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RAF Northolt

Badge for RAF Northolt

THE STATION

RAF Northolt in west London is used by both military and civilian aircraft and is home to units from all three Armed Services and the Ministry of Defence. 

RAF Northolt plays an important royal role with both 32 (The Royal) Squadron and 63 Squadron RAF Regiment (Queen’s Colour Squadron) based on the Station. 

2,000 service personnel (from all 3 Armed Forces), civil servants, and contractors work at RAF Northolt.

Commander

Portrait of Group Captain Mike Carver ADC MA RAF

Group Captain Mike Carver ADC MA RAF

Group Captain Carver took command of RAF Northolt in July 2017. An experienced C-130 Hercules pilot he has served on Nos 24 and 47 Squadron.  Before coming to Northolt he worked at US Central Command as a Chief of Staff for their Strategy and Plans Group.

ADDRESS

West End Road, Ruislip, London, Middlesex, HA4 6NG.

Council: London Borough of Hillingdon

Who's based here

  • Air Historical Branch
  • St Clement Danes Church
  • RAF Music Services

What we fly

Leonardo GrandNew

Transport

BAe146

Transport

KEY DATES

  • 1915 - Opened as Royal Flying Corps' Military School, Ruislip.
  • 1940 - The Station plays a key role in defending the UK during the Battle of Britain and was home to Polish fighter Squadrons.
  • 1946 - RAF Northolt acts as London Airport during the construction of Heathrow.
  • 1954 - Reverts to sole military use.
  • 1995 - 32 (The Royal) Squadron is formed and moves to RAF Northolt and remains the home of UK Government and VIP transport to this day.
  • 2012 - RAF Northolt becomes a fighter station again during the Olympics, home to four Typhoon fighter aircraft.

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