Long Kesh

Building work at RAF Long Kesh commenced in Nov 1940 and led to the opening of the airfield by the Royal Engineers in Nov 1941. It was first used for training in low-level close support during army exercises. With RAF Maghaberry as its satellite, it carried on a low-level role into 1942. The RAF airfield finally closed in 1946, being kept under care and maintenance until 1948 when it was then handed to the British Army as a REME vehicle depot.

From 1971 parts of the land became the Long Kesh Detention Centre and from 1976 the notorious H-blocks were built as part of HMP Maze.

The airfield remnant, adjacent to HMP Maze, was used by the AAC between 1972 and 1979.

The first six Sioux helicopters to be based there were moved from their Soltau base in West Germany as the situation in Northern Ireland deteriorated. The 657 Squadron machines were flown from Hannover to Aldergrove in two RAF Belfast transports on 14 and 15 Feb 1972. Within two hours they were re-assembled and ready to fly to the detachments new home.

At first (summer 1972) Long Kesh was used by a mixture of 5 Scout and 5 Sioux helicopters (661 Sq), with 659 and 660 Squadrons in 1973. From 1976 onwards these gave way to a regular rotation of six Scouts and six Gazelles. The last detachment left in 1979, with the formation of the Northern Ireland Regiment.

The Maze prison remained open until 2000.

The Ulster Aviation Society moved its fine museum here from Langford Lodge in 2004/2005, occupying in hangars on the north west of the site.