RAF Menwith Hill
Encyclopedia
RAF Menwith Hill is a Royal Air Force
station near Harrogate
, North Yorkshire
which provides communications and intelligence support services to the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The site contains an extensive satellite
ground station and is a communications intercept and missile warning site and has been described as the largest electronic monitoring station in the world.
RAF Menwith Hill is commanded by a Royal Air Force
Officer, supported by an RAF element, whilst the majority of support services are provided by the United States Air Force
, 421st Air Base Group.
The site acts as a ground station for a number of satellite
s operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office
, on behalf of the US National Security Agency
, with antennae contained in a large number of highly distinctive white radomes, and is alleged to be an element of the ECHELON
system.
Menwith Hill Station was opened on 545 acres (2.2 km²) of land acquired by the British War Office
in 1954 and leased to the United States. The U.S. Army Security Agency established a high frequency
radio monitoring capability, monitoring communications emanating from the Soviet Union
, operating from 1958.
In 1966 the National Security Agency
took on responsibility for the U.S. operation of the site, expanding the capabilities to monitor international leased line communications transiting through Britain. The site was then one of the earliest to receive sophisticated early IBM computers, with which NSA automated the labour-intensive watch-list scrutiny of intercepted but unenciphered telex messages.
The European Parliament's Temporary Committee on the ECHELON Interception System stated: "It seems likely, in view of the evidence and the consistent pattern of statements from a very wide range of individuals and organisations, including American sources, that its name is in fact ECHELON, although this is a relatively minor detail." During the early 1970s, the first of what became more than eight large satellite communications dishes were installed at Menwith Hill.
Objections to the Strategic Defense Initiative
have led to demonstrators storming the perimeter fence. and to demands in 2007 from Labour
MP
s for a full debate about missile defence and Menwith Hill. Actions continue into 2006.
One particular local activist, Lindis Percy
, was prosecuted, over a protracted period, under a number of different laws.
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 Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
which provides communications and intelligence support services to the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The site contains an extensive satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
ground station and is a communications intercept and missile warning site and has been described as the largest electronic monitoring station in the world.
RAF Menwith Hill is commanded by a Royal Air Force
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...
Officer, supported by an RAF element, whilst the majority of support services are provided by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, 421st Air Base Group.
The site acts as a ground station for a number of satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
s operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office
National Reconnaissance Office
The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
, on behalf of the US National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
, with antennae contained in a large number of highly distinctive white radomes, and is alleged to be an element of the ECHELON
ECHELON
ECHELON is a name used in global media and in popular culture to describe a signals intelligence collection and analysis network operated on behalf of the five signatory states to the UK–USA Security Agreement...
system.
History
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
in 1954 and leased to the United States. The U.S. Army Security Agency established a high frequency
High frequency
High frequency radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. Also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decameters . Frequencies immediately below HF are denoted Medium-frequency , and the next higher frequencies are known as Very high frequency...
radio monitoring capability, monitoring communications emanating from the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, operating from 1958.
In 1966 the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
took on responsibility for the U.S. operation of the site, expanding the capabilities to monitor international leased line communications transiting through Britain. The site was then one of the earliest to receive sophisticated early IBM computers, with which NSA automated the labour-intensive watch-list scrutiny of intercepted but unenciphered telex messages.
The European Parliament's Temporary Committee on the ECHELON Interception System stated: "It seems likely, in view of the evidence and the consistent pattern of statements from a very wide range of individuals and organisations, including American sources, that its name is in fact ECHELON, although this is a relatively minor detail." During the early 1970s, the first of what became more than eight large satellite communications dishes were installed at Menwith Hill.
Demonstrations
Between 1984 and 1995 a number of peace camps were established in close proximity to the station. A number of other individual protests have also taken place, predominantly related to nuclear proliferation and strategic missile defense. Protests also occurred at other US military locations in the UK such as Greenham Common.Objections to the Strategic Defense Initiative
Strategic Defense Initiative
The Strategic Defense Initiative was proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 23, 1983 to use ground and space-based systems to protect the United States from attack by strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. The initiative focused on strategic defense rather than the prior strategic...
have led to demonstrators storming the perimeter fence. and to demands in 2007 from Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
s for a full debate about missile defence and Menwith Hill. Actions continue into 2006.
One particular local activist, Lindis Percy
Lindis Percy
Lindis Percy is a prominent peace activist in the United Kingdom and founding member and joint coordinator of the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases. Reporting for The Guardian, journalist Rob Evans claimed that "there must surely be few Britons who have been arrested in political...
, was prosecuted, over a protracted period, under a number of different laws.
See also
- List of RAF stations
- Listening station
- Menwith Hill Elementary/High SchoolMenwith Hill Elementary/High SchoolMenwith Hill Elementary/High School is an American facility located at RAF Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire, England.-Staff:* Principal: Leslie Bryan* Asst. Principal: Ursula Bleck* Counselor: Dr. Robin Gunderson-Teaching:...
- United States Air Forces in EuropeUnited States Air Forces in EuropeThe United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
- United States Air Force in the United KingdomUnited States Air Force in the United KingdomSince 1941 the United States has maintained air bases in the United Kingdom. Major Commands of the USAF having bases in the United Kingdom were the United States Air Forces in Europe , Strategic Air Command , and Air Mobility Command .-Origins:...