South Cerney

Satellite and aerial maps of South Cerney with nearby locations

Nearby locations	Km	Bearing
Oaksey Park , England	9.0	225	EGTW
Cotswold / Kemble , England	9.6	256	EGBP
Fairford , England	9.6	093	EGVA
Aston Down , England	14.6	277
REME Museum , England	20.8	189
MoD Lyneham , England	21.0	193	EGDL

South Cerney

1937 to present
51° 41' 20'' N 1° 55' 20'' W
2 nm SE of Cirencester, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
ICAO:	IATA:
Elevation: 350 feet

RAF South Cerney was opened in 1937 as part of the pre-war expansion programme but was run down shortly after WWII ended. It reopened in 1948 for the basic stages of the CFS training schedule but was closed again during 1949. The Korean War increased the demand for aircrews and the base was reopened to increase the throughput of students. Operational flying ceased and the base was handed over to the Army.

Since 1971 it has been used by 29 Movements Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport as the South Cerney Air Mounting Centre at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, to coordinate major deployments via the nearby bases at RAF Lyneham (now closed) and RAF Brize Norton or the Marchwood Military Port, near Southampton. It is still used for exercises and as a drop zone.

It looks like they've torn down the old buildings. I worked out of South Cerney in the 1980's, flying American Chinooks in support of British operations. Great people, wonderful time, and an awesome old aerodrome. Sorry the old buildings are gone, but time marches on. Sometimes faster than we'd prefer.