Wikipedia

RAF Benson

"BEX" redirects here. For the airline that operated under that code, seeBusiness Express Airlines.For other uses, seeBex (disambiguation).

Royal Air Force BensonorRAF Benson(IATA:BEX,ICAO:EGUB) is aRoyal Air Force(RAF)stationlocated atBenson,nearWallingford,inSouth Oxfordshire,England. It is a front-line station and home to the RAF's fleet ofWestland Puma HC2support helicopters, used primarily for the transportation of troops & equipment. Flying squadrons compriseNo. 33 Squadronflying the Puma,No. 22 Squadronwhich providesoperational evaluation and trainingfor all aircraft inJoint Aviation CommandandNo. 28 Squadron,which is the combined Puma andBoeing Chinook HC6Atraining unit. Other units include theOxford University Air SquadronandNo. 6 Air Experience Flight,both flying theGrob Tutor T1light training aircraft used for student andcadetflying training. TheNational Police Air Serviceand theThames Valley Air Ambulanceare also based at the station, both operatingAirbus H135helicopters.

RAF Benson
NearWallingford,Oxfordshirein England
Benson village (left) and RAF Benson (centre and right) from the air
Spectemur agendo
(Latinfor 'Let us be judged by our acts')[1]
RAF Benson is located in Oxfordshire
RAF Benson
RAF Benson
Shown within Oxfordshire
RAF Benson is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Benson
RAF Benson
RAF Benson (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates51°36′59″N001°05′45″W/ 51.61639°N 1.09583°W/51.61639; -1.09583
TypeMain Operating Base
CodeEB
Area261 hectares (640 acres)
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byJoint Aviation Command
No. 2 Group RAF
ConditionOperational
WebsiteOfficial website
Site history
Built1938(1938)–1939
Built byJohn Laing & Son Ltd
In useApril 1939 – present
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Cold War
Garrison information
Current
commander		Wing CommanderLaurie Tostevin
Occupants SeeBased unitssection for full list.
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA:BEX,ICAO:EGUB,WMO:3658
Elevation61.8 metres (203 ft)AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
01/19 1,825 metres (5,988 ft)Asphaltandconcrete
Source:RAF Benson Defence Aerodrome Manual[2]

RAF Benson opened in 1939 and during theSecond World Warit was tasked with training aircrews on theFairey Battlelight bomber andAvro Ansontraining aircraft. It was later home to squadrons flying theSupermarine Spitfireandde Havilland Mosquitowhich operated in thephotographic reconnaissancerole. Benson operated underRAF Transport Commandthroughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1970s, various communications and administrative units were present and in the early 1990s the station began its association with the support helicopter force.

History

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Early years and the Second World War

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Fairey BattlesofNo. 12 Operational Training Unitbased at RAF Benson during July 1940

Construction of RAF Benson began in 1937 as part of the 1930s RAF expansion programme which was largely a response to the threat of war withNazi Germany.[3]Construction was undertaken by contractorsJohn Laing & Son.[4]Benson was officially opened as an RAF station underNo. 6 Groupin early 1939.[5][6][Note 1]

The station's first tenants were two squadrons ofFairey Battlelight bombers.No. 103 Squadronstarted flying in on 3 April 1939, to be joined over the next few months byNo. 150 Squadron.[5]Once theSecond World Warstarted, both squadrons moved to France as part of theAdvanced Air Striking Force.[6]1939 also saw the establishment ofNo. 12 Operational Training Unit(No. 12 OTU), tasked with training pilots,observersandair gunnerson the Fairey Battle andAvro Anson.[7]In the early hours of 2 August 1940, a Battle took off from Benson for a cross-country training exercise but crashed into a nearby hill. The crew includedRichard Ormonde Shuttleworth,founder of theShuttleworth Collection,who was killed.[8]

