RAF Odiham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RAF Odiham

IATA: ODH – ICAO: EGVO
Summary
Airport type		Military
Operator		Royal Air Force
Location		Odiham
Elevation AMSL		405 ft / 123 m
Coordinates		51°14′03″N 000°56′34″W / 51.23417, -0.94278
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
10/28	6,030	1,838	Asphalt

RAF Odiham (IATA: ODH, ICAO: EGVO) is a Royal Air Force station situated a little to the south of the historic small village of Odiham in Hampshire, England. It is the home of the Royal Air Force's heavy lift helicopter, the Chinook HC.2/HC.2A.

1 History
2 Current role
3 Resident squadrons
4 External links

[edit] History

Aircraft operations began from the site in 1925 but it was not until October 1937 that it was opened as a permanent airfield, ironically by Erhard Milch, then the Chief of Staff for the Luftwaffe.

During World War Two P-51 Mustangs and Hawker Typhoons were flown out of the base. After the Allied invasion of Europe the site became a prisoner of war camp. Following the end of the War RAF Fighter Command assumed control of the base and operated Spitfires, Hunters and Javelins. As part of Her coronation celebrations Queen Elizabeth II reviewed the Royal Air Force at Odiham in 1953.

After a short period in "care and maintenance" status the base was reopened as part of Transport Command. In this role the Westland Whirlwind and then the Bristol Belvedere helicopters were operated from the base. From 1961 to 1981 the Westland Wessex was based here, joined by the Puma in 1971.

In 1981 the Wessex helicopters moved to RAF Aldergrove(number 72 Squadron), followed by No. 33 Squadron's Puma's in 1997 to RAF Benson.

[edit] Current role

The first Chinook HC.1s were delivered to the RAF in 1980 and arrived at Odiham in 1982. The first HC.2 arrived in 1993. The RAF ordered the Chinook HC.3, a special forces variant, in 1995. These are yet to enter service.

618 VGS arrived in July 2000. The Unit operates the Vigilant T Mk 1. The Unit provides basic flying and gliding training to members of the Air Cadet Organisation. The Squadron operates normally at weekends and also runs four continuous week courses each year.

[edit] Resident squadrons

7 Squadron - 5 Chinook HC2 and one Gazelle AH.1 serial number ZA296 (a second Gazelle AH.1,serial number XX385 flew with the squadron until 2006,but this helicopter is now stored at RAF Shawbury).
18 Squadron - 18 Chinook HC2/HC.2A
27 Squadron - 10 Chinook HC2
Joint Helicopter Support Unit
No. 618 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - 4 Vigilant T Mk 1
No 651 Army Air Corps Squadron - 4 Defender (BN2 Islander Variant) (serial numbers ZG995 to ZG998.4 more Defender AL.1 or AL.2 are on order,serial numbers ZH001 to ZH004 are allocated.This unit detaches aircraft to Iraq on an extended basis. This unit eschews publicity.
(No 657 Army Air Corps Squadron flying Lynx AH.7 helicopters(approximately 6)