RAF Woodbridge History
1943
RAF Woodbridge opens as one of three airfields set
up to accept damaged or fuel-short bombers returning from
raids over Germany, and were therefore fitted with long,
heavy-duty runways. Woodbridge was chosen as the site for
one of these as it was 'nearly fog-free and had no obstructions
for miles' (Bowyer), although more than a million trees had to
be cleared from Rendlesham Forest to take the new base.
Source:
Rendlesham Forest: RAF Woodbridge and Bentwaters
1944
13 July 1944, a Ju-88 on North Sea night patrol landed at
RAF Woodbridge near Ipswich in Suffolk. This aircraft carried the
FuG 220 Lichtenstein, FuG 227 Flensburg radars and Fug Naxos homers
which were being successfully used to intercept RAF bombers. The
German crew had only just completed 100 hours of flight training and
had flow by compass heading, but had proceeded in exactly the wrong
direction and thought they were over their own airfield. Within days,
RAE had analysed the radar equipment and devised countermeasures.
Sources:
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Deja.com message: Re: Night fighter mistake?
1946-1948
After the end of the war RAF Woodbridge was used for experimental work -
Lancasters based there dropped Grand Slam bombs on Orford Ness,
and the Blind Landing Experiment Unit was located there. The RAF
abandoned Woodbridge in March 1948.
Source:
Rendlesham Forest: RAF Woodbridge and Bentwaters
1952
On 5 June 1952 the USAF took it over for the home of the 79th
Fighter-Bomber Squadron, flying first F-84s, then F-100s.
Source:
Rendlesham Forest: RAF Woodbridge and Bentwaters
1958
In 1958 the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing moved in and upgraded the
runway to take F-101 Voodoos.
Source:
Rendlesham Forest: RAF Woodbridge and Bentwaters
1966
Phantoms arrive.
Source:
Rendlesham Forest: RAF Woodbridge and Bentwaters
1969
F-4Ds arrive. At the end of 1969 the 79th Tactical Fighter
Squadron (as the 79th was now called) moved to Upper Heyford,
and the 67th ARRS flew in from Moron AFB in Spain.
Source:
Rendlesham Forest: RAF Woodbridge and Bentwaters
1972
Construction begins on Woodbridge American High School
1973
Classes begin at Woodbridge American High School. Junior and seniors are
dormies at Lakenheath. Elementary school moves from Bentaters to former
Jr High School.
1974
Woodbridge sends first delegation to MUN.
1976
First class graduates from Woodbridge American High School.
Mock Democratic convention filmed by Anglia Television. Students nominate
George Bush as the democratic candidate!
1977
Outward Bound students stranded overnight on Mt Snowdon in Wales.
1980
Rendlesham forest incident 26-27 December.
1993
USAF leaves RAF Woodbridge
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