Benson's long association with royalty began in September 1940, when theKing's Flightrelocated to the station.[6]This initial association was short-lived, as the flight was disbanded in 1942 to form the core ofNo. 161 SquadronatRAF Newmarket,to which responsibility for the transportation of royalty was transferred. The Battles and Ansons of No. 12 OTU were replaced in December 1940 withVickers Wellingtonmedium bombers.[5][7]

A Type F.8 Mark II (20-inch lens) aerial camera being loaded into aSupermarine Spitfire PR.IVat RAF Benson during theSecond World War

Benson was selected in 1941 as the home station ofNo. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit(No. 1 PRU), an experimental unit tasked with evaluating and developing new methods of obtainingphotographic intelligenceover enemy territory, led by pioneer in the fieldSquadron LeaderSidney Cotton.[7]UtilisingSupermarine Spitfires,the unit found that theircamouflageand operating altitude allowed them to remain virtually invisible to enemy defences and avoid interception. Additional fuel tanks on the Spitfires allowed missions to take place deep into enemy territory.[7]Analysis of imagery was undertaken by the intelligence unit at nearby Ewelme Manor, a short distance from the station.[6]The unit was the first to discover theGermany NavybattleshipBismarck,nearBergenin May 1941. Later that month the vessel was destroyed by theAlliesin the North Atlantic. As a result of such work, the station gained considerable fame as the home of photographic reconnaissance for the remainder of the war.[7]

New paved runways were built in 1942,[6]one of which required the permanent closure of the Old London Road in Benson. As a result, theRoyal Engineersbuilt the present road (part of theA4074) between Benson andCrowmarsh.[7]

In June 1943, No. 1 PRU was formed into No. 106 Wing, with five units (No. 540,No. 541,No. 542,No. 543andNo. 544 Squadrons).[7]The wing was elevated to the status ofNo. 106 (Photo Reconnaissance) Groupin April 1944, with twode Havilland Mosquitoand two Spitfire squadrons (No. 543 Squadron having been disbanded when the aircraft strength per squadron was increased). The group was assigned toCoastal Command'sphoto reconnaissance assets, with the whole of Northern Europe as its operational area.[9]Spitfire and Mosquito aircraft flew missions over occupied Europe, including the provision of battle damage assessment images afterOperation Chastise,the attack on German dams byNo. 617 Squadronin May 1943.[10]

By December 1944, Benson had two runways extending to 609 metres (666 yd; 1,998 ft) which had been constructed using concrete andwood-chips.There was a selection of hangar types, including four C-type hangars, four over-size (O)blister hangarsand fourteen extra-over-size (EO) blister hangars. Ten concretehard-standingswere available, and a total of 3,198 personnel were based at the station.[11]

During the warVera Lynn,known as 'the forces Sweetheart', visited Benson to entertain the troops, reportedly singing"The White Cliffs of Dover"at the station.[12]

Post-war

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Post-wardemobilisationsaw the disbandment of No. 542 Squadron and No. 544 Squadron in August and October 1945 respectively, with No. 540 and No. 541 Squadrons following in September 1946.[13][14][15][16]The King's Flight reformed at Benson in 1946 and received fourVickers Vikingsduring the following year. The unit was renamed the Queen's Flight on the coronation ofElizabeth IIin June 1953.[6]

Benson retained a photographic reconnaissance role into the early 1950s.[17]No. 58 Squadronreformed in October 1946 to fly the Mosquito and Anson, No.541 Squadron reformed in November 1947 with the Spitfire PR.19 and No. 540 Squadron reformed in December 1947 to fly the Mosquito. No. 541 Squadron received theGloster Meteorin December 1950, before relocating to Germany in June 1951.[16]No. 540 Squadron re-equipped with theEnglish Electric Canberra PR.3in late 1952 and relocated toRAF Wytonin 1953 along with No. 58 Squadron.[15]

Transport Command

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A RAFArmstrong Whitworth Argosy C.1of the type based at RAF Benson during the 1960s

