RAF Honington

RAF Honington. It is a major Royal Air Force station located near the village of Ixworth in Suffolk, England. Established in the pre-war expansion period, it has served as a key Bomber Command and later Strike Command base, playing significant roles during the Second World War and the Cold War. Today, it is the home of the Royal Air Force Regiment and a centre for force protection and security training.

History

The station was constructed between 1935 and 1937 as part of the pre-Second World War expansion of the Royal Air Force. It opened in May 1937, initially hosting No. 77 Squadron RAF flying Hawker Hind biplanes. At the outbreak of war, it became a vital Bomber Command airfield, with squadrons operating Vickers Wellington and later Short Stirling aircraft. Key units based here included No. 9 Squadron RAF and No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF, which conducted raids over Nazi Germany and occupied Europe. Post-war, it transitioned to a United States Air Force base in the 1950s, hosting Strategic Air Command Boeing B-47 Stratojet and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft during the height of the Cold War. Control was returned to the RAF in the late 1960s, after which it became the permanent home of the Royal Air Force Regiment.

Role and operations

The primary role is as the headquarters and main training base for the Royal Air Force Regiment, the RAF's specialist ground fighting force. It houses the RAF Regiment Training Wing, which conducts initial and specialist training for all RAF Regiment gunners. The station also supports wider RAF operations by providing force protection expertise and operational support for global deployments. It functions as a key administrative and logistical hub for units across RAF Air Command. Historically, its roles have evolved from heavy bomber operations and nuclear deterrence to its current focus on ground defence and security.

Based units

Notable flying units historically based here include No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF, and No. 15 Squadron RAF. During the United States Air Force tenure, it hosted the 802d Air Division and the 99th Bombardment Wing. Current major resident units are centred on the Royal Air Force Regiment, including its headquarters, the RAF Regiment Training Wing, and No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment. Other supporting units include elements of the Royal Air Force Police and various administrative and engineering support squadrons under No. 2 Group RAF.

Facilities

The airfield features a single, long operational runway capable of handling large military transport aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The station encompasses extensive barracks, training areas, and simulation facilities for the RAF Regiment, including the RAF Regiment Training Wing complex. Key infrastructure includes hardened aircraft shelters from its Cold War era, modern armouries, and a large technical site for engineering support. It also contains comprehensive living accommodations, a medical centre, and recreational facilities for service personnel and their families.

Heritage and museum

The station is home to the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre, which details the history of the corps from its formation in 1942 to contemporary operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The site itself contains several listed buildings, including the original 1930s Officers' Mess and a World War II-era control tower. A memorial on the station commemorates the service of No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF. The heritage of its Bomber Command and United States Air Force periods is also preserved through displays and archival records.