 2020.
  • Little Rissington AirfieldEnglandGloucestershireFormer RAF station, home to No. 637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron and used for military exercises.
    RAF LossiemouthScotlandMoray
  • Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 main operating base with No. 1 Squadron, No. 2 Squadron, No. 6 Squadron and No. 9 Squadron, all contributing to the Quick Reaction Alert North capability. No. 5 Force Protection Wing HQ, No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment and No. 2622 Squadron operate in the airfield defence role.
  • The RAF's new P-8A Poseidon aircraft is expected to be based at Lossiemouth from 2020.
  • RAF MarhamEnglandNorfolk
  • Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II main operating base, home to No. 617 Squadron. Non-flying units include the Tactical Imagery-Intelligence Wing, No. 3 Force Protection Wing HQ, No. 93 Expeditionary Armament Squadron and No. 2620 Squadron.
  • RAF MonaWalesIsle of AngleseyRelief Landing Ground for Hawk T2s operating from RAF Valley.
    RRH NeatisheadEnglandNorfolkRemote Radar Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer. The station was formerly known as RAF Neatishead. Part of the site is now the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum.
    RAF NortholtEnglandGreater London
  • Home of No. 32 Squadron operated the BAe 146 and Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew in the Command Support Air Transport role. The station is also home to No. 63 Squadron RAF Regiment, No. 600 Squadron, No. 1 AIDU and the Headquarters Music Services and the Central Band of the RAF.
  • A number of other military units are based at Northolt, including the British Forces Post Office and No. 621 Squadron of Royal Logistics Corps.
  • RAF OdihamEnglandHampshireHome of the RAF's Chinook fleet operating under Joint Helicopter Command, comprising No. 18 Squadron, and No. 27 Squadrons. No. 7 Squadron operates its Chinooks.
    RRH PortreathEnglandCornwallRemote Radar Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer. The station was formerly known as RAF Portreath.
    RRH Saxa VordScotlandShetland IslandsRemote Radio Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer. The site was brought back to full operational capability in 2018, although with no permanent personnel.
    RAF ScamptonEnglandLincolnshireHome of the RAF Aerobatic Team flying the BAE Systems Hawk T1A. Non-flying units include No. 1 Air Control Centre and the RAF Mobile Meteorological Unit. In July 2018, the MOD announced that Scampton would close by 2022; all units would be relocated to other RAF Bases.
    RAF ShawburyEnglandShropshireHome of the tri-service Defence Helicopter Flying School, comprising 60 Squadron, No. 660 Squadron Army Air Corps and 705 Naval Air Squadron, flying the Airbus Juno HT1. Elements of the Central Flying School Squadron train helicopter flying instructors and the School of Air Operations Control trains air traffic controllers for the RAF and Royal Navy.
    MOD St. AthanWalesVale of GlamorganTraining station, home to No. 4 School of Technical Training and the University of Wales Air Squadron flying the Grob Tutor T1.
    RAF St MawganEnglandCornwallNon-flying station with the airfield part now operating as Newquay Airport. The station is home to the tri-service Defence Survival Training Organisation and No. 505 Squadron RAuxAF. It is also used by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to accommodate personnel utilising the Defence Training Estate within the south west of England.
    RRH Staxton WoldEnglandNorth YorkshireRemote Radar Head forming part of the UK Air Surveillance and Control System which is managed from RAF Boulmer. The station was formerly known as RAF Staxton Wold.
    RAF SwanwickEnglandHampshireRAF Swanwick is the military element of London Area Control Centre. The unit also operates the UK's Distress and Diversion Cell and provides air traffic control services for RAF Northolt.
    RAF SyerstonEnglandNottinghamshireHome of No. 2 Flying Training School headquarters, the Central Gliding School and No. 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.
    Ternhill AirfieldEnglandShropshireFormer RAF station, now an unmanned airfield used for training purposes by helicopters of the Defence Helicopter Flying School from RAF Shawbury.
    RAF TopcliffeEnglandNorth YorkshireClosed as a flying station in 2019. Was formerly a Relief Landing Ground for Shorts Tucano T1s operating from RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Also former home to No. 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons flying the Grob Vigilant T1.
    RRH TriminghamEnglandNorfolkRemote Radar Head, satellite station of RRH Neatishead.
    RAF ValleyWalesIsle of Anglesey
  • Flying training station home to No. 4 Flying Training School comprising No. 4 Squadron and No. 25 Squadron operating the BAE Systems Hawk T2 & No. 72 Squadron operating the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II. Also No. 202 Squadron, part of No. 1 Flying Training School, operates the Airbus Jupiter HT1 in the maritime and mountain flying training role. The station is also home to the RAF Mountain Rescue Service headquarters.
  • The airfield incorporates Anglesey Airport.
  • RAF WaddingtonEnglandLincolnshire
  • Main operating base, home to the RAF's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance operations. No. 5 Squadron operate the Sentinel R1, No. 8 Squadron the Boeing Sentry AEW1, No. 13 Squadron the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, No. 14 Squadron the Beechcraft Shadow R1, No. 51 Squadron the Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint. No. 54 Squadron is the ISTAR training unit and 56 Squadron is the ISTAR test and evaluation unit.
  • Non-flying squadrons include No. 2503 Squadron RAuxAF Regiment the RAF Air Battlespace Training Centre, RAF Air Warfare Centre, the headquarters of the intelligence reserves and No. 7006 Intelligence Squadron.
  • MOD West FreughScotlandDumfries and GallowayFormer RAF station, operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MOD as a test and evaluation range. The airfield is disused and unlicensed but available for military exercises.
    RAF Weston-on-the-GreenEnglandOxfordshireForce Development Training Centre, used by No. 1 Parachute Training School as a parachute drop-zone.
    Defence CBRN Centre, Winterbourne GunnerEnglandWiltshireThe Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre is managed by RAF Air Command. It is responsible for all training issues related to CBRN warfare for the UK armed forces.
    RAF WitteringEnglandCambridgeshire and Northamptonshire
  • Support station accommodating elements of the RAF A4 Force which supports deployed and expeditionary air operations. The A4 force comprises a variety of units under No. 42 Wing and No. 85 Wing.
  • Flying units consist of No. 16 Squadron of No. 3 Flying Training School and No. 115 Squadron, University of London Air Squadron, Cambridge University Air Squadron and No. 5 Air Experience Flight of No. 6 Flying Training School, all flying the Grob Tutor T1.
  • RAF WoodvaleEnglandMerseysideTraining station home to Liverpool University Air Squadron, Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron, No. 10 Air Experience Flight all flying the Grob Tutor T1 and No. 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron. The Station is also home to No. 611 Squadron RAuxAF.
    RAF WytonEnglandCambridgeshireNon-flying station operated under Joint Forces Command. Home to the Joint Forces Intelligence Group, the Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre, No. 42 Engineer Regiment of the British Army.