In 1953, Benson came under the control ofTransport Command.No. 147 SquadronandNo. 167 Squadronformed what was known as The Ferry Wing, which was responsible for the ferrying of aircraft across the globe. It was disbanded in 1960 when RAF squadrons became responsible for the collection and ferrying of their own aircraft.[6][17]

Thereafter, Benson became the focus of the RAF's medium-rangetactical transportfleet, operating theArmstrong Whitworth Argosy C.1.The first of six aircraft arrived on 20 November 1961 to form theOperational Conversion Unit(OCU) which trained Argosy crews. The OCU later moved toRAF Thorney Island.In February 1962,No. 105 Squadronformed to establish the first front-line unit for the type. It was soon followed byNo. 215 Squadron.By the end of 1963 both units had departed for theMiddle EastandFar Eastrespectively. Two further Argosy units were established,No. 114 SquadronandNo. 267 Squadron,both operating from Benson until the early 1970s.[17]

Support role

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With the departure of the Argosys, the only flying unit which remained at Benson was the Queen's Flight. This remained the case throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Notwithstanding, the station remained busy with several administrative and support units taking up residence. These included the headquarters ofNo. 38 Group(part ofRAF Support Commandwhich relocated fromRAF Odiham) and theTactical Communications Wing(TCW), both of which arrived in 1972. They remained until 1976 when No. 38 Group was subsumed intoRAF Strike Commandand relocated toRAF Upavon,whereas the TCW moved to nearbyRAF Brize Norton.They were replaced by the RAF Support Command Signals Headquarters (SCSHQ) and the Radio Introduction Unit, which arrived fromRAF Medmenhamduring 1977. SCSHQ remained at Benson until 1981.[17]

AHawker Siddeley Andover E.3AofNo. 115 Squadronwhich was based at RAF Benson during the 1980 and 90s

Flying activity increased in January 1983 when theHawker Siddeley Andoverarrived from RAF Brize Norton. Operated byNo. 115 Squadronand supported by the Andover Training Flight, the Andover Serving Flight and the Support Command Flight Checking Unit, the Andovers were used in theradio and navigation-aidcalibration role.[17]The Support Command Flight Checking Unit disbanded in early 1987, with its role transferred to No. 115 Squadron.[17]

The Queen's Flight received its firstBAe 146in May 1986, with a second in July 1986 and a final aircraft in late 1990.[18]

Support helicopters

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Benson's current support helicopter role began in 1992, whenNo. 60 Squadronreformed at the station, flying theWestland Wessex HC2.[17]

In July of that year, the closure of nearby RAF Abingdon, resulted in several new units moving to Benson, namely theUniversity of London Air SquadronandOxford University Air Squadronboth flying theScottish Aviation Bulldog T.1andNo. 6 Air Experience Flightwith theDe Havilland Chipmunk T.1.[19][20]The Mobile Catering Support Unit (MCSU), featuring a training facility and three Air Combat Support Units, returned in November 1992, having previously been stationed at Benson during the 1970s.[17]

AWestland Wessex HCC.4of the Queen's Flight seen in July 1993

The headquarters of the Support Helicopter Force (SHFHQ) relocated to Benson fromRAF Güterslohin 1993, after the German station's closure that year. The headquarters ofNo. 1 Groupwas located at Benson between 1993 and 1996.[21]

On 1 April 1995, the Queen's Flight, then equipped with the BAe 146 CC2 andWessex HCC.4,merged withNo. 32 Squadronand moved toRAF Northoltin London to become No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, bringing Benson's long association withVIPtransport to an end.[22]

June 1997 saw theWestland Puma HC1introduced at Benson, whenNo. 33 Squadronarrived from RAF Odiham. The Puma Operational Conversion Flight, previously part ofNo. 27 Squadronat Odiham moved in during February 1998.[17][23]Due to the increased level of helicopter activity at Benson, it was necessary to relocate the University of London Air Squadron to RAF Wyton during 1999.[24]

