List of American military locations in Great Britain

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United States Air Forces in Europe

The List of American Military Locations in Great Britain lists all US military establishments in Great Britain from 1948 to the present, both closed and existing.

Basics

Main US Air Force airfields in England

After the growing tensions between the victorious powers of the Second World War in the Cold War , Great Britain took on the role of the United States' abutment of the transatlantic bridge to Europe. In particular, the ranged combat bombers of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) used the well-developed operational airfields of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in East Anglia . At the beginning of 1954, the American air forces were regrouped: the tactical units of United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) stationed near the border in Bavaria were relocated to Rhineland-Palatinate , the strategic forces of the SAC now used those behind the British instead of the sites in Norfolk and Suffolk RAF Bomber Command lying RAF bases in Home Counties northwest of London ; USAFE tactical, partly nuclear-capable formations were stationed at the airfields in East Anglia. Likewise, some of the American nuclear capable aviation forces withdrawn from France in 1958 and 1966 - unless they were transferred to the Federal Republic of Germany - were stationed in England .

The protection of the RAF airfields was the responsibility of the US Army 32nd Anti Aircraft Defense Command (AADCOM) until 1957. From 1960 to 1992 the US Navy also used bases in Great Britain, in particular the base on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland was used by the American nuclear submarines. The European pillar of the Ballistic Missile Defense Early Warning Network (BMEWS) was in Yorkshire . With the end of the Cold War, most of the American military bases in Great Britain were closed.

List of military locations

KC-135 tanker aircraft at RAF Mildenhall

The structure of the lists for East Anglia, Home Counties, Midlands, London and South England, North England, Wales, Scotland and Isle of Man is essentially based on the numbering of the American Field Post Office (APO) for the US Army and US Air Force , Fleet Post Office (FPO) for US Navy. Wherever it made sense to reflect the strategic-tactical context, it was deviated from. In the other columns the name of the place, the military unit (station) and the county are given, furthermore - depending on the necessity - the duration of the presence is listed, from:

East Anglia

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county SAC USAFE AFCC MAC ESC AFSPC USAREUR comment
22nd 48 Fakenham RAF Sculthorpe Norfolk 1949-1962 1951-1994 49th Air Division, 47th Bombardment Wing
22nd Blakeney RAF Langham Norfolk 1947-1961 Alternative place for RAF Sculthorpe
Marham RAF Marham Norfolk 1946-1950 24 vaults (maximum capacity 96 nuclear warheads), not in use
120 Braintree RAF Wethersfield (WED) Essex 1951-1970 1960-1970
Braintree High Garrett Radio Relay Site (HAT) Essex 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Great Bromley Great Bromley Radio Relay Site (GBY) Essex 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
127 127 Mildenhall RAF Mildenhall (MIL) Suffolk since 1959 1960-1992 since 1966 1966 as part of Operation FRELOC relocation of the Évreux-Fauville base → RAF Mildenhall, HQ Third Air Force, base for KC – 135 tanker aircraft
179 129 Cranwich RAF Feltwell Norfolk 1989-2003 1951-1958 HQ 5th Space Surveillance Sqn; Cranwich Camp. RAF Feltwell was the supply and school center for Lakenheath and Mildenhall
179 Brandon RAF Lakenheath (LAH) Suffolk 1951-1960 1946–1951, since 1960 1960-1992 1950-1997 1951-1958 1958 as part of Operation "Red Richard" transfer of the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing (FBW) from Chaumont-Semoutiers → RAF Lakenheath, 48 vaults (maximum capacity 192 nuclear warheads, 110 B-61 bombs in 2005, withdrawal of nuclear weapons in 2007); Telecommunication and electronic reconnaissance
Bury St Edmunds RAF Shepherds Grove Suffolk 1954-1966
236 Alconbury RAF Alconbury (ANY) Cambridgeshire 1985-1991 1953-2020 1960-1992 1958 as part of Operation "Red Richard" relocation of 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) from Spangdahlem → RAF Alconbury (UK), "Tri-Base Area Alconbury, Molesworth Upwood"
Alconbury Magic Mountain Cambridgeshire 1988-1989 1988 Construction of the top secret underground bunker for intelligence purposes at the RAF Alconbury base; three months after completion, the Berlin Wall fell and the bunker was shut down.
190 238 Huntingdon RAF Molesworth Cambridgeshire 1953-1956 1960-1992 1956-1957 GLCM base 1983–1988, 2 vaults (maximum capacity 8 W-80 warheads, 1988 withdrawal of nuclear weapons according to the INF treaty), "Tri-Base Area Alconbury, Molesworth Upwood"
Upwood RAF Upwood Cambridgeshire 1981-1995 608th USAF Contingency Hospital, "Tri-Base Area Alconbury, Molesworth Upwood"
Wyton RAF Wyton Cambridgeshire 1988-1995 Alternative place for RAF Alconbury
Bassingbourn RAF Bassingbourn Cambridgeshire 1948-1951
405 Woodbridge RAF Woodbridge (WDE) Suffolk 1952-1993 1952-1993 "Twin Base Bentwaters Woodbridge"
755 Rendlesham RAF Bentwaters (BTS) Suffolk 1951-1993 1960-1992 25 vaults (maximum capacity 100 nuclear warheads, 1994 withdrawal of nuclear weapons), "Twin Base Bentwaters Woodbridge"
Woodbridge RAF Martlesham Heath (MAM) Suffolk 1961-1990 Relay station

