RAF Boulmer
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RAF Boulmer is a Royal Air Force station near Alnwick in Northumberland.
In 1940 a dummy airfield was set up near the village of Boulmer in order to divert German attacks from nearby RAF bases. In 1943 RAF pilots began using the dummy airfield as a relief landing ground. Later that year the airfield became operational as a training field.
In 1953 present day RAF Boulmer was opened as an Air Defence Control Centre, protecting the airspace of the United Kingdom. High powered radars were installed. In 1978 A flight of 202 Squadron moved their search and rescue helicopters to Boulmer. Initially they flew Westland Whirlwinds and later Westland Sea Kings. In 1990 the RAF School of Fighter Control was moved to RAF Boulmer.
In late July 2004 it was announced that RAF Boulmer would close, with the majority of its functions transferring to RAF Scampton.
External links
- RAF Boulmer home page (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafboulmer/)