In October 1999, as a result of theStrategic Defence Review,the RAF's Support Helicopter Force was amalgamated into the newly formed tri-service Joint Helicopter Command, now called theJoint Aviation Command.The new command, reporting to theBritish Army'sLand Command,combined the battlefield support helicopters operated by the RAF,Fleet Air ArmandArmy Air Corps.[25]

21st century

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No. 28 Squadronreformed at Benson in July 2001 to equip with the newAgustaWestland Merlin HC3support helicopter.[17]To accommodate the new aircraft and personnel, a £25 million investment at Benson saw the refurbishment of the four C-type hangars, upgrading of station services & infrastructure and construction of engineering facilities and 100 homes.[21]By July 2003, approximately 1,400 military personnel, 166Ministry of Defencecivilians and 150 contractors were employed at Benson.[26]A further Merlin unit,No. 78 Squadron,reformed in late 2007 to operate six Merlin HC3As which had been purchased from theRoyal Danish Air Force.[17]

Doubt was cast over the future of RAF Benson during a review of Joint Helicopter Command's (JHC) airfields, known as Programme Belvedere. Consideration was given to closing at least one JHC airfield, with Benson's support helicopters potentially relocating toRAF Lyneham.The programme was abandoned in May 2009, when it was decided to largely retain the existing JHC basing arrangements.[27]However, in November of that year, the Puma force was brought together whenNo. 230 Squadronrelocated fromJHC Flying Station Aldergroveto Benson.[17]

The 2010Strategic Defence and Security Reviewrecommended that to replace the Navy's ageingWestland Sea King HC4,the RAF's Merlin HC3/3A fleet should be transferred to theRoyal Navy'sCommando Helicopter Force.To gain experience of operating and maintaining the Merlin, Royal Navy aircrew and engineers were integrated into the Merlin force at Benson during 2012.[28]

An RAF AgustaWestland Merlin HC3A

The Merlin fleet was officially handed over to the navy during a ceremony at Benson on 30 September 2014. It was attended byPrince Andrew, Duke of York(Commodore-in-Chiefof theFleet Air Arm), andPrince Michael of Kent(Honorary Air Marshal of RAF Benson).Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew PulfordandAdmiral Sir George Zambellaswere also present.[28]The ceremony marked the disbandment of No. 78 Squadron and its replacement by846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS).[29]

During July 2015,845 Naval Air Squadronreformed and replaced No. 28 Squadron which disbanded. The last phases of the transition began when 846 NAS moved toRNAS Yeoviltonon 26 March 2015.[30]The final Merlin along with 845 NAS departed on 16 June 2016, bringing nearly 15 years of Merlin operations at Benson to a close.[31]

In May 2015, it was announced that the Chinook Operational Conversion Flight, comprising sixBoeing Chinooksand 150 personnel would transfer from RAF Odiham to Benson, to form a joint Puma and Chinook OCU, training crews on both aircraft types.[32]The move began in December 2015 as the unit joined their Puma counterparts under a reformed No. 28 Squadron.[33]

During 2016, theJoint Helicopter Support Squadronmoved from RAF Odiham to Benson.[34]

BAe 146 aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron temporarily relocated to Benson between 15 April 2019 and late October 2019 due to the resurfacing of the runway at RAF Northolt.[35]In May 2020, the Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation and Training Unit, which had been at Benson since 1997, adopted theNo. 22 Squadronnameplate and took on the operational testing and evaluation role for the whole of Joint Helicopter Command.[36]

Infrastructure and facilities

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ABoeing Chinookflight simulatorat RAF Benson

The RAF Benson site extends to 261 hectares (640 acres).[37]It has one runway (01/19) which is 1,825 metres (5,988 ft) long and is constructed fromasphaltandconcrete.A second runway (06/24) along with the western taxiways are no longer in use, The airfield features two areas known as load parks (north and south), which are used by helicopters for practising under-slung load operations.[38]

Aircraft hangars at Benson date from the Second World War and comprise four C-type (known as hangars A to D) and a T2 hangar.[11][39]

Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility

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The Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) is home to six helicopterflight simulators(three Chinook, two Merlin and a Puma version). The facility was established in October 1997 and is operated byCAE Aircrew Training Servicesthrough aPrivate Finance Initiativecontract. It employs around 70 personnel and trains RAF, Royal Navy, British Army,NATOand foreign crews. As well as the simulators, there are also four computer-based ground school training classrooms and a tactical control centre, allowing for operational mission training. In October 2017, the MOD announced it would invest £90 million in the facility over eight years.[40][41][42]

Role and operations

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AWestland Puma HC2ofNo. 230 Squadronbased at RAF Benson

Command

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Group Captain Chris Royston-Airey was appointed as Benson station commander in November 2022.[29]Prince Michael of Kent was appointedHonorary Air Commodoreof RAF Benson in 2002 and was promoted toHonorary Air Marshalof the RAF in 2012.[43]The Support Helicopter Force is under the direction of Joint Helicopter Command, whereas other elements on the station are under the RAF'sNo. 2 Group (Air Combat Support).[44]

Support Helicopter Force (SHF)

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The station is home to No. 33 Squadron and No. 230 Squadron, both operating theWestland Puma HC2,and forming part of the RAF's Support Helicopter Force. The Puma is a medium-lift helicopter used for tactical troop and load movements across the battlefield. The aircraft can carry up to sixteen passengers or twelve fully equipped troops, or up to two tonnes of freight carried either internally or as an under-slung load.[45]

No. 28 Squadron is the combined Puma and Boeing Chinook HC6A OCU. It receives crews fromNo. 1 Flying Training SchoolatRAF Shawburyand builds on their existing skills learnt from basic and advanced helicopter training to qualify them on the Puma and Chinook.[46]Flying operations are supported by units such as No. 22 Squadron (theOperational Evaluation Unitfor Joint Aviation Command) and Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility which operates a variety of simulators.[47]

No. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron (RAuxAF)is areserveunit that provides personnel in ground-support roles to assist the Support Helicopter Force.[48]

Basic flying training

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RAF Benson control tower and associated buildings in 2008

RAF Benson is also home to theGrob Tutor T1light training aircraft of the Oxford University Air Squadron and No. 6 Air Experience Flight. The units offer basic flying training to University undergraduates and graduates and encourage members to embark upon a career in the RAF.[49]

Civilian flying

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TheNational Police Air Service(NPAS) operate anAirbus H135helicopter from Benson.[47]Prior to the establishment of the NPAS in October 2012, aEurocopter Squirrelof theChiltern Air Support Unithad been based at Benson since March 1998.[50]Thames Valley Air Ambulance(TVAA) which moved fromWhite Waltham Airfieldin January 2007 and also operates the Airbus H135.[47]

RAF Benson Flying Club (RAFBFC) operate a number of civilian registeredlight aircraftfrom the site. The club is open to current and former members of the regular armed forces, current and former members of the reserves,MODcivil servants, MOD contractors, current members ofUAS,URNUorUOTCs,members of other nation's armed forces serving in the UK as well as spouses and dependants of armed forces personnel. The club conducts both flying training activity and private, pleasure flying.[51]

Based units

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ABoeing Chinook HC4ofNo. 28 Squadrondeparting RAF Benson during 2018

Flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Benson.[47]

Royal Air Force

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Joint Aviation Command(JAC)

No. 22 Group (Training) RAF

Civilian

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Heritage

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Station badge and motto

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RAF Benson'sbadge,awarded in August 1955, features a redrampantlionagainst the backdrop of anescallop.The lion relates to the Manor of Benson, having been granted in the 13th century to theEarl of Cornwallin whoseArmorial Bearingsa lion appears. The escallop, which is symbolic of earlypilgrims,refers to the mobility function of this station.[52]

The station'smotto(Spectemur agendo) is inLatinand translates as "Let us be known by our actions".[52]