Home Counties

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county SAC USAFE AFCC ESC USAREUR comment
147 Carterton RAF Brize Norton Oxfordshire 1952-1965 1951-1994 1951-1958 Chemical weapons 1951–1958
167 150 Newbury RAF Greenham Common Berkshire 1951-1964 1967-1992 1960-1992 1951-1958 FlaBtl 32d AADCOM; GLCM base 1983-1992, 2 vaults (maximum capacity 8 W-80 warheads, 1991 withdrawal of nuclear weapons according to the INF treaty)
193 Chefford RAF Chicksands (CHS) Bedfordshire 1960-1992 1950-1997 Telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance, 1962 Wullenweber AN / FLR-9 antenna "Elephant Cage", detachments in RAF Edzell, RAF Menwith Hill, RAF Lakenheath
194 194 Bicester RAF Upper Heyford (UHD) Oxfordshire 1950-1965 1966-1993 1960-1992 1966 as part of Operation FRELOC relocation of the reconnaissance aircraft from Laon-Couvron → RAF Upper Heyford, 55 vaults (maximum capacity 220 nuclear warheads, 1994 withdrawal of nuclear weapons)
Bicester RAF Bicester Service Annex Oxfordshire 1966-1993 317th USAF Contingency Hospital
241 High Wycombe High Wycombe Air Station (HYE) Buckinghamshire 1958-1965 1966-1991 HQ 7th Air Division (SAC); 1966 relocation of the main USAFE depot from Châteauroux-Déols to RAF High Wycombe as part of Operation FRELOC; underground bunker as a war HQ USEUCOM
Bovingdon RAF Bovingdon Radio Relay Site (BVN) Hertfordshire 1951-1962 Base for liaison aircraft. Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Barkway Barkway Communications Site (BRY) Hertfordshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
607 Newbury RAF Welford (WLD) Berkshire since 1954 Ammunition depot for RAF Fairford
Shellingford RAF Shellingford Oxfordshire 1951-1957 Radar maintenance workshop
Barford St John RAF Barford St John Oxfordshire since 1951 Telecommunication station (transmitter annex)
Watlington Christmas Common Radio Relay Site (CSN) Oxfordshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)

