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Fairford

Major
Also known as: RAF Fairford / USAAF Station 457
County: Gloucestershire
Current Status: Aviation
Date: Opened January 1944
Current Use: Active
Used By: RAF / USAF
Landing Surface Types: Paved
Aircraft Roles: Airborne forces/transport / Aircraft display / Bomber / Communications / Trainer / Transport
N.B. - Fairford is situated across the two counties of Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire but primarily geographically resides in North Gloucestershire.

The following organisations are either based at, use and/or have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 01/09/2011):
  • Fairford History Society
  • Fairford Library
  • Fairford Town Council
  • Kempsford Parish Council
  • Marston Meysey Parish Meeting
  • Meysey Hampton Parish Council
  • The Bull Hotel

The following alternative information/mass media sources have at least potentially significant connections with the airfield (as at 30/11/2018):

  • The Fairford Website

Main unit(s) present:

  • No 3 (P) AFU

  • No 4 FTS
  • No 10 Sqn

  • No 22 HGCU

  • No 27 Gp Comms Flight

  • No 30 Sqn

  • No 47 Sqn

  • No 53 Sqn

  • No 113 Sqn

  • No 190 Sqn

  • No 204 AFS

  • No 241 OCU

  • No 283 (Airborne Forces) Wing

  • No 295 Sqn

  • No 297 Sqn

  • No 620 Sqn

  • No 1528 RAT Flight

  • No 1529 BAT Flight
  • No 1555 RAT Flight

  • No 1556 RAT Flight

  • No 2706 Sqn RAF Regiment
  • 7020th ABG

  • Central Flying School

  • RAF Aerobatic Team (The Red Arrows)
001B-52 1991.jpg

One of four aircraft taking part in the second B-52 raid from Fairford during the Gulf War, 10 February 1991. © Richard Cawsey/www.abpic.co.uk

002B-52s Gulf War 1991.jpg

Boeing B-52G Stratofortresses at Fairford during the Gulf War, 24 February 1991. © Kev Slade/www.abpic.co.uk

003Control Tower - 7 July 2012.png

The control tower at Fairford, 7 July 2012. © Richard Flagg

004geograph-5431770-by-Ian-Capper.jpg

The control tower at Fairford, 11 June 2017.

The Red Arrows in training at Fairford, 1965. Courtesy of British Pathé

Parent(s)/HQ Airfield(s):

Blakehill FarmBrize Norton / Keevil / Little Rissington

Associated Airfield(s):

South Cerney

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