The History of RAF Linton on Ouse

RAF Linton-on-Ouse was built as a bomber airfield and opened on 13 May 1937 when it became the home of No 4 Group Headquarters until 1940. The Air Officer Commanding at the time was Air Commodore A T Harris (later to become Marshal of the RAF, Sir Arthur T Harris).

At the outbreak of the war, Whitley bombers of Nos 58 and 51 Squadrons were launched from the Station to drop propaganda leaflets over Germany and, by 1940, live bombing raids were being mounted on targets in Norway, Holland, Germany and Italy. A particularly memorable event in the history of the Station occurred on the night of 12/13 November 1940. Group Captain Leonard Cheshire (subsequently Lord Cheshire) VC, DSO, DFC, then a Pilot Officer, brought back a Whitley from an attack in the Cologne area with a 12ft by 4 ft hole in the fuselage. It was for this exploit that he was awarded the first of his 3 DSOs. Leonard Cheshire later returned here as Commanding Officer of No 76 Squadron.

By 1942, RAF Linton-on-Ouse was a major Bomber Command Station participating in the bomber offensive over Europe including, 1000 bomber raids on Cologne and Bremen. From 1943 until the end of the war, the Station was in No 6 Group Royal Canadian Air Force, equipped initially with Halifax aircraft while continuing to play a major role in the bombing offensive against Germany. For a few months after the war the Station was in Transport Command, tasked with repatriating passengers and freight from overseas in Yorks and Stirlings. RAF Linton-on-Ouse then settled down to a peacetime routine as a Fighter Command Station, operating Mosquitoes, Hornets and Meteors and later Sabres and Hunters. It also became the home of Yorkshire Sector Headquarters and, in 1956, was chosen to represent the RAF at the parading of the Queen's Colour, on the occasion of Her Majesty's Birthday. This was the first time that this ceremony had been carried out by the RAF.

The Station was placed under care and maintenance in February 1957 and was re-opened on 9 September 1957 as the home of No 1 FTS, within Flying Training Command, and was equipped with Provost and Vampire T11 aircraft. No 1 FTS was originally formed on 29 July 1919 at Netheravon establishing it as the oldest military flying training school in the world. From 1957 until 1969, No 1 FTS trained both RAF and Naval pilots. Naval fixed wing training was then suspended and the School returned to the task of training RAF students and officers from Foreign and Commonwealth Forces. Headquarters No 23 Group moved from Dishforth to Linton-on-Ouse in July 1966, where it remained until it was disbanded in 1975.

In 1985 No 1 FTS became the trial unit for the contractorisation of all engineering and supply services; the contract is currently held by Vosper Thorney Croft (VT).

In addition to RAF Linton-on-Ouse, No 1 FTS operates 3 satellite airfields at RAF Church Fenton, RAF Dishforth and RAF Topcliffe. The Central Flying School (Tucano) joined No 1 FTS in 1995 to train all Tucano flying instructors. This was established at RAF Topcliffe, 18 miles to the north of Linton. They were later joined by the 76(R) Squadron.  76(R) Sqn is responsible for training all future navigators on the Tucano prior to streaming on fast jet, rotary or multi-engine types. In 1997 there was a reorganisation and, as a result of this, the squadrons were reduced from three down to two. CFS moved to Linton-on-Ouse and 76(R) Sqn remained at RAF Topcliffe. Also in 1997, the Station committed itself to achieving the Investors in People accreditation; this was achieved in July 1998. In Feb 1999, the Joint Elementary Flying Training School (JEFTS) moved to RAF Church Fenton. Today the role of RAF Linton-on-Ouse is to provide fast jet training for Royal Navy, RAF and Foreign and Commonwealth students in preparation for advanced fast jet training which takes place at RAF Valley.

So as you can see, Royal Air Force Linton-on-Ouse has adapted to change and has always taken pride in meeting the needs of the nation.