Midlands

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county SAC USAFE AFCC USAREUR comment
129 125 Fairford RAF Fairford Gloucestershire since 1950 since 2005 1960-1992 1951-1958 HQ 11th Strategic Group, base for KC-135 tanker aircraft, emergency landing site for NASA's space shuttle
147 Gloucester Gloucester Gloucestershire 1951-1958 34th AAA Brigade, 32nd AADCOM
198 Cheltenham RAF Little Rissington Gloucestershire 1981-1993 Military Contingency Hospital
Cheltenham GCHQ Cheltenham Gloucestershire Special US Liaison Office (Department of Defense / Joint Agencies) (since 1954)
212 East Kirkby RAF East Kirkby Lincolnshire 1954-1958 Air rescue (code name "Silksheen")
243 238 Chelveston RAF Chelveston (CEN) Northamptonshire 1952-1959 1959-1968 Chelveston Storage Annex, Chelveston Radio Relay Station / Caldecott Radio Relay Station
Daventry Daventry Radio Relay Site (DTY) Northamptonshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
243 Cirencester RAF Kemble Gloucestershire 1983-1994 Air Force Logistics Command, Support Group Europe. Maintenance yard for USAFE aircraft
378 Croughton RAF Croughton (CRO) Northamptonshire 1950-1996 Central for telecommunication connections
Bruntingthorpe RAF Bruntingthorpe Leicestershire 1953-1959 1959-1962 Alternative place for RAF Alconbury
Lincoln RAF Sturgate Lincolnshire 1953-1964 US ammunition depot for British Thor missiles at RAF Hemswell
Scampton RAF Scampton Lincolnshire 1948-1949
Nocton Hall RAF Nocton Hall Lincolnshire 1984-1995 Air Force Contingency Hospital
RAF Spitalgate Spitalgate Radio Relay Site (SPE) Lincolnshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Crowland Crowland Radio Relay Site (CRD) Lincolnshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Kirton in Lindsey Kirton in Lindsey Radio Relay Site (KNY) Lincolnshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
North Somercotes RAF Donna Nook Lincolnshire since 1976 Air-to-ground firing range
Gedney RAF Holbeach Lincolnshire 1954-2006 Air-to-ground firing range
Friskney RAF Wainfleet Lincolnshire 1950-2010 Air-to-ground firing range

London and the South of England

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county SAC USAFE AFCC USAREUR USNAVEUR comment
83 London RAF Uxbridge Middlesex 1960-1992 Communication station
London (Uxbridge) Hillingdon Radio Relay Site (HIN) Middlesex 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
125 London RAF Bushy Park (Camp Griffiss) Middlesex 1960-1992 1951-1958 Communication station
151 London London Middlesex Aerial Mail Terminal
241 553 London RAF West Ruislip Middlesex 1975-2006 Leased by the US Navy, logistical support for RAF South Ruislip
London RAF South Ruislip (SRP) Middlesex 1952-1958 1949-1972 1960-1992 1975-2006 HQ Third Air Force (relocated to RAF Mildenhall in 1972), HQ 7th Air Division (SAC) (relocated to High Wycombe in 1958), Air Force Hospital
London RAF Blenheim Crescent Middlesex since 2007 1960-2007 Administration building
197 London RAF West Drayton Middlesex around 1965 Connection to the Linesman system of the RAF (early warning system)
501 510 London London (LDN) Middlesex 1942-2009 HQ US Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (NELM) and USNAVEUR (7 North Audley Street), North Sea District
581 London London Middlesex UK Terminal / USATT (US Army Transport Terminal)
198 Manston RAF Manston Kent 1951-1955 1954-1961
Dunkirk RAF Dunkirk Radio Relay Station Kent 1964-1990
Swingate Swingate Radio Relay Station Kent 1964-1990
Maidstone RAF Cold Blow Lane Radio Relay Site (CDW) Kent 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Hythe RAF Hythe Kent 1964-1994 Combat Equipment Base North Atlantic (POMCUS)
Oxted Botley Hill Farms Radio Relay Site (BFM) Surrey 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Dean Hill Dean Hill Radio Relay Site (DHL) Wiltshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Golden Pot Towers Golden Pot Towers Radio Relay Site (GPR) Hampshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
199 Shaftesbury Shaftesbury Dorset 1952-1960 Shaftesbury Military Hospital
Ringstead Ringstead Radio Relay Site (RDS) Dorset 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME), connection to Gorramendi (Spain)
Bulbarrow Hill Bulbarrow Hill Radio Relay Site (BBL) Dorset 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Portland Bill Bill of Portland Radio Relay Site (BPD) Dorset 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)
Locking RAF locking Somerset 1960-1992 Fleet Hospital 10
511 Newquay RAF St Mawgan Cornwall 1960-1992 Naval Weapons Facility, United States Navy Atomic Weapons Department
St Eval RAF St Eval Cornwall 1948-1951

