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All University Air Squadrons

Oxford University Air Squadron

RAF Volunteer Reserve unit for students from the Universities of Oxford, Oxford Brookes and Reading.

Crest for Oxford University Air Squadron

I walk on air and contemplate the sun

About

  • The Squadron’s town headquarters is in Oxford, and it flies the Grob Tutor from RAF Benson
  • Trains students from affiliated universities in leadership adventurous training and flying.
  • The Squadron is made up of around 60 students and 7 staff
  • Former members include The Dambusters: Leonard Cheshire and Melvin Young, ACM Wigston CBE and actors Richard Burton, Robert Hardy and Warren Mitchell.

Weekly training

Weekly training nights take place during term time at the Squadrons Town Headquarters (THQ) in central Oxford, just a short walk from Oxford Railway Station starting at 7pm. Apart from flying during term time Tuesday to Saturday and annual training camps at RAF Benson, OUAS regularly offers adventurous training expeditions and force development training within the UK and aboard. Recent expeditions include visits to Iceland, Malta and ski trips to France.

Based at

RAF Benson

History

Oct 1925 - Founded as the second University Air Squadron with 24 students all from Oxford University. Based originally at Upper Heyford

1932 - OUAS moved to RAF Abingdon

1939 - Squadron disbanded, its members joining the RAF

1941 - The Squadron was reformed to provide flying training to students and was based at RAF Abingdon. Members in these war years included Richard Burton and Warren Mitchell

1949 - Flying was moved to RAF Kidlington

1958 - Flying was moved to RAF Bicester

1975 - Flying was moved back to RAF Abingdon

1986 - Students from Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes) were admitted for the first time.

1992 - Flying was moved to and still is at RAF Benson
Students from Reading University were admitted for the first time.

Jan 2017 - Admin Staff based at THQ in Oxford are moved to RAF Benson to join with Flying Staff, THQ still used for recruiting and town nights.

Associated Universities

Contact details

HEADQUARTERS

Oxford University Air Squadron, RAF Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6AA

Phone: 01491 837766/5227

TERMLY TOWN NIGHTS HELD

Oxford University Air Squadron THQ, Oxpens Rd, City Centre, Oxford, OX1 1RX

Email: [email protected]

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