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Coordinates: 54°02′56″N 001°15′10″W / 54.04889°N 1.25278°W / 54.04889; -1.25278
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'''RAF Linton-on-Ouse''' {{Airport codes|HRT|EGXU}} is a [[Royal Air Force]] station at [[Linton-on-Ouse]] in [[North Yorkshire]], [[England]], {{convert|10|mi}} north-west of [[York]]. It is currently a flying training centre. It has satellite stations at [[RAF Topcliffe]] and [[Dishforth Airfield]] (British Army).
'''RAF Linton-on-Ouse''' {{Airport codes|HRT|EGXU}} is a [[Royal Air Force]] station at [[Linton-on-Ouse]] in [[North Yorkshire]], [[England]], {{convert|10|mi}} north-west of [[York]]. It is currently a flying training centre. It has satellite stations at [[RAF Topcliffe]] and [[Dishforth Airfield]] (British Army).


With the transfer of pilot training to RAF Valley on Anglesey, the RAF confirmed that it would vacate Linton-on-Ouse by 2020 and look to dispose of the site altogether.
With the transfer of pilot training to [[RAF Valley]] on Anglesey, the RAF confirmed that it would vacate Linton-on-Ouse by 2020 and look to dispose of the site altogether.


== History ==
== History ==

Revision as of 18:36, 17 February 2019

RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Near Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire in England
The old air traffic control tower at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
A Flumine Impugnamus
(Error: {{language with name/for}}: missing language tag or language name (help))[1]
RAF Linton-on-Ouse is located in North Yorkshire
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Shown within North Yorkshire
Coordinates54°02′56″N 001°15′10″W / 54.04889°N 1.25278°W / 54.04889; -1.25278
TypeRoyal Air Force training station
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byNo. 22 Group (Training)
Websiteraf.mod.uk/raflintononouse/
Site history
Built1936 (1936)/7
In use1937–Present
Garrison information
Current
commander		Group Captain K D Taylor
Occupants
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: HRT, ICAO: EGXU, WMO: 03266
Elevation16.2 metres (53 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
03/21 1,834 metres (6,017 ft) Asphalt
10/28 1,338 metres (4,390 ft) Asphalt
Source: RAF Linton-on-Ouse Defence Aerodrome Manual[2]

RAF Linton-on-Ouse (IATA: HRT, ICAO: EGXU) is a Royal Air Force station at Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, England, 10 miles (16 km) north-west of York. It is currently a flying training centre. It has satellite stations at RAF Topcliffe and Dishforth Airfield (British Army).

With the transfer of pilot training to RAF Valley on Anglesey, the RAF confirmed that it would vacate Linton-on-Ouse by 2020 and look to dispose of the site altogether.

History

RAF Linton-on-Ouse opened on 13 May 1937 as a bomber airfield and was the home of No. 4 Group RAF until 1940.[3] The base's first commander was Wing Commander A.D.Pryor.[4]

When the Second World War began, bombers were launched from Linton to drop propaganda leaflets over Germany[3] and the base was eventually used to launch bombing raids on Norway, The Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.[3] Linton was one of 11 stations allocated to No. 6 Group, Royal Canadian Air Force during the war.

In May 1941 the station was bombed by the Luftwaffe resulting in the death of 13 airmen including the station commander, Group Captain Garroway.[5]

At the end of the war the station was involved with transporting passengers and freight back to the UK.[6] After which it became a Fighter Command station operating the Gloster Meteor, Canadair Sabre and Hawker Hunter until it was closed for maintenance in 1957.[6]

On 9 September 1957,[6] the base was reopened as the home of No. 1 Flying Training School (FTS) and was responsible for training pilots for both the RAF and the Navy.[6]

In 1985, engineering and supply services were contracted out to private firms. The contract for this is currently held by Babcock International.[7][8]

In 1999 the entire NCO married quarter site at Linton Woods were purchased by The Welbeck Estate Group and underwent a major upgrade.[9]

Role and operations

A Shorts Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 2013

Flying training

Today, Linton-on-Ouse provides Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) for those students selected for the Fast Jet (FJ) stream. On completion of the course, successful students are awarded their Wings and proceed to No 4 FTS, RAF Valley in Wales for their Advanced FJ Training. In addition, the base was formerly used by 642 VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron) which teaches Air Cadets to fly the Grob Vigilant aircraft.

The only squadron based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse is now 72 Squadron providing basic fast-jet training. The squadron holds Reserve status and is designated as 72(R). The squadron operates the Tucano T.1 and include both RAF and RN Fleet Air Arm personnel. Alongside this, Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron relocated to RAF Linton-on-Ouse from the then closing RAF Church Fenton in 2014. YUAS operate the Grob Tutor T1 aircraft.[10]

Until January 2012, a second training squadron, 207 Squadron was also resident, but was disbanded as a result of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review on 13 January 2012, 6 months short of the 10th anniversary or the Squadrons' reformation. Some of 207 Squadrons aircraft have been distributed to other units or bases for use or placed in withdrawn storage, but some remain in store on site to be used as reserve aircraft allowing rotation of aircraft to balance out the airframe life and to act as spares sources.