Gate guardian

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A replicaSupermarine Spitfire PR.Mk XIwhich acts as RAF Benson'sgate guardian

Since 2012, Benson'sgate guardianhas been a full-scale replica of a wartimeSupermarine Spitfire PR.Mk XI.It carries the markings ofFlight LieutenantDuncan McCuaig who died while conducting a photographic reconnaissance mission overBremenin Germany as part ofOperation Crossbow.This aircraft replaced a genuine Spitfire PR.Mk XIX that was being restored to flying status.[53]

Built heritage

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The station is home to twoK8 telephone kioskswhich aregrade II listed.They are described byHistoric Englandas "intact examples of the K8 model kiosk, an inventivemodernistadaptation ofSir Giles Gilbert Scott'sclassicK6 design".[54]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^There are discrepancies amongst sources regarding the opening date of the station, with both 1 February and 1 April 1939 quoted in RAF and other publications.

References

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  1. ^Pine, L.G. (1983).A dictionary of mottoes(1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.218.ISBN0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^"RAF Benson Defence Aerodrome Manual".Royal Air Force.Military Aviation Authority.19 November 2018.Retrieved27 February2019.
  3. ^"8 Things You Need to Know About The Battle of Britain".iwm.org.uk.Imperial War Museums.Retrieved17 January2021.Although it developed slowly in the years following the First World War, it went through a period of rapid expansion in the latter half of the 1930s – largely in response to the growing threat from Nazi Germany.
  4. ^Ritchie 1997,p. 91.
  5. ^abc"History - Pre-War".RAF Benson.Archived fromthe originalon 15 August 2017.Retrieved6 March2019.
  6. ^abcdefgMarriott 1997,p. 128.
  7. ^abcdefg"War Time".RAF Benson.Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2014.Retrieved25 February2019.
  8. ^"Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth".Shuttleworth Collection.The Shuttleworth Trust. Archived fromthe originalon 28 June 2016.Retrieved10 July2016.
  9. ^Coastal Command Group Dispositions - July 1945
  10. ^Sweetman 1982,pp. 128–135
  11. ^abHistoric England."RAF Benson (1384486)".Research records (formerly PastScape).Retrieved17 March2019.
  12. ^"BBC - WW2 People's War - Corporal Lena of RAF Benson 423254".bbc.co.uk.Retrieved2 August2018.
  13. ^"542 Squadron".Royal Air Force.Archived fromthe originalon 18 September 2015.Retrieved22 January2021.
  14. ^"No.544 Squadron".National Cold War Exhibition.Royal Air Force Museum.Retrieved24 January2021.
  15. ^ab"540 Squadron".Royal Air Force.Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2016.Retrieved24 January2021.
  16. ^ab"541 Squadron".Royal Air Force.Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2016.Retrieved24 January2021.
  17. ^abcdefghijkl"Post-war".RAF Benson.Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2014.Retrieved7 March2019.
  18. ^Lambert 1993,p. 384
  19. ^March, Peter R. (1998).Brace by Wire to Fly-By-Wire – 80 Years of the Royal Air Force 1918–1998.RAF Fairford: Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Enterprises. p. 158.ISBN1-899808-06-X.
  20. ^Heyman, Charles (1994).The Royal Air Force – A Pocket Guide (1994/95).London: Leo Cooper. p. 109.ISBN0-85052-4 16-4.
  21. ^abMarriott 1997,p. 130.
  22. ^"Royal planes may lose Union Jack".BBC News.15 April 2004.Retrieved12 March2019.
  23. ^"33 Squadron History".RAF Benson.Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2014.Retrieved12 March2019.
