Royal Air Force Boulmer has certainly had a wide and varied career, with each subsequent role as important as it's predecessor. From humble beginnings to the hub of ASACS Force Command, read on:

1940 - Boulmer Starts as a Decoy!

The history of Royal Air Force Boulmer can be traced back to 1940 when it was used as a decoy airfield to draw attacking Luftwaffe aircraft away from the operational airfield at RAF Acklington nearby. As the air threat to the United Kingdom (UK) receded, the decoy airfield, with its grass runways and plywood and canvas Hurricanes, was abandoned.

1943 - Spitfire Training Unit

In March 1943 RAF Boulmer was re-opened as a satellite airfield to house the advanced flights of 57 Operational Training Unit (a Spitfire training Unit based at RAF Eshott, Boulmer's parent unit). During this period, there were 3 tarmac runways and a unit of the RAF Regiment defended the Station. In November 1943 RAF Boulmer became home to No 9 Battle Training School, in which night flying, dive-bombing, strafing, bouncer, and chase tactics were taught. As the war ended the airfield closed, reverting to agricultural use.

1953 - Boulmer Enters Cold War

With the onset of the Cold War, Boulmer was selected for the construction of an Air Defence Control Centre and sufficient land, away from the original airfield, was obtained for the various dispersed sites needed. In June 1953 the Station re-opened as 500 Signals Unit under the parentage of RAF Acklington. On completion of the Underground Operations Centre in 1954, RAF Boulmer became an independent unit for the first time. The Station crest, which depicts a firebrand (to signify the Station’s role in watching and warning the country’s defences of attack) surrounded by the motto ‘semper in exubitu vigilans’ - ‘Always the Vigilant Sentry’, was awarded 5 years later.

1957 - Boulmer Becomes a Group Control Centre

In the autumn of 1957 RAF Boulmer was designated a Group Control Centre, with responsibility for the RAF Radar Stations at Buchan and Killard Point. By 1958 the Station was selected as a site for more modern high-powered Type 84 and Type 85 radars for the new centralized air defence system of the United Kingdom.

1962 Air Traffic Control Radar Unit (Border Radar) Established at Boulmer

The Air Traffic Control Radar Unit was established at RAF Boulmer in 1962, becoming operational on 14 May. This was a joint military/civil facility providing air traffic control services to coordinate civil and military traffic. Its name was changed to Border Radar in May, 1966. Although still operational until the late 1980s, the unit closed when all Area Air Traffic Services were centralised between West Drayton and Prestwick.

1974 - Sector and Control & Reporting Operations Commence

As the UK Air Defence Ground Environment (UKADGE) developed, Boulmer’s role gradually increased in importance and by 1974 the Station had evolved to become both a Sector Operations Centre (SOC) and Control and Reporting Centre (CRC). During this time, fighter controllers from Boulmer routinely detected Soviet aircraft probing the UK Air Defence Region and scrambled Quick Reaction Alert aircraft to intercept them before they reached UK airspace.

1975 - A Flt 202 Squadron Arrives

The role of RAF Boulmer was expanded in 1975 following the closure of RAF Acklington with the arrival of A Flight 202 Squadron flying the Westland Whirlwind aircraft in the Search and Rescue role. The Flight was re-equipped in December 1978 with the more capable Sea King aircraft; A Flight continues with their 24/7 commitment to the Search and Rescue role to this day.

1982 - Improved UK air Defence Ground Environment Programme Implemented.

The underground facilities at RAF Boulmer were vacated in January 1982 to accommodate the implementation of the Improved UKADGE programme (the CRC operated from an above ground facility during this period).

1990 - The RAF School of Fighter Control Arrives

In 1990, Boulmer’s links with Air Defence was reinforced by the arrival of the School of Fighter ControlSchool of Fighter ControlSchool of Fighter ControlSchool of Fighter Controlfrom RAF West Drayton. Following an extensive refurbishment, installation and testing of the highly advanced Integrated Command and Control System the bunker was returned to operations in 1993. However, with the end of the Cold War the CRC was used in a standby role only with the homeland defence task being conducted from RAF Buchan in Scotland and RAF Neatishead in Norfolk.