Northern england

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county USAFE MAC ESC AFSPC USAREUR comment
124 75 Warrington RAF Burtonwood Lancashire, 1974 Cheshire 1946-1953 1953-1959 1966-1994 Burtonwood Army Depot, POMCUS
210 Harrogate Menwith Hill Field Station Yorkshire 1956-2015 Telecommunication and electronic reconnaissance
243 Middlewich RAF Cranage Cheshire 1944-1958 Base for liaison aircraft
659 Whitby RAF Fylingdales (FYL) Yorkshire since 1962 BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System): NATO early warning system against attacks by long-range missiles with the corner points Fylingdales, Thule Air Base, Greenland and Clear Air Station, Alaska
Hornsea RAF Cowden Yorkshire 1959-1998 Air-to-ground firing range
Bishop Wilton Wold Garrowby Hill Radio Relay Site (GHL) Yorkshire 1964-1990 Relay station in the global radio relay network US Air Force (STRATCOM / AIRCOM / EAME)

Wales

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county USAREUR USNAVEUR comment
519 St Davids RAF Brawdy Pembrokeshire 1974-1995 Naval Facility (Sound Surveillance System in the East Atlantic)
Caerwent RAF Caerwent Monmouthshire 1960-1990 Reserve storage activity

Scotland

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county USAFE AFCC MAC ESC USNAVEUR comment
202 Glasgow RAF Prestwick Ayrshire 1945-1960 Prestwick Ferry Port (support for transatlantic flights)
514 Dunoon Holy hole Argyll and Bute 1960-1992 Base for nuclear submarines, Naval Support Activity, Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Refit Site One
515 Campbeltown RAF Machrihanish Argyll and Bute 1965-1995 Naval Weapons Facility Det
516 Thurso Thurso Caithness 1960-1992 Naval Communication Station
Aberdeen Aberdeen Antennae Site Aberdeenshire 1960-1992 Naval Communication Station
Inverbervie RAF Inverbervie Antennae Site Aberdeenshire 1960-1992 Naval Communication Station
Mormond Hill Mormond Hill Communications Site Aberdeenshire 1964-1990
Latheron Latheron Antennae Site Caithness 1960-1992 Naval Communication Station
Arbroath RAF Arbroath Angus 1960-1992 Fleet Hospital Support Facility 13
Lanark RAF Lanark Lanarkshire 1960-1992 Fleet Hospital Support Facility 14
518 Edzell RAF Edzell Angus 1950-1997 1960-1996 Naval Security Group Activity, Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance
Tain RAF Tain Ross and Cromarty since 1950 Air-to-ground firing range
Fraserburgh RAF Rosehearty Aberdeenshire 1994-2007 Air-to-ground firing range

Isle of Man

APO 1955 APO 1990 place station county USAFE comment
Jurby RAF Jurby Head Isle of Man 1946-1993 Air-to-ground firing range

Abbreviations

abbreviation text
AAA Anti Aircraft Artillery
AADCOM Army Air Defense Command
AFCC Air Force Communications Command
AFSPC Air Force Space Command
AIRCOM Air Force Strategic Communications
BMEWS Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
Det Detachment
EAME European-African-Middle Eastern Communications Area
ESC Electronic Security Command
FBM Fleet Ballistic Missile
FBW Fighter Bomber Wing
FlaBtl Anti-aircraft battalion
FmElo Aufkl Telecommunication and electronic reconnaissance
FRELOC Fast relocation
GCHQ Government Communications Headquarters (UK)
GLCM Ground Launched Cruise Missile
HQ Headquarters
INF Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
MAC Military Airlift Command
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NELM Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
POMCUS Prepositioned Organizational Material Configurated to Unit Sets
RAF Royal Air Force
SAC Strategic Air Command
Sqn Squadron
STRATCOM Strategic Communications System
TrW Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
UK United Kingdom
USAFE United States Air Force in Europe
USAREUR United States Army in Europe
USATT United States Army Transport Terminal
USEUCOM United States European Command
USNAVEUR United States Navy Europe
USSC United States Space Command

See also