RAF Boulmer

Royal Air Force Boulmer
File:Rafboulmer.jpg Station badge
Active	1953 – Present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Operational
Role	Air Surveillance and Control and also Search and rescue
Size	1100 Service personnel, civil servants and contractors
Located	30 miles north of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Motto(s)	‘semper in exubitu vigilans’ ('Always the Vigilant Sentry')
March	Royal Air Force March Past
Commanders
Current commander	Group Captain J B Portlock MA RAF

RAF Boulmer (pronounced /ˈbuːmɚ/) (IATA: N/A, ICAO: EGQM) is a Royal Air Force station near Alnwick in Northumberland and is currently home to Aerospace Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) Force Command, Control and Reporting Centre Boulmer, the School of Aerospace Battle Management, No. 202 Squadron RAF search and rescue, and support staff.

History

WWII

In 1940 a decoy airfield was set up near the village of Boulmer in order to divert German attacks from nearby RAF airfields such as RAF Acklington. As the air threat to the United Kingdom receded, the decoy airfield, with its grass runways and plywood and canvas Hurricanes, was abandoned. In March 1943 RAF Boulmer was re-opened as a satellite airfield to house the advanced flights of No 57 Operational Training Unit (a Spitfire training Unit based at RAF Eshott, Boulmer's parent unit). During this period, there were three tarmac runways and a unit of the RAF Regiment defended the Station. In November 1943 RAF Boulmer became home to No 9 Battle Training School, in which night flying, dive-bombing, strafing, bouncer, and chase tactics were taught. As the war ended the airfield closed, reverting to agricultural use. Part of the airfield formed the basis of a caravan site with the runway and taxiway being used as an access road to the site. The site remains and is called Seaton Park.

Cold War

By 1950, the threat of the Atomic bomb had caused a serious rethink in the organisation of air defence and a plan, codenamed ROTOR, was brought in to replace many of the existing stations with new protected underground operations rooms. The site chosen for one of these new underground Ground-controlled interception (GCI) stations was close to the former RAF Boulmer which had been returned to agriculture at the end of WW2.

The station was to have a two level underground operations room designated as an R3. The R3 was never intended to survive a direct hit from a nuclear weapon but was designed to withstand a near miss from Russian bombing with 2,200lb armour-piercing high explosive bombs dropped from 35,000 feet.

A target date for completion of the station was set as 21st August 1953 and although not complete, the station opened on time with limited capabilities using an American AN/FPS3 long-range search radar and an AN/TPS10 height finder. The station became known as 500 Signals Unit under the control of RAF Acklington and part of 13 Group. On completion of the R3 in September 1954 the station became fully operational and RAF Boulmer became an independent unit for the first time.

In the autumn of 1957 RAF Boulmer was designated a Group Control Centre, with responsibility for the RAF Radar Stations at Buchan and Killard Point. By 1958, Boulmer was selected to be upgraded with the installation of the more modern high powered Type 84 Surveillance radar. This increased the range of detection and was able to penetrate the latest Soviet jamming technology.

In 1971 Border Radar was established at Boulmer, this was a joint military/civil facility providing air traffic control services to coordinate civil and military traffic. Although still operational until the late 1980s, the unit closed when all Area Air Traffic Services were centralised between West Drayton and Prestwick.

By 1974 the Station had evolved to become both a Sector Operations Centre (SOC) and Control and Reporting Centre (CRC). During this time, fighter controllers from Boulmer routinely detected Soviet aircraft probing the UK Air Defence Region and scrambled Quick Reaction Alert aircraft to intercept them before they reached UK airspace.

In 1978 RAF Boulmer took on a new additional role as a search and rescue station following the closure of RAF Acklington, a role that it still fulfils today. Initially the station was equipped with Westland Whirlwind helicopters however in December 1978 the station was re-equipped with the more capable Westland Sea King aircraft.

The next major change came in 1982 when the R3 bunker was vacated and work begun to upgrade it to an R3A. During this period the CRC was relocated to an above ground facility while the work was carried out.

