RAF Boulmer
Encyclopedia
RAF Boulmer (ˈbuːmɚ) 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.
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.
, 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
.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
station near Alnwick
Alnwick
Alnwick is a small market town in north Northumberland, England. The town's population was just over 8000 at the time of the 2001 census and Alnwick's district population was 31,029....
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
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
No. 202 Squadron RAF
No. 202 Squadron of the Royal Air Force presently operates the Sea King HAR.3 in the Search and rescue role at three stations in the northern half of the United Kingdom. It was originally formed as one of the first aeroplane squadrons of the RNAS before it became part of the RAF.-Formation and...
search and rescue, and support staff.
WWII
In 1940 a decoy airfield was set up near the village of BoulmerBoulmer
Boulmer is a village in Northumberland, in England. It is situated on the North Sea coast to the east of Alnwick.It is home to RAF Boulmer which is one of the main search and rescue helicopter bases in the northeast of England....
in order to divert German attacks from nearby RAF airfields such as RAF Acklington
RAF Acklington
The former Royal Air Force Station Acklington, commonly known as RAF Acklington, was a Royal Air Force airfield airbase situated near Acklington, in Northumberland, England....
. 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
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
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 ROTORROTOR
ROTOR was a huge and elaborate air defence radar system built by the British Government in the early 1950s to counter possible attack by Soviet bombers...
, 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
Ground-controlled interception
Ground-controlled interception an air defense tactic whereby one or more radar stations are linked to a command communications centre which guides interceptor aircraft to an airborne target. This tactic was pioneered during World War II by the Royal Air Force with the Luftwaffe to follow closely...
(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
Bendix AN/FPS-3 Radar
The AN/FPS-3 Radar was a Long Range Search Radar used by the United States Air Force Air Defense Command.The AN/FPS-3 was an early Cold War radar which was a modified version of the World War II AN/CPS-5 long-range search radar. Bell Telephone Laboratories and General Electric developed the...
long-range search radar and an AN/TPS10
Radio Corporation of America AN/FPS-4 Radar
The AN/FPS-4 Radar was a Height-Finder Radar used by the United States Air Force Air Defense Command.MIT's Radiation Laboratory developed and produced the first version of this radar near the end of World War II. Zenith produced the A-model sets in the post-war period. The vertically mounted...
height finder. The station became known as 500 Signals Unit under the control of RAF Acklington
RAF Acklington
The former Royal Air Force Station Acklington, commonly known as RAF Acklington, was a Royal Air Force airfield airbase situated near Acklington, in Northumberland, England....
and part of 13 Group
No. 13 Group RAF
No. 13 Group was a group in the Royal Air Force for various periods in the 20th century. It is most famous for having the responsibility for defending the North of Great Britain during the Battle of Britain-World War I:...
. 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
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
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
RAF Buchan
RAF Buchan is a Royal Air Force station near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. It has been there since 1952, although the domestic site in Boddam is now closed. Until 2005 it was also home of one of the two Control and Reporting Centres for the United Kingdom in the form of an impressive two story...
and RAF Neatishead
RAF Neatishead
RRH Neatishead, is a Royal Air Force military radar station in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia, and was established during the Second World War. It consists of the main technical site, and a number of remote, and sometimes unmanned sites....
.
Post Cold War
In 1994 No 1 Air Control Centre (No 1 ACC) reformed at RAF Boulmer, providing the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
with a highly-capable, rapidly-deployable fielded air command and control capability. Later equipped with BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
Type 101 Air Defence Radars, they played a key role in Operation TELIC
Operation Telic
Operation TELIC was the codename under which all British military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the Invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May 2011...
following the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
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
RAF Buchan
RAF Buchan is a Royal Air Force station near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. It has been there since 1952, although the domestic site in Boddam is now closed. Until 2005 it was also home of one of the two Control and Reporting Centres for the United Kingdom in the form of an impressive two story...
and RAF Neatishead
RAF Neatishead
RRH Neatishead, is a Royal Air Force military radar station in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia, and was established during the Second World War. It consists of the main technical site, and a number of remote, and sometimes unmanned sites....