1995 - Number 1 Air Control Centre Reforms

In 1995, Number 1 Air Control Centre (1ACC), a deployable Air Command and Control unit, was reformed at RAF Boulmer following lessons from the Gulf War. The Unit was deployed in support of Operation TELIC in Iraq for 8 months in 2003/4 and has maintained an ongoing commitment in Cyprus since 1998. No 1ACC relocated to RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey at the end of 2004 as part of the collocation of the various RAF Air Combat Support (ACS) and Air Combat Service Support Units (ACSSU).

2002 - Major Refurbishment

In 2002, the Station began a major refurbishment of the underground bunker and installation of new equipment as part of the UKADGE Capability Maintenance Programme (UCMP). Valued at £60 Million, the first phase of the programme was declared operational at RAF Boulmer on 16 August 2004. The opening of the refurbished underground CRC has allowed for the continued estate rationalisation of the UK’s Air Surveillance and Control System; this has led to the closure of both RAF Buchan and Neatishead. On 1 September 2004, RAF Boulmer also assumed responsibility, in addition to the Type 93 radar at Brizlee Wood (8 miles west of the Station) for the Type 92 radars at Buchan and Benbecula. The successful delivery of UCMP has, once again, focused the 24/7 operational commitments of RAF Boulmer and has served to highlight the Station’s pivotal role in the homeland defence of the UK.

January 2006

Following the refurbishment of RAF Scampton during 2005, a number of operational personnel transferred from RAF Boulmer to the CRC at Scampton, again as part of the continued collocation of the ACU and ACSSU. In January 2006 RAF Boulmer expanded its responsibilities further as it became the hub of the Air Surveillance and Control Systems (ASACS) Force CommandAir Surveillance and Control Systems (ASACS) Force CommandAir Surveillance and Control Systems (ASACS) Force CommandAir Surveillance and Control Systems (ASACS) Force Command with a number of personnel transferring to the Unit from Headquarters Strike Command in High Wycombe. The Station Commander at RAF Boulmer as the ASACS Force Commander became responsible for the generation, sustainment and operational output of the ASACS organisation which comprises the CRCs at Boulmer and Scampton, No 1 ACC at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, the Remote Radar Heads at Benbecula, Buchan, Brizlee Wood, Staxton Wold, Neatishead and Portreath together with operational facilities at Aird Uig.

10th January 2008 - RAF Boulmer's Future is Secured

It was announced that RAF Boulmer’s long-term future had been secured.

A study into where to base elements of the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) concluded that the best option – in both financial and operational terms – was to retain RAF Boulmer as the ASACS hub.

Group Captain W J Millington, Station Commander at RAF Boulmer and ASCAS Force Commander said:

“We are delighted that the Station will remain as the ASACS hub. This is welcome news, not only for the personnel based here, but also for the local community who have shown us great support over the years.”

During the course of the ASACS Basing Study it became clear that the retention of RAF Boulmer as a core site for the ASACS hub was the best option, and RAF Boulmer will not draw down in 2012, but should instead remain the ASACS hub.

28 October 2008 - Results of the ASACS Basing Study

It was confirmed that the re-location of the ASACS satellite units to RAF Coningsby was the best option in financial and operational terms. It was decided that the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Scampton and No 1 Air Control Centre (No 1 ACC) at RAF Kirton-In-Lindsey will collocate at RAF Coningsby. The relocation is due to complete by the end of 2014.

Following the relocation, it is intended that RAF Scampton will be drawn down to only those facilities deemed necessary to support the RAF Aerobatic Team's activities within the reserved airspace above the airfield. RAF Kirton-In-Lindsey will be closed once the No 1 ACC has relocated to RAF Coningsby. Service and civilian personnel at RAF Scampton and Kirton-In-Lindsey will be briefed on the progress of the study.

01 January 2009 - School of Aerospace Battle Management

Following the change in name of the Fighter Control Branch, the School of Fighter Control became known as the School of Aerospace Battle Management.