    RAF stations operated by the United States Visiting Forces

    At the invitation of the UK Government, the United States has had military forces permanently stationed in the UK since the Second World War. The 1951 NATO Status of Forces Agreement and the Visiting Forces Act 1952, along with other bilateral acts, establishes the legal status of the USVF in the UK. Several military sites within England are made available for the USVF's purposes. An RAF commander is present at the main USVF sites and is normally of the rank of squadron leader, whereas a US colonel will normally command US personnel at each station. The role of the RAF commander is to liaise with the US base commander and act as head of establishment for Ministry of Defence employees. The use of UK bases for combat operations by the United States is a joint decision by both governments.
    The United States Air Force 501st Combat Support Wing manages and supports operations at RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Menwith Hill, RAF Molesworth and RAF Welford.
    In January 2017 the US Department of Defence announced through their European Infrastructure Consolidation programme that they would be withdrawing from RAF Mildenhall, and activities at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth would be moved to RAF Croughton. In April 2017 it was reported by the US European Command was reviewing the decision to close these stations.
    NameConstituent countryCountyUnits and purpose
    RAF AlconburyEnglandCambridgeshire
    • Non-flying station home to the USAF 423rd Air Base Group which provides services and accommodation to support operations at RAF Molesworth and the Joint Warfare Centre, Stavanger in Norway.
    • In 2015 the US Department of Defence announced the US withdrawal from the station.
    RAF Barford St JohnEnglandOxfordshireNon-flying station operated as a signals intelligence relay station by the USAF. The facility is a satellite station of RAF Croughton and controlled remotely.
    RAF CroughtonEnglandNorthamptonshireNon-flying station operated as a signals intelligence facility by the USAF and US intelligence agencies. The station is operated by the USAF 422nd Air Base Group.
    RAF FairfordEnglandGloucestershire
  • Forward operating airfield predominately used by USAF heavy bombers such as the B-1B Lancer, B-2A Spirit and B-52H Stratofortress. The station is operated by the USAF 420th Air Base Squadron, 422nd Air Base Group.
  • The Royal International Air Tattoo, the world's largest military air show, is held at Fairford annually in July.
  • RAF FeltwellEnglandNorfolkNon-flying station, operated as a space intelligence facility by the USAF 18th Intelligence Squadron, part of the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. Feltwell is parented by the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath.
    RAF LakenheathEnglandSuffolk
  • Home to the USAF 48th Fighter Wing operating the F-15C/D and F-15E. The wing comprises the 492d Fighter Squadron, 493d FS and the 494th FS..
  • The F-35A Lightning II is expected to be based at the station from 2020.
  • RAF Menwith HillEnglandNorth YorkshireJoint UK/US signals intelligence gathering station which functions primarily as a field station of the US National Security Agency. Operations are supported by the USAF 421st Air Base Squadron which is part of the 501st Combat Support Wing.
    RAF MildenhallEnglandSuffolk
  • Home to the USAF 100th Air Refuelling Wing operating the KC-135R Stratotanker, the 352nd Special Operations Wing operating the CV-22 Osprey, MC-130J Commando II and MC-130H Combat Talon II. The 95th Reconnaissance Squadron supports RC-135 Rivet Joint and OC-135 Open Skies, aircraft when deployed to Europe and operating from the station.
  • In 2015 the US Department of Defence announced the US withdrawal from the station by 2023.
  • RAF MolesworthEnglandCambridgeshire
  • Non-flying station, home to the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe Analytic Center operated by the US Defense Intelligence Agency and the J2 Directorate which provides US Africa Command with intelligence. The station is supported by the USAF 423rd Air Base Group.
  • In 2015 the US Department of Defence announced the US withdrawal from the station by 2021 with operations transferring to RAF Croughton.
  • RAF WelfordEnglandBerkshireNon-flying station used as ammunition depot in support of bomber operating from RAF Fairford. The station is operated by the USAF 420th Munitions Squadron.

