Dates: 1918 - 2002
RAF Aldergrove first opened in 1918 but was not designated as an operational RAF station until 1925. Aldergrove’s location made it an important station during the Second World War of RAF Coastal Command in the Battle of the Atlantic. From the base long range reconnaissance aircraft were able to patrol the Eastern Atlantic for U-Boats.
Aldergrove was designated as a dispersal airfield for the RAF’s V bomber force in the 1950s and was included in a reduced list of 26 airfields in 1962. In 1968 a maintenance unit (No.23 MU) for the F-4 Phantom in RAF service was established at Aldergrove, with 116 aircraft passing through on their way to front line service.
No. 72 Squadron operated Puma and Wessex helicopters from Aldergrove from 1991 until its disbandment in 2002.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Aldergrove
" Did anyone know my Mother Helen Woodward (RAF) and/or my Father John Spraggins (ARMY) as I am trying to trace any details of my Father and I only have limited info. They met there on Tower Trainnig, My mother was based at RAF Aldergrove. My Father John Spraggins D.O.B. 20th may 1942/1943, Died ..."
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" Did anyone know my Mother Helen Woodward (RAF) and/or my Father John Spraggins (ARMY) as I am trying to trace any details of my Father and I only have limited info. They met there on Tower Trainnig, My mother was based at RAF Aldergrove. My Father John Spraggins D.O.B. 20th may 1942/1943, Died ..."
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" hello again yes vicky i relaxed a lot last night but paid for it dearly this morning - self inflicted so no complaints i spent most of the day drying sweat from my fevered brow and other parts as it is so very moggy here - hope you can work on the info chris - there is a wealth of information if ..."
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" while in Ballykelly NI a certain person missed the R=R bus at 0300hrs, at 0430 hrs the siad person was on his way to RAF Aldergrove with a gratefull lift from the AAC, and the pilot did not even ask for a tip. and i got there with loads of time to spare to get a good old choggie burger mind you it was in a wessex and not a chinnock [chinook18.jpg]"
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" A breach of security at RAF Aldergrove in County Antrim could be linked to a serious sexual assault in the Crumlin area, PSNI have said. It is understood a car crashed through a security fence into the RAF base on Tuesday morning, and drove off. At about 1215 BST the police recovered a car at ..."
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