 
Dates: 1939 - Originally constructed in 1939, RAF Lyneham is scheduled for closure by 2012 with functions and aircraft relocating to RAF Brize Norton. The base will remain open until the last of the C-130K fleet is retired. At this point the 25 new generation C-130Js will move to Brize Norton where they will join the A400M, the C-17 Globemaster and the aerial refueling fleet. There are four Royal Air Force Squadrons at Lyneham. They are: 24 Sqn and 30 Sqn which operate Lockheed C-130Js. 47 Sqn and 70 Sqn operate the ageing, but very adaptable Lockheed C-130Ks. There are also two Royal Air Force Reserve Units based at Lyneham: No. 4626 (Aeromedical Evacuation) Squadron RAuxAF No. 1359 (Hercules Reservist Aircrew) Flt The base is also home to No. 1 Air Mobility Wing, formerly known as the United Kingdom Mobilie Air Movements Squadron. They operate as tactical air movements specialists, providing world wide movements teams to handle RAF Transport Fleet aircraft whenever or where ever required. 47 Air Despatch Sqn RLC, which operates here is an army unit,part of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC but formerly under 29 Regiment RLC at South Cerney. No. 38 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) was formed at Lyneham on 1 April 2006 encompassing most of the non-formed unit personnel on station. The EAW does not include the flying units at the station or the other formed units ie Tactical Medical Wing. The station commander,currently Group Captain Mike Neville, is dual-hatted as the commander of the wing. The nearby village Lyneham (from which the RAF station takes its name) is home to 2491 (Lyneham) Squadron, an Air Training Corps squadron, part of the Dorset and Wiltshire Wing. The station is often used for ATC annual camps.
Memories of RAF Lyneham
RAF Lyneham, in 1983Written by Mark Walmsley Contact this person >>  "It's 1983 and this 17 year old lad (me) arrives at one of the most awe inspiring bases in the UK. During the next 5 years I am detached to a whole host of different bases (Greenham, Falklands etc.) before being posted away from Lyneham. No other base quite had the same feel about it, nor had the same amount of friendship that was to be found at Lyneham. It saddens me to think of the base closing in the near future. I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the people of Wootton Bassett for the respect and dignity they have shown to our returning personnel from current conflict areas. It is the saddest duty that RAF Lyneham undertakes and I remember vividly the return of the Bandsmen that were killed in the bomb attack in Germany. Thanks to RAF Lyneham, all the friends I made there and the memories that will last forever." RAF Lyneham, in 1961Written by William (Taffy) Morris Contact this person >> "I remeber arriving at RAF Lyneham for the first time in 1961, straight from Trade Training at RAF Freckleton. SSQ was an old building not too far from the airfield. it had seen better days, but was still very functional. The lads were all National Servicmen, not a regular amongst them, all marking the days off individual calenders until their demob. It was a busy place, building work was still going on, new barrack blocks going up all the time. I particularly remember the NAAFI and also the Airman’s Restaurant (the Mess really). We had good grub always.
Not having much money, we used to visit the Station Cinema whenever we could, and also if we had an evening off, we used to try to get permission to fly with the aircrew doing ’circuits and bumps.’ all very exciting! Some evenings we used to sneak up to the Station Telephone Exchange, and visit the WRAF telephonists (What dirty minds you have). Several times the Duty Officer would arrived unannounced, and we would have to hide behind the tall telephone equipment until the coast was clear. Happy Days! I remember the opening of ’The Route Hotel’ a grand name for a transit barrack block.
I also remember an event which caused consternation at the time, and a lot of laughter. We had a new Medical Officer posted to the station with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. It was a lady doctor. In those days a WRAF Officer of that rank would be a Flight Officer. It transpired that lady doctors were not in the WRAF but in the RAF and so had a man’s rank. Also she had to be addressed as ’Sir.’
She was not amused, but it had to be. I was demobbed in 1962, but never forgot all my mates that served with me. If any of them reads this I wish them well."
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Lyneham
" I think it is disgusting the way the Goverment are treating our Armed Forces. They are still reckoning on closing RAF Lyneham, as we all know this is one of the biggest & busiest Transport Stations. Even today they are very busy (I know I live on the flight path) Only last year they pulled out ..."
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"One of the best things to come out of our "quest for the PJM" is the discovery that I served at RAF Lyneham (closing down in 2012) back in 1964, with the chairman of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association! We hope to be meeting up very soon. [Pic13046.JPG]"
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"Angie Wyatt, RAF Ascension & RAF Lyneham. After you wed and fled up north we’ve lost contact....if anyone else knows where she is give us a call.....cheers "
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" I seem to remember a very young, very junior, self important 2 Lt. visiting RAF Lyneham many years ago. As it was a hot day, and seeing a cold drink vending machine, he decided to buy a can of soft drink. Putting his hand in his pocket, he found he didn’t have the necessary shilling (well I ..."
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" One in the S.M.O.’s office at RAF Lyneham way back in the 1960’s: "I met a girl who was willin’Now I’m takin penicillin!" "
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