RAF Alconbury & RAF Molesworth (Revised/Updated 2022), 423rd Air Base Group, USAF.
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- This presentation is an updated version of a previous video I posted about the Bases. In that original video, the future of RAF Alconbury was in doubt but a recent announcement about the Base clarifies its long term position as an 'Active' USAF Installation.
Photo Credits: Images used were taken by me unless otherwise indicated. Photos where the source is known have been endorsed accordingly. The photo of the new Alconbury 423rd Medical Facility is a 501st CSW/USAF image. No infringement of personal copyright is intended. With thanks to Dan Hardy and the Public Domain Archive.
Music Score: 'America' and 'The US Air Force Blue' - performed by the USAF Band. 'Sound Off Alert' performed by the Band of the US Marine Corps.
I was at dependent at Alconbury, ‘74-‘78. At that time we didn’t have a school team as 9-12 grade were bussed to Lakenheath and lived in dorms. The base teams were the Spartans. Later, Alconbury JHS became Alconbury HS with their teams being the Dragons.
Hi Mark.
What a nice video, thanks!
Background:
My Dad was career Air Force. He was assigned to RAF Alconbury from Jan. 1963 - Jan. 12, 1966.
Flew in and out of RAF Lakenheath.
Never could get into base housing, too long o a wait list.
Lived at first in a nice little village called Tillbrook, located west and south (15 miles) from the base.
Later, moved to St. Ives, located east of Huntingdon (8 miles from the base).
Lastly, we moved to Warboys, located (around 8 miles northeast from the base.
School: The bus would pick my sister and I and take us into RAF Alconbury at the elementary school (I believe K-5).
My sister was 2 years younger and went to that school. I got on another bus and took it to RAF Molesworth.
At that time, RAF Molesworth was not a "combat" base. Appears to only be used the the US Air Force for more base housing, another elementary school, and a school for grades 7-10. Grades 11-12 had to go to another base (can't remember which one) and stay there during the week in dorms. There was no high school in the Alconbury area.
I did 6th, 7th, and half of 8th grades there. Left in Jan. 12, 1966 and flew back to Kansas as Dad was re-assigned to McConnell AFB near Wichita. I started 8th grade at Molesworth, finished 2nd half in Kansas (our home state). Two schools, two countries! 🙂
There were a lot of bases used by the US Air Force in those days due to:
1. Cold War with Soviets
2. Former Air Bases in France moving to Germany and England (DeGaulle didn't like us then).
Welcome any other thoughts and/or memories by you or your viewers.
God Bless!
Hi, thanks for your interest and for sharing your memories - many Air Force Dependants will identify with your comments about School.
My Father was also career AF starting his time (1952) and finishing his career (1979) in the UK. Ironically, his first duty assignment(s) were at RAF Molesworth and RAF Chelveston. We were stationed at RAF's Bentwaters/Woodbridge and Upper Heyford. I graduated from RAF Woodbridge High School (1978). The School was opened in 1973 - we arrived in 1975 but prior to that, High School students would attend and lodge during the week at Lakenheath HS.
I have done several RUclips videos about the USAF in Britain and may have possibly become a bit consumed on the subject. I'm no historian but by posting these videos, my goal is to remind others who share that Air Force background and indeed anyone interested in the USAF of those Bases that have long since closed and are today just dim and distant memories. That said, there are Museums/Heritage Centers (notably at Bentwaters, Upper Heyford and Sculthorpe) that have been established at these former sites which will preserve the History of the USAF's presence.
The USAF strength in the UK has been drastically reduced since the end of the 'Cold War' but it still remains a formidable force and long may that continue.
As Air Force Dependants, we shared a unique experience especially living overseas. Perhaps some of us didn't appreciate that experience at the time - I was one such person but all these years later you come to realise how very fortunate we were.
Thanks again for your comments. All the best.
@@Chelveston78Thank you Mark for the nice reply.
I have fond memories of Alconbury as my Grandparents lived just south of the Airfield. Used to see U2s/TR-1s/MC-130s/A10s/ a lot when the circuit.
I was stationed there from 1999 to 2000.
thanks for the video! I was stationed there from 1988-1991. Came up there from Bentwaters with the A-10's. Nice memories!!!
I was there at the same time. If my last name sounds familiar to you my father was the squadron commander for the 511th from 89-91. Small world man.
@@HalfUnder Was in CRS. But did engine work in both the 509th and 511th. Nice assignment!!!
@Big Daddy Joe I remember it fondly. Granted I was a little kid at the time but the 'hog will always have a special place to me.
Well done. 10th Clinic, Alconbury 83-85
I did read a book saying USAF alconbury was haunted.it be interesting to know if it's true and what the haunting is/was.