    MOD air weapons ranges

    Air weapons ranges within the UK, previously operated by the RAF, are the responsibility of the Service Delivery part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. QinetiQ were awarded a three-year contract by the DIO in 2010 to manage the ranges but this role was taken over by Landmarc Support Services in 2014 as part of a contract covering the wider MoD Defence Training Estate.
    NameConstituent countryCountyUnits and purpose
    DIO Cape WrathScotlandHighlandParented by DIO Tain.
    DIO Donna Nook Air Weapons RangeEnglandLincolnshireParented by RAF Coningsby.
    DIO Holbeach Air Weapons RangeEnglandLincolnshireParented by RAF Marham.
    DIO Pembrey Sands Air Weapons RangeWalesCarmarthenshire
    DIO Tain Air Weapons RangeScotlandHighlandParented by RAF Lossiemouth.
    RAF SpadeadamEnglandCumbriaElectronic warfare range.

    RAF stations and locations overseas

    Permanent Joint Operating Bases

    The UK operate Permanent Joint Operating Bases in the four British Overseas Territories of Ascension Island, Cyprus, Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. The PJOB's contribute to the physical defence and maintenance of sovereignty of the British Overseas Territories and enable the UK to conduct expeditionary military operations. Although command and oversight of the PJOB's is provided by Joint Forces Command, the airfield elements are known as RAF stations.

    Semi-permanent operations

    The RAF have a semi-permanent presence at several overseas locations. Active military operations in the Middle East are supported by Expeditionary Air Wings which have been established at foreign airfields in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The RAF have a presence within Eastern European countries on a rotational basis as part of the NATO's Baltic Air Policing and Southern Air Policing missions.
    Two squadrons are located within the United States, to operate the MQ-9A Reaper collaboratively with the USAF at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, and to assist the RAF bring the F-35A Lighting II into full operational service
    NameCountryUnits and purpose
    RAF Akrotiri Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
    • Permanent Joint Operating Base acting as a strategic staging airfield to support British military operations in the Middle East. It is operated by the Cyprus Operations Support Unit.
    • No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing was established in December 2014 to support combat and support aircraft on detachment to the airfield as part of Operation Shader.
    • No. 84 Squadron operate the Griffin HAR2 helicopter.
    Al Minhad Air BaseNo. 906 Expeditionary Air Wing was established in January 2013 to provide a Middle East air transport and refuelling hub.
    Al Udeid Air BaseNo. 83 Expeditionary Air Group was established in April 2006 as the headquarters for all RAF assets in the Middle East and is responsible for UK air operations as part of Operation Kipon and Operation Shader.
    RAF Ascension IslandPermanent Joint Operating Base predominately operating as an air-bridge between RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. Also used by the United States Air Force and NASA as a communications and satellite tracking station.
    MCAS BeaufortNo. 617 Squadron personnel are training on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, embedded within VMFAT-501 of the US Marine Corps. The squadron is expected to transfer to RAF Marham in mid 2018.
    RRH Byron HeightsRemote Radar Head located on West Falkland.
    Creech Air Force BaseNo. 39 Squadron operate the MQ-9A Reaper.
    Edwards Air Force BaseNo. 17 Squadron formed at Edwards in April 2013 to test and evaluate the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
    RAF GibraltarPermanent Joint Operating Base acting as a strategic staging airfield. Also functions as Gibraltar International Airport which comprises a civilian passenger terminal operated by Government of Gibraltar.
    RRH Mount AliceRemote Radar Head located on West Falkland.
    RRH Mount KentRemote Radar Head located on East Falkland.
    RAF Mount PleasantPermanent Joint Operating Base opened in 1985 after the Falklands War. No. 905 Expeditionary Air Wing operates four permanently based Typhoon FGR4s, one Voyager KC2, one Hercules C5 and two Chinook HC4s.
    RAF TroodosSignals intelligence gathering and radar station located in the Troodos Mountains, outside the Sovereign Base Areas. Operated by golf section of the Joint Service Signal Unit.

    Map of stations within the UK

    Map of the United Kingdom showing active RAF stations, Ministry of Defence airfields, MOD air weapons ranges and RAF stations occupied by the United States Visiting Forces.

    Citations