RAF Benson

RAF Benson. It is a major Royal Air Force station located near the village of Benson, Oxfordshire in southern England. Opened in 1939, it has served continuously through the Second World War and into the modern era, evolving from a bomber and transport airfield to a primary hub for support helicopter operations. The station plays a critical role in providing aviation support to the British Army and other government agencies.

History

The airfield was constructed in the late 1930s as part of the pre-war expansion of the RAF Bomber Command, becoming operational in April 1939. During the Second World War, it was initially home to squadrons flying the Fairey Battle and later the Vickers Wellington, participating in early bombing campaigns over Nazi Germany. From 1943, it transitioned to a transport role under RAF Transport Command, hosting Douglas Dakota and Short Stirling units that supported major Allied operations including the D-Day landings and the Battle of Arnhem. Post-war, it became a key base for Avro York and later Handley Page Hastings aircraft during the Berlin Airlift. The station entered the jet age with the arrival of the Hawker Siddeley Andover in the 1960s before transitioning fully to helicopter operations in the 1970s.

Based units

The station is the main operating base for the RAF's support helicopter force under No. 1 Group. Primary flying units include No. 28 Squadron RAF, operating the Boeing Chinook, and No. 33 Squadron RAF, which flies the AgustaWestland AW109 in the Search and Rescue role. The No. 230 Squadron RAF, also equipped with the Boeing Chinook, is permanently based here. These squadrons work closely with the Joint Helicopter Command and are supported by various ground units including the RAF Police and elements of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Role and operations

Its primary mission is to provide medium-lift helicopter capability in support of UK military operations worldwide and domestic tasks. The Boeing Chinook fleet conducts troop transport, logistical support, and casualty evacuation for the British Army, notably in theatres such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The station also has a significant UK homeland security role, with aircraft ready for counter-terrorism support, disaster relief, and ceremonial duties including transporting the Prime Minister. Furthermore, it hosts the National Police Air Service and provides training for aircrew from NATO allies.

Facilities

The airfield features two operational asphalt runways, the longest being over 1,800 metres, capable of handling heavy transport aircraft like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. It houses extensive engineering hangars for deep maintenance of rotary-wing aircraft and a large technical site managed by Babcock International. Living accommodations include the PMRAFNS medical centre, a modern gymnasium complex, and the historic Officers' Mess dating from the station's opening. The site also contains a control tower upgraded to modern CAA standards and dedicated simulators for Boeing Chinook aircrew.

In popular culture

The station and its aircraft have featured in several film and television productions, most notably providing Boeing Chinook helicopters for the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. It served as a filming location for the documentary series RAF: The Inside Story and has been featured in episodes of the BBC programme Countryfile. The station's search and rescue role was dramatized in the ITV series The Royal, and its historic Avro York aircraft appeared in the film The Great Escape.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Oxfordshire Category:1939 establishments in the United Kingdom