. 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
RAF Buchan
RAF Buchan is a Royal Air Force station near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. It has been there since 1952, although the domestic site in Boddam is now closed. Until 2005 it was also home of one of the two Control and Reporting Centres for the United Kingdom in the form of an impressive two story...
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
RAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
. The first action taken in response to this announcement was for No 1 ACC to move to RAF Kirton in Lindsey
RAF Kirton in Lindsey
RAF Kirton in Lindsey is a Royal Air Force airfield in Lincolnshire. The field is located 15 miles north of Lincoln.It hosts No.1 Air Control Centre , the RAF’s only deployable ground-based early warning and air control radar unit, parented by RAF Scampton.-First World War:The Royal Flying Corps...
, a former RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
airfield in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
. This would bring the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) closer together (the new CRC at RAF Scampton
RAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
and the E3 Sentry
E-3 Sentry
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
force at RAF Waddington
RAF Waddington
RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.-Formation:Waddington opened as a Royal Flying Corps flying training station in 1916 until 1920, when the station went into care and maintenance....
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 RAFNo. 202 Squadron RAFNo. 202 Squadron of the Royal Air Force presently operates the Sea King HAR.3 in the Search and rescue role at three stations in the northern half of the United Kingdom. It was originally formed as one of the first aeroplane squadrons of the RNAS before it became part of the RAF.-Formation and...
- Engineering and Supply Squadron
Control and Reporting Centre
The Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Boulmer is tasked with compiling a Recognised Air PictureRecognized Air Picture
A Recognized Air Picture or RAP is a complete listing of all aircraft in flight within a particular airspace, with each aircraft being identified as friendly or hostile, and ideally containing additional information such as type of aircraft, flight number, and flight plan...
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
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far 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
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, 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 CommandAir Command
Air Command may refer to:* Royal Canadian Air Force, known as Air Command from 1968 to 2011* RAAF Air Command * RAF Air Command * Air Command International Gyrocopter manufacturers....
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 QualificationNational Vocational QualificationNational Vocational Qualifications are work based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish 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 BuchanRAF Buchan
RAF Buchan is a Royal Air Force station near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. It has been there since 1952, although the domestic site in Boddam is now closed. Until 2005 it was also home of one of the two Control and Reporting Centres for the United Kingdom in the form of an impressive two story...
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
Serco Group
Serco Group plc is a government services company based in Hook, North Hampshire in the United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.-History:...
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 leaderSquadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
and consists of approximately 20 aircrew, 30 engineers and 8 support staff. Using the ageing - but highly capable - Sea King Mark 3 helicopter
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
, 'A' Flight provides round the clock search and rescue cover for a large area, stretching from Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
in the north to Hartlepool
Hartlepool
Hartlepool is a town and port in North East England.It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrian monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from...
in the south and encompasses the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
in the west. The eastern boundary is very fluid with flights having been known to end up in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
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, ATCSee also
- List of RAF stations
- RAF ScamptonRAF ScamptonRoyal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
- RAF BuchanRAF BuchanRAF Buchan is a Royal Air Force station near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. It has been there since 1952, although the domestic site in Boddam is now closed. Until 2005 it was also home of one of the two Control and Reporting Centres for the United Kingdom in the form of an impressive two story...
- RAF NeatisheadRAF NeatisheadRRH Neatishead, is a Royal Air Force military radar station in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia, and was established during the Second World War. It consists of the main technical site, and a number of remote, and sometimes unmanned sites....
- No. 202 Squadron RAFNo. 202 Squadron RAFNo. 202 Squadron of the Royal Air Force presently operates the Sea King HAR.3 in the Search and rescue role at three stations in the northern half of the United Kingdom. It was originally formed as one of the first aeroplane squadrons of the RNAS before it became part of the RAF.-Formation and...