RAF Khormaksar | |||
---|---|---|---|
Motto: Into the Remote Places | |||
Motto: Into the Remote Places | |||
IATA: ADE – ICAO: OYAA | |||
Summary | |||
Airport type | Military | ||
Operator | Royal Air Force | ||
Location | Aden | ||
Built | 1917 | ||
In use | 1917 - 29 November 1967 | ||
Commander |
RAF Khormaksar was a Royal Air Force station in Aden. Its motto was "Into the Remote Places". During the 1960s, it was the base for nine squadrons and became the RAF's busiest-ever station. It later became Aden International Airport.
History[]
Established in 1917, RAF Kormaksar was enlarged in 1945 as the British spread their influence deeper into the Arabian Peninsula. In 1958, a state of emergency was declared in Aden as Yemeni forces occupied nearby Jebel Jehaf and RAF squadrons were involved in action in support of the British Army. In the 1960s, during operations around Rhadfan, the station reached a peak of activity, becoming overcrowded and attracting ground attacks by rebels. In 1966, the newly elected Labour government in the United Kingdom announced that all forces would be withdrawn by 1968. The station closed on 29 November 1967.
Units and aircraft[]
No. 8 Squadron RAF were based there on eight different occasions:
- 1927-1945 operating the Fairey IIIF, Vickers Vincent, Hawker Demon, Bristol Blenheim, Martin Maryland, Fairey Swordfish, Lockheed Hudson and Vickers Wellington
- 1946-1950 operating the de Havilland Mosquito, Hawker Tempest and Bristol Brigand
- 1950-1951 operating the Bristol Brigand, Avro Anson and Auster AOP6
- 1951-1952 as before
- 1952-1953 operating the Bristol Brigand and de Havilland Vampire
- 1953-1956 operating the de Havilland Vampire and de Havilland Venom
- 1956-1961 operating the de Havilland Venom, Gloster Meteor and Hawker Hunter
- 1960-1967 operating the Hawker Hunter FGA Mk9 and T Mk7
- 1960-1963 operating the Hawker Hunter FR10
No. 84 Squadron RAF were based between 1956 and 1967 and operated the Vickers Valetta, Bristol Sycamore, Percival Pembroke, Blackburn Beverley and Hawker Siddeley Andover.
See also[]
References[]
Notes[]
Bibliography[]
- Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE,BA,RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
- Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
External links[]
The original article can be found at RAF Khormaksar and the edit history here.