Unit History: RAF Brawdy
RAF Brawdy was a Royal Air Force station in South West Wales near to St David’s.
The Pembrokeshire base was officially opened on 2 February 1944 as a satellite station for the nearby RAF St. David’s. On 1 January 1946 the station was handed over to the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy and was initially used as a Relief Landing Ground for RNAS Dale. It was commissioned as HMS Goldcrest on 4 September 1952. In March 1953 the first Hawker Sea Hawk entered service with 806 NAS at RNAS Brawdy. The Royal Navy left in 1971 and the base was allocated to the Department of the Environment.
In February 1974 the Royal Air Force returned with D Flight of 22 Squadron taking up residence with their Whirlwind HAR.10 search and rescue helicopters. In September of the same year 229 Operational Conversion Unit (later the Tactical Weapons Unit) joined D Flight having been forced to relocate after the closure of RAF Chivenor.
The base was home to Hawker Hunter aircraft of the TWU, and the gate guardian at the base was a Hawker Hunter FGA.9 (XE624). This airframe was subsequently sold to a private collector, Steve Petch, who is in the process of creating a website for the aircraft.
By the late 80’s it operated BAe Hawk T.1A (234 and 79 Squadron) and Sea King (202 Squadron, B Flight) aircraft. The RAF withdrew in 1992 and the base, now known as Cawdor Barracks, is currently occupied by the Royal Signals, being the main electronic warfare base of the British Army.
Added on 14/09/2010
In 1971 the unit was put under care and maintenance and renamed RAF Brawdy. There was a smallcontingent of RAF personnel based there until 1974 when RAF Chivenor moved to the unit.
Before Chivenor moved totally the air sea rescue helicopters were stationed at Brawdy, unfotunately I cannot remember the date.
Also in ate 1973 he first contingent of Americans moved in prior to the opening of US Naval facility which remained on the base until 1999
During the late 90,s early 2000,s the base was handed over to the army and became a base for the Royal Welch (I think) and was subsequently handed over to the Royal Signals and is now Known as Cawdor Barracks
The Pembrokeshire base was officially opened on 2 February 1944 as a satellite station for the nearby RAF St. David’s. On 1 January 1946 the station was handed over to the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy and was initially used as a Relief Landing Ground for RNAS Dale. It was commissioned as HMS Goldcrest on 4 September 1952. In March 1953 the first Hawker Sea Hawk entered service with 806 NAS at RNAS Brawdy. The Royal Navy left in 1971 and the base was allocated to the Department of the Environment.
In February 1974 the Royal Air Force returned with D Flight of 22 Squadron taking up residence with their Whirlwind HAR.10 search and rescue helicopters. In September of the same year 229 Operational Conversion Unit (later the Tactical Weapons Unit) joined D Flight having been forced to relocate after the closure of RAF Chivenor.
The base was home to Hawker Hunter aircraft of the TWU, and the gate guardian at the base was a Hawker Hunter FGA.9 (XE624). This airframe was subsequently sold to a private collector, Steve Petch, who is in the process of creating a website for the aircraft.
By the late 80’s it operated BAe Hawk T.1A (234 and 79 Squadron) and Sea King (202 Squadron, B Flight) aircraft. The RAF withdrew in 1992 and the base, now known as Cawdor Barracks, is currently occupied by the Royal Signals, being the main electronic warfare base of the British Army.
Added on 14/09/2010
In 1971 the unit was put under care and maintenance and renamed RAF Brawdy. There was a smallcontingent of RAF personnel based there until 1974 when RAF Chivenor moved to the unit.
Before Chivenor moved totally the air sea rescue helicopters were stationed at Brawdy, unfotunately I cannot remember the date.
Also in ate 1973 he first contingent of Americans moved in prior to the opening of US Naval facility which remained on the base until 1999
During the late 90,s early 2000,s the base was handed over to the army and became a base for the Royal Welch (I think) and was subsequently handed over to the Royal Signals and is now Known as Cawdor Barracks
Memories of RAF Brawdy
(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
RAF Brawdy, in 1980
Written by nicholas howell
I was asked too build a field kitchen for training purposes out of oil drums and various other items.When I asked for volunteers to do this no airmen cooks could be spared, so my wife and some friends plus kids built it with me.
Great considering it was for training, at least my wife knows how to turn a 45 gallon oil drum into an oven.
RAF Brawdy in 1988
Written by Martin Owen
I served here from 1986-89. played rugby at this unit we won the Welsh districts league & RAF shield final. Our great coach was (Paddy)Brian Harshaw a great guy & with whom I have wonderful memories of & the great squad I played with! we were a great team. Look out for 1st club reunion in 2011.