RAF Kirknewton
RAF Kirknewton | |||||||||
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| Near Kirknewton, West Lothian in Scotland | |||||||||
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  RAF Kirknewton Shown within Edinburgh | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 55°52′31″N 003°23′51″W / 55.87528°N 3.39750°WCoordinates: 55°52′31″N 003°23′51″W / 55.87528°N 3.39750°W | ||||||||
| Type | Royal Air Force station | ||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||||
| Operator | Royal Air Force | ||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1941 | ||||||||
| In use | 1941-present | ||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Elevation | 201 metres (659 ft) AMSL | ||||||||
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RAF Kirknewton is a Royal Air Force station at Whitemoss, a mile south east of Kirknewton, West Lothian, Scotland.
History
Primarily an RAF radar base, RAF Kirknewton was home to a variety of units during the Second World War. No. 289 Squadron RAF was formed there as an anti-aircraft co-operation unit on 20 November 1941. In June 1943, RAF Kirknewton was the site of an outstanding act of bravery when Sqn Ldr Peter Guy Ottewill rescued two airmen from a burning Bristol Beaufighter, earning a George Medal.[1]
RAF Kirknewton was also used as a temporary POW Camp for German officers during the War, while they were awaiting transfer to the USA.[2] During the War the area in trees to the west of the airfield (which has now been redeveloped for housing) was used for additional accommodation and was known as Ritchie Camp.[3]
From 1952 to 1966, Kirknewton was home to several small United States Air Force units tasked with providing mobile radio facilities in Britain.[4] These units included 6952nd Security Group, formerly the 6952nd Radio Squadron Mobile, formerly the 37th Radio Squadron Mobile, United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS). Around 500 American service personnel were tasked with the interception of voice and Morse signals, including military and commercial naval traffic, with priority being given to signals involving Soviet radar and air operations.[3]
Between 1968 and 1986, some of the airfield buildings were used by the battalions resident in Ritchie Camp as MT workshops and garaging. The airfield was used for driver training and for low level tactical training.
Current use
RAF Kirknewton houses No. 661 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF flying a fleet of eight Grob Viking gliders to provide flying experience and training to members of the Air Cadet Organisation.
There are also a few private recreational planes based at the airfield.
The future
As part of the Future Force 2020 budgetary announcement in July 2011, Kirknewton was to have been developed into a major Army base to host a Multi-Role Brigade[5] and both Dreghorn Barracks and Redford Barracks were earmarked for disposal.[6] However plans to develop Kirknewton as an Army barracks were scrapped in March 2013.[7]
References
- ↑ "Obituary: Group Captain Peter Ottewill". Daily Telegraph. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
- ↑ David Hitt. "Kirknewton 1952-1966". Scott Mcintosh (East of Scotland Aviation Research). Retrieved 2009-08-22.
- 1 2 "Secret Scotland". Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ↑ Chorlton, Martyn (2008). Scottish Airfields in the Second World War: The Lothians. Scottish Airfields in the Second World War. 1. Countryside Books. ISBN 9781846741067.
- ↑ "Defence Basing Review" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-04-13.
- ↑ House of Commons Library: Standard Note:SN06038
- ↑ "BBC News - Army bases: Fewer than expected troops to return to Scotland". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-03-05. Retrieved 2014-04-13.
External links
- Photo Archive An Edinburgh-based reminiscence group's collection of people's photo albums. This links shows USAF personnel on the base and the neighbouring Inn.
- "RAF Kirknewton" (wiki). Secret Scotland. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
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