RAF Benson, Offas Close, Benson, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England, OX10 6AA, United Kingdom

Nearby Locations

		Km
Chalgrove	EGLJ	6.7	011°
Chiltern Park	GB0157	7.2	180°
High Ropes Oxford		10.3	301°
Stonor		11.2	099°
Denton		11.7	345°
Dalton Barracks	EGUD	17.1	299°

Built towards the end of the RAF's 1930s expansion programme, Benson opened in Apr 1939 as a light bomber base and later temporary home to the King's Flight. In 1941, its famous association with Photographic Reconnaissance began and continued until 1951 (a replica Spitfire PR.XI is still the gate guardian). Around 1943, the base was expanded and two paved runways laid. In May 1946, the King's Flight returned and became the Queen's Flight in 1953. After a period with Transport Command, Benson became more heavily involved in rotary wing operations.

The Wessex Training Flight was based between 1980 and 1982. In Jun 1992 Helicopter operations stepped up with the re-formation of 60 Squadron, here. In Apr 1993, this was further strengthened when HQ Support Helicopter Force moved in from RAF Gütersloh in Germany. In Apr 1997, 60 Squadron moved to RAF Shawbury, as part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, 33 Squadron arrived from RAF Odiham to replace them, to be joined in Jan 1998 by the Pumas from 27 Squadron. The base was affected by the re-tasking of the Support Helicopter Force and its assets to Joint Helicopter Command in Oct 1999. In Jul 2001, they were joined by the newly reformed 28(AC) Squadron's Merlin HC.3s.

Units

			Abrev
	Thames Valley PoliceTVP		TVP
1953-1995	Queens Flight
1980-1982	Wessex Training Flight	Wessex TF
1981	72 Squadron
1992-1997	60(R) Squadron
1996-	606 (Chiltern) Squadron, RAuxAF
1997-2025	33 Squadron
2001-	28 Squadron
2007-	Thames Valley Air AmbulanceTVAA		TVAA
2007-2014	78 Squadron
2009-	230 Squadron
2012-	NPASNPAS	National Police Air Service	NPAS
2014-2015	846 Squadron846 NAS	846 Naval Air Squadron	846 NAS
2015-	Puma and Chinook Operational Conversion UnitPCOCU		PCOCU
2015-2016	845 Squadron845 NAS	845 Naval Air Squadron	845 NAS
2020-	22 Squadron

News

Airbus Delivers First Jupiter HC2 Helicopter to RAF Benson

Dec 17, 2025 · The first of six Airbus H145D3 five-bladed helicopters has been delivered to RAF Benson for training. The Jupiter HC2 will replace the Bell 212 operated by 667 Squadron Army Air Corps in Brunei and the Bell 412 flown by 84 Squadron Royal Air Force in
Thames Valley Air Ambulance Hits 20,000 Calls

Jul 23, 2025 · The Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVVA) has answered its 20,000th call out since it became an independent healthcare provider in 2018
Heli-One Recognized RAF Benson Puma Fleet Plan

Oct 27, 2022 · Heli-One, CHC MRO provider, presented its Award for Engineering Excellence to RAF Benson Sergeant Burns for assuring the current and future delivery of Puma helicopter capability through Fleet Plan
RAF Pumas Returns from Afghanistan

Jun 28, 2021 · As part of UK Armed Forces process of withdrawing from Afghanistan the RAF Puma helicopters deployed with NATO Resolute Support Mission since March 2015 returned to RAF Benson
RAF 22 Squadron Now OEU at RAF Benson

May 20, 2020 · After 60 years serving as a Search and Rescue unit, Royal Air Force 22 Squadron was designated Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) for the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC). The OEU mission is to evaluate aircraft’s weapons, systems and performance
Tiger Puma to Celebrate RAF 230 Squadron 100 Years

May 9, 2018 · Royal Air Froce 230 Squadron celebrating its 100 years with Puma helicopter painted in Tiger colour scheme

Oct 23, 2017 · UK MoD’ MSHATF Renewed with CAE
Jan 13, 2016 · RAF 33 Squadron Marks 100 Years
Oct 23, 2015 · Chinooks Arrive At RAF Benson

May 12, 2015 · Thames Valley Air Ambulance New Training Base
Oct 1, 2014 · Royal Air Force Hand Over Merlin To Royal Navy
Jul 3, 2012 · UK Marines learn about AW101 at RAF Benson

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RAF Benson

EGUB · BEX