In 1990, Boulmer’s links with Air Defence was reinforced by the arrival of the School of Fighter Control from RAF West Drayton. Following an extensive refurbishment the bunker was returned to operations in 1993. However, with the end of the Cold War the CRC was used in a standby role only with the homeland defence task being conducted from RAF Buchan and RAF Neatishead.

Post Cold War

In 1994 No 1 Air Control Centre (No 1 ACC) reformed at RAF Boulmer, providing the Royal Air Force with a highly-capable, rapidly-deployable fielded air command and control capability. Later equipped with BAE Systems Type 101 Air Defence Radars, they played a key role in Operation TELIC following the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq.

In 2002, the Station began a major refurbishment of the underground bunker and installation of new equipment as part of the UKADGE Capability Maintenance Programme (UCMP). Valued at £60 million, the first phase of the programme was declared operational at RAF Boulmer on 16 August 2004.

In 2004 RAF Boulmer's newly-refurbished NATO Control Reporting Centre (CRC) took over all air defence functions previously administered by the CRCs at RAF Buchan and RAF Neatishead. As the main CRC in the UK, Boulmer has responsibility for 24-hour surveillance of the UK's airspace, as well as liaison with NATO allies around Europe, in order to maintain an effective air defence cover for NATO's Northern Air Defence Region.

On 1 September 2004 it also assumed responsibility, in addition to the Type 93 radar at RRH Brizlee Wood (9 miles west of the Boulmer) for the Type 92 radars at RAF Buchan and RAF Benbecula.

In late July 2004 it was announced that RAF Boulmer would close by 2012, with the majority of its functions transferring to RAF Scampton. The first action taken in response to this announcement was for No 1 ACC to move to RAF Kirton in Lindsey, a former RAF Fighter Command airfield in Lincolnshire. This would bring the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) closer together (the new CRC at RAF Scampton and the E3 Sentry force at RAF Waddington both also belonging to the ASACS Force). No 1 ACC's move to Kirton was completed in early 2005. Later that same year, due to perceived difficulties with funding for Scampton, a review was announced into the decision to close Boulmer.

On 10 January 2008 it was announced that a study had been conducted into where to locate the elements of the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS). The results concluded that the best option in both financial and operational terms is to retain RAF Boulmer as the ASACS hub and as a result the station would stay open beyond 2012.

Who is located here

• Station Headquarters (SHQ)
• Air Surveillance and Control Systems Force Command
• Control and Reporting Centre
• School of Aerospace Battle Management
• Support Wing
• No. 202 Squadron RAF
• Engineering and Supply Squadron

File:CRC Boulmer.jpg

RAF Boulmer Operations site

Control and Reporting Centre

The Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Boulmer is tasked with compiling a Recognised Air Picture within NATO Air Policing Area 9, and providing tactical control of the Quick Reaction Alert Force. The CRC also supports the training of students undergoing training at the School of Aerospace Battle Management and controls military aircraft on routine training missions. Furthermore, the CRC provides trained personnel for out of area operations, currently ranging from The Falkland Islands to the Middle East. The unit also provides the UK’s tactical control facility for the combat training of air defence, ground attack and air-to-air refuelling aircraft and participates daily in Joint training with the Royal Navy, exchanging air picture information by both digital data link and voice nets with ships at sea.

During the summer of 2004, following the closure of CRC Neatishead in Norfolk, completion of the refurbishment of the underground bunker at RAF Boulmer marked the arrival of over 250 personnel to man the Unit. Following operational assessment of the new equipment, CRC Boulmer assumed 24/7/60/60 operations on 16 August 2004.

In summary, the CRC is manned 24/7/60/60 to support both NATO and national Quick Reaction Alert requirements. Managing the UK’s network-enabled capability for the Homeland Defence task, the CRC also supports the training of Air Surveillance and Control System personnel and our aircrew for deployment on operations worldwide.

School of Aerospace Battle Management

The RAF School of Aerospace Battle Management (SABM), formerly called the School of Fighter Control (SFC) is part of Chief of Staff Operations organisation, Air Command and has been located at RAF Boulmer since 1990. Commanded by a Wing Commander, the School of Fighter Control was formed in 1940 and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II awarded the Unit its own crest in 1958. The school's motto is 'Disce ut dirigas' which means 'Learn that we may guide'.