Other operations

The station also houses a memorial room (limited public opening) which recounts the history of the base and the units which have been associated with it.[11][12]

No 4 Squadron Royal Air Force Police, who form part of 1 Police Wing, RAF Police, are responsible for the policing and security of RAF Linton-on-Ouse and its satellite stations. RAF Police personnel also deploy on operations throughout the world from this role.[13][14][15]

Based units

The following notable flying and non-flying units are based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.[16][17]

Royal Air Force

No. 22 Group RAF

  • Air Training Corps
    • Central and East Yorkshire Wing Headquarters
    • No. 2487 (Linton-on-Ouse) Squadron
  • No4 Royal Air Force Police Sqn

European Defence Agency

  • Helicopter Composite Air Operations (COMAO) Planning Course

Satellite stations

Linton is responsible for two satellite stations; RAF Topcliffe and RAF Dishforth.

RAF Topcliffe

Main article: RAF Topcliffe

RAF Topcliffe was opened in 1940 as a bomber station under the control of RAF Bomber Command. In recent years the base has been primarily used for pilot training. It has been used by parachute display teams. The base is currently used by 645 and 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons to training members of the Air Training Corps and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

RAF Dishforth

Main article: Dishforth Airfield

RAF Dishforth opened in 1936 as a bomber airfield. After the war it began work as a training airfield and was used to convert pilots to the Douglas Dakota transport aircraft. The base is called Dishforth Airfield and until 2016 was used as an Army Air Corps helicopter base and as a relief landing ground for Linton-on-Ouse.

Future

In October 2014 it was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that basic fast-jet training will move from Linton-on-Ouse to RAF Valley in Anglesey in 2019. The move is part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) which will see the Beechcraft Texan T1 replace the Tucano T1 in the basic fast-jet training role.[18] At that time, the MOD had not confirmed what future role Linton-on-Ouse would have,[19] but in July 2018, it was confirmed that the RAF would vacate the base by 2020 and seek to dispose of the site completely.[20]

Motorsport

Linton-on-Ouse
LocationYorkshire, England
Opened1960
Closed1961
Websitehttp://www.raf.mod.uk/raflintononouse/

In the summer of 1960 and 1961, the perimeter track and parts of two runways were used to form the 1.7 mile, Linton-on-Ouse circuit, on what was still an operational RAF base, with the racing organised by the Northern of the British Racing and Sports Car Club. It would appear that only two meetings were held; 10 July 1960 and 9 July 1961.

The 1960 meeting was held in torrential rain and Tony Hodgetts recalls blue sparks coming off his fingers as he cranked the field telephone which was used by the marshals to communicate with race control. The meeting was dominated by Jimmy Blumer in his Cooper Monaco.

The final meeting in 1961 was marred by a fatal accident to a flag marshal. The driver of the Formula Junior car involved was a serving RAF officer and, following the inquest into the death of the marshal, the venue was no longer available. After this sad incident and a near fatality to another flag marshal at Full Sutton Circuit, Tony Hodgetts and Garth Nicholls started a campaign which resulted in flag marshals working face to face instead of back to back, a system which is still in use and is considerably safer.[21]

November 2008 incident

In early November 2008 Wing Commander Paul Gerrard, who is based at the station, was involved in an unusual mid-air rescue. Sixty-five-year-old Jim O'Neill was flying a four-seater Cessna 182 from Scotland to Essex after a family holiday, when he had a stroke which caused temporary blindness. Gerrard was on a training flight, and after being alerted to the situation, located O'Neill's aircraft and over a 45-minute period, guided O'Neill to a safe landing at Linton.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pine, L G (1983). A Dictionary of Mottoes. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 1. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^ "RAF Linton-on-Ouse Defence Aerodrome Manual (DAM)" (PDF). RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Military Aviation Authority. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Military Airfields of Yorkshire v. 4 – Page 122
  4. ^ 1938 Air Force Lists
  5. ^ "Bombing raid mystery is solved at RAF Linton-on-Ouse". York Press. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore Action Stations: Military Airfields of Yorkshire v. 4 – Page 130
  7. ^ "Babcock". RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Air". Babcock International. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Relatives of hero pilot visit building named in his honour". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  10. ^ "The History of Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron". UAS. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  11. ^ Delve 2006, p. 183.
  12. ^ "RAF Linton-on-Ouse Memorial Room". RAF website. 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  13. ^ "RAF - News by Date". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Road safety training for youngsters at Easingwold School". York Press. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  15. ^ "RAF - News and Weather". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  16. ^ "RAF Linton-on-Ouse – Who's Based Here". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 16 July 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  17. ^ "EDA helps improve joint helicopter mission planning". European Defence Agency. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  18. ^ "RAF pilot training boost welcomed". BBC News. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Future of RAF Linton-on-Ouse airbase in doubt". York Press. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  20. ^ Witherow, John, ed. (24 July 2018). "Red Arrows base axed in cost-cutting manoeuvre". The Times. No. 72595. p. 7. ISSN 0140-0460.
  21. ^ Swinger, Peter (2008). Motor Racing Circuits in England : Then & Now. Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0 7110 3104 5.
  22. ^ Wainwright, Martin (8 November 2008). "Pilot Struck blind in flight shepherded to safe landing by RAF". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 November 2008.

Bibliography

  • Delve, Ken. The military airfields of Northern England – County Durham, Cumbria, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire. Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press, 2006. ISBN 1-86126-809-2.
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