  24. ^Gilbert, Lord (2 February 1999)."Cambridge and London Universities: Air Squadrons – Written Answers (Lords)".parliament.uk.Retrieved14 March2019.
  25. ^"Lodger Units – Support Helicopter Force Headquarters".RAF Benson.2003. Archived fromthe originalon 22 February 2005.Retrieved14 March2019.
  26. ^Ingram, Mr (5 June 2006)."Helicopter Searches – House of Commons Hansard Written Answers".parliament.uk.Retrieved13 March2019.
  27. ^Ainsworth MP, Bob (7 May 2009)."Programme Belvedere".UK Parliament – Hansard.Retrieved24 February2019.
  28. ^ab"RAF Hand Over Merlins to the Royal Navy".Forces Network.30 September 2014.Retrieved14 August2017.
  29. ^ab"RAF Benson".Royal Air Force.Retrieved4 April2023.
  30. ^"846 NAS comes home to Somerset".Royal Navy.27 March 2015.Retrieved14 August2017.
  31. ^"CHF family reunited as Merlins complete their move from Oxfordshire to Yeovilton".Navy News.17 June 2016.Retrieved14 August2017.
  32. ^"Six Chinooks and 160 staff transfer to RAF Benson".Oxford Mail.Retrieved12 September2015.
  33. ^"Chinooks leave RAF Odiham".Farnham Herald.10 December 2015.Retrieved24 February2019.
  34. ^"RAF Benson".Facebook.30 September 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2022.Retrieved25 February2019.
  35. ^Adekoyejo, Clement (15 April 2019)."DIO starts work on Northolt runway resurfacing -".GOV.UK.Ministry of Defence and Defence Infrastructure Organisation.Retrieved22 April2019.
  36. ^"22 Squadron Stand Up at RAF Benson".Royal Air Force.14 May 2020.Retrieved12 December2020.
  37. ^"Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A".GOV.UK.Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. 31.Retrieved27 February2019.
  38. ^"RAF Benson Defence Aerodrome Manual".Royal Air Force.Military Aviation Authority.19 November 2018. p. E-19.Retrieved2 March2019.
  39. ^"RAF Benson Defence Aerodrome Manual".RAF Benson.Military Aviation Authority.19 November 2018. p. 3.Retrieved2 March2019.
  40. ^"MoD To Invest £90 Million In RAF Training Centre".Forces Network.24 October 2017.Retrieved2 March2019.
  41. ^Grubb, Sophie (24 October 2017)."£90m announced for 'immersive' South Oxfordshire helicopter simulators".Oxford Mail.Newsquest.Retrieved2 March2019.
  42. ^"Serco awarded extension to helicopter pilot training contract at RAF Benson".Serco.26 October 2017.Retrieved2 March2019.
  43. ^"Military Involvement".Prince Michael of Kent.Retrieved2 March2019.
  44. ^"RAF Benson Defence Aerodrome Manual".Royal Air Force.Military Aviation Authority.19 November 2018. pp.3–1.Retrieved2 March2019.
  45. ^"Puma HC2".Royal Air Force.Retrieved18 January2021.
  46. ^"Royal Air Force forms combined Puma and Chinook unit".Air Force Technology. 26 October 2015.Retrieved5 July2019.
  47. ^abcd"RAF Benson – Who is based here?".Royal Air force.Retrieved28 June2020.
  48. ^Williams, Simon, ed. (23 September 2016). "606 Squadron hits landmark date".RAF News.No. 1403. Royal Air Force. p. 15.ISSN0035-8614.
  49. ^"History of Oxford University Air Squadron".Ministry of Defence. Archived fromthe originalon 6 December 2009.Retrieved6 July2019.
  50. ^Ingram, Mr (10 July 2006)."Helicopter Searches – House of Commons Hansard Written Answers".parliament.uk.Retrieved14 March2019.
  51. ^"RAF Benson Flying Club".rafbfc.co.uk.28 July 2021.Retrieved28 July2021.
  52. ^ab"RAF Benson".RAF Heraldry Trust.Retrieved2 March2019.
  53. ^"Spitfire returns to RAF air base".23 November 2011.Retrieved2 March2019.
  54. ^Historic England."Two K8 Telephone Kiosks at RAF Benson (1393996)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved2 February2019.

Sources

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