The SABM plays a central part in delivering the training required by Aerospace Battle Manager officers (ABMs) of the Operations Support Branch and airmen and airwomen of the Aerospace Systems Operator (ASOp) and Aerospace Systems Manager Trade Group. It is also recognized as a centre of excellence for tactical Airspace Battle Management and provides training for the RAF's sister Services, NATO and other foreign national military personnel. Between 800 and 850 students attend one of the 30 different courses each year.

• A Squadron is responsible for ABM courses for Officers and selected airmen and airwomen in both the Weapons Control and Surveillance sub specializations. These ABMs and Aerospace Systems Managers not only play a pivotal role in homeland defence but also deploy out of area in support of operations defending the United Kingdom’s interests as well as strengthening international peace and security.
• B Squadron is responsible for Post Graduate, Advanced and Executive courses for selected Officers and SNCOs. It also provides training for airmen and airwomen of the ASOp trade group and delivers promotion courses for selected airmen and airwomen of the ASOp and Aerospace Systems Managers Trade Group. Principally, the Squadron delivers core training to develop the employment of officers, airmen and airwomen, as well as personnel from sister services, in aspects of air Command and Control and airspace battle management, at the tactical level, to support single-service, joint and multi-national air operations. The Squadron also provides specialist radar and data links courses for selected officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and airmen or airwomen and Pre-Employment Training courses for selected UK ASACS engineering officers, as resources permit. Finally, B Squadron offers advanced and executive fighter control training to selected International Students.
• C Squadron is responsible for ensuring that the high standards required from a centre of excellence are maintained; this includes the delivery of practical and theoretical lessons as well as all aspects of course maintenance. It also provides all of the support services within the School of Aerospace Battle Management, specialist training courses for instructors posted to the School, management of the National Vocational Qualification scheme and training for foreign exchange officers.

Engineering and Supply Squadron

The Engineering and Supply Squadron, including the radars at RRH Brizlee Wood, RAF Buchan and RAF Benbecula and the Communications System Engineering Flight are under the command of the Officer Commanding Control and Reporting Centre at RAF Boulmer. The MT and SERCo Supply elements are under the command of Officer Commanding Support Wing.

Engineering and Supply Squadron began life on the Operations Site at RAF Boulmer some fifty years ago and throughout the intervening years, has been shaped by a combination of technological change, strategic planning and administrative accountability into what is today, a centre of outstanding engineering excellence.

From the early days of radar (Linesman and Mediator), through the Cold War years of the Type 84 and Type 85 radars, until the present day, the Squadron has been entrusted with bearing the torch for Boulmer and, in ensuring the sustainability of the Unit's many assets finds itself at the very forefront of leading edge technology and provides collectively the engineering backbone of the modern United Kingdom Air Surveillance and Control System. In late 2008, RRH Brizlee Wood took delivery of the BAe Systems T102 radar, a replacement for the ageing T93.

At the very heart of the UK air defence network almost 225, engineering, supply, Mechanical Transport (MT) and technical administration staff, provide continuous 24-hour support to the Station throughout the year.

202 Squadron

'A' Flight is one of the 3 operational Flights of 202 Squadron and is based at RAF Boulmer. The Flight is commanded by a squadron leader and consists of approximately 20 aircrew, 30 engineers and 8 support staff. Using the ageing - but highly capable - Sea King Mark 3 helicopter, 'A' Flight provides round the clock search and rescue cover for a large area, stretching from Fife in the north to Hartlepool in the south and encompasses the Lake District in the west. The eastern boundary is very fluid with flights having been known to end up in Norway following a rescue.

Other Facilities

RAF Boulmer also has a 25 metre shooting range that is often used by Air Cadets of Durham/ Northumberland Wing, ATC

Affiliations

The station is affiliated to HMS Northumberland.

See also

• List of RAF stations
• RAF Scampton
• RAF Buchan
• RAF Neatishead
• No. 202 Squadron RAF

External links

• RAF Boulmer home page
• Subterranea Britannica page on RAF Boulmer
• BBC News video on CRC Boulmer