RAF Honington

RAF Honington is a Royal Air Force station between Thetford and Ixworth in Suffolk, England.

Opened in 1937, Honington was used as a bomber station during World War II. It was notable as the station chosen for the introduction of the Hawker Siddeley (Blackburn) Buccaneer bomber. The first aircraft arrived in November 1969 and deliveries continued throughout the early 70s. Nos 12, 15 and 16 squadrons formed there, with 15 and 16 squadrons moving to RAF Laarbruch in West Germany in 1971. Also No 237 OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) formed to provide the training squadron. The Buccaneers operated from Honington until the 80s when they relocated to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
The last aircraft (of the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit) based at Honington left in 1993. The base is now the RAF Regiment depot and home to the Joint NBC Regiment.

1 Squadron RAF Regiment, the oldest unit in the Regiment, is due to relocate to RAF Honington in 2006.

See also

*List of RAF stations

External links