Opened Mar 1939 with bomber and later, anti-shipping units. Handed over to USAAF in Sep 1942 as a fighter depot, when 3 concrete and tarmac runways were laid. Base reverted to the RAF as a jet fighter station after WWII, with a succession of Meteors, Hunters, Lightnings and Phantoms until 1992, when the base was put into maintenance. Re-activated as an Army base with new hangars added, to house units withdrawn from Germany.
A Search and Rescue service, operated by RAF
22 Squadron B Flight from a 2 pad stand to the north east of the base is due to cease from 1 Jul 2015. The service (part of the new DfT/MCA 10 year
UK SRR contract) will be provided from elsewhere, with cover divided between
Manston and
Humberside.
Situated off the B1078. Has one main asphalt runway of 2284m. The two shorter ones are now disued. Apron and main buildings to the south side. Remains a Diversion airfield.