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The Station

RAF Boulmer is situated near Alnwick, the county town of Northumberland.  Part of 2 Group, it is a key station of the RAF's Air C2 Force, providing surveillance of UK airspace and tactical control of combat and support aircraft.

The core to RAF Boulmer's operations is its Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS), which is used to defend UK airspace and train for contingent operations.

Number 19 Squadron provides operations personnel to conduct this task 24/7, while Number 20 Squadron is the ASACS Operational Conversion Unit.  Both Squadrons are supported by the engineers and technicians of 144 Signals Unit, and the staff of RAF Boulmer Station.

Around 1,000 Service, civilian, and contracted personnel work at RAF Boulmer.

Always the vigilant sentry

Connect with RAF Boulmer

Commander

Wing Commander Joseph Redhead BA (Hons) RAF

Wing Commander Redhead graduated from RAF College Cranwell in 2000 and trained as a Fighter Controller at RAF Boulmer. Posted there in 2006, he qualified as a Surveillance Director and supported Op HERRICK. He later led a Quick Reaction Alert watch and became Surveillance Training Officer.

As a Squadron Leader, he commanded the Initial Training Squadron and served as Executive Officer at the School of Aerospace Battle Management.

He was appointed Station Commander RAF Boulmer in August 2025.

Who's based here

Squadrons

XIX Squadron
20 Squadron
9 RAF Police & Security Squadron (Air C2 & Space)

Units

Tactical Control provide air picture information, threat warning and mission direction to aircraft and surface-based air defence units - to ensure air missions and operations go as planned. They use Sensor Fusion and Identification with radars, tactical data links and intelligence to produce sensory information. This is undertaken by Air Battle Management units, such as Control and Reporting Centres, Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft, air defence ships and specialised land units such as the Air Support Operations Centre. The Air C2 Force consists of the Force Head Quarters (FHQ),19 Squadron, 20 Squadron and 144 Support Unit based at RAF Boulmer and 78 Squadron based at NATS Swanwick.

At the very heart of the UK air defence network; 144 Signals Unit staff provide continuous 24-hour support to ASACS and stand ready, at a moment’s notice, to deal swiftly and proactively with the many changes that are frequently thrown their way.

144 Signals Unit consists of a number of different elements including:

• 144 Signals Unit Headquarters

• Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Flight

• Radar Flight (North) which consists of RRH Benbecula, RRH Brizlee Wood, RRH Buchan and RRS Saxa Vord

• Radar Flight (South) which consists of RRH Neatishead, RRH Staxton Wold and RRH Portreath

Wings

The mission of RAF Boulmer Support Wing is to provide timely administrative and specialist services in support of units and personnel at, or parented by, RAF Boulmer. Support Wing has approximately 200 Service and Civilian personnel, the majority of whom work from the Main Site.

The Station Chaplain and SSAFA Forces Help Worker are also situated within Support Wing in Station Headquarters on the RAF Boulmer Main Site.

The Wing comprises three Squadrons:

· Force Development Squadron

· Personnel Management Squadron

· Management Support Squadron

· Station Health, Energy and the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development (SHEPSD) section

· Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP)

Where we parent

RRH Benbecula
RRH Neatishead
RRH Buchan
RRH Staxton Wold
RRH Portreath
RRH Brizlee Wood

RAF Boulmer NEWS

RAF Boulmer and Air Command and Control Force mark 82nd Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy

12 Jun 2026

RAF Boulmer hosts annual reception celebrating community ties

11 Jun 2026

SSAFA and RAF Boulmer marks D-Day anniversary with unique beach art

09 Jun 2026

UK and NATO Forces Unite to Advance Air Defence C2 Training

11 May 2026

History

Operational as an Air Defence unit for 60 years, the RAF has had a presence in the area since 1940, when land near Boulmer was used as a decoy airfield to draw attacking Luftwaffe aircraft away from the nearby operational airfield at RAF Acklington. 

In 1953, the Cold War caused RAF Boulmer to renew its defences and it was selected for the construction of an air defence control centre equipped with new radar and control facilities. 

In 1957, Boulmer was designated a Group Control Centre, this gradually increased in importance and by 1974 the Station had evolved to become both a Sector Operations Centre and Control and Reporting Centre. 

The arrival of 'A' Flight 202 Squadron In 1975, introduced the Search and Rescue role, providing 37 years of Search and Rescue at RAF Boulmer. 

In 1990, Boulmer saw the arrival of the School of Fighter Control from RAF West Drayton. In 2009, Fighter Control Branch rebranded as Aerospace Battle Management, and the School of Fighter Control became the School of Aerospace Battle Management. 

RAF Boulmer plays a key role in UK air defence with continuous improvements to its systems and radars during a series of extensive refurbishment programmes.

Key dates

1940    RAF presence established at Boulmer as a decoy 'K' airfield.

1943    Spitfires of 57 OTU's Advanced Training Squadron arrive for pilot training.

1953    Establishment of 500 Signals Unit, with radars and underground operations rooms.  RAF Boulmer becomes a RAF Station in its own right.

1962    'Border Radar' Air Traffic unit forms at RAF Boulmer.

1975    'A' Flight of 202 Squadron arrive to perform Search and Rescue duties with Whirlwind and then Sea King helicopters.

1990    Arrival of the School of Fighter Control from RAF West Drayton.

1995    Establishment of Number 1 Air Control Centre as a deployable radar and tactical control unit.

2004    RAF Boulmer becomes the primary 24/7 Control and Reporting Centre for UK airspace.

2012    Air defence operations for the London Olympic Games.

2021    Allocation of 19 and 20 Squadron numbers to the Control and Reporting Centre and Operational Conversion Unit.