About this Unit
RAF Brawdy, located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was originally established as a Royal Air Force station during World War II in 1944. Post-war, it served various roles, including as a base for the Fleet Air Arm and later reverted to the RAF, hosting advanced flying training units and the Tactical Weapons Unit. In the 1970s and 1980s, RAF Brawdy became notable for training fast jet pilots using Hawker Hunters and BAe Hawks. The station closed as an RAF base in 1992, marking the end of its significant contribution to British military aviation training.
Historical Facts
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USAF Presence at RAF Brawdy: RAF Brawdy, located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, hosted a detachment of the United States Air Force (USAF) from the late 1970s to the early 1990s as part of Cold War operations.
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Electronic Warfare Mission: The USAF at RAF Brawdy operated the 7020th Air Base Squadron, focusing on electronic intelligence gathering and surveillance activities in coordination with NATO.
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Strategic Location: RAF Brawdy was selected due to its coastal location, offering an ideal vantage point for monitoring Soviet naval and air activity in the North Atlantic.
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TR-1 (U-2) Deployments: Detachments of high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, such as the TR-1 (a variant of the U-2), operated from Brawdy during sensitive intelligence missions.
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Operational Security: The activities of the USAF at Brawdy were often classified, with local residents sometimes unaware of the true nature of the operations conducted there.
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Joint Operations: RAF Brawdy was a joint-use base, with both UK and US personnel working side by side, fostering close NATO cooperation and camaraderie.
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Impact on Local Community: The American presence boosted the local economy, and numerous US service members built lasting friendships and even families in the region.
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Emergency Landings: On several occasions, Brawdy's long runway was used for emergency landings by military aircraft in distress, including British and American planes.
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Role in the Gulf War: During Operation Desert Storm (1991), Brawdy's intelligence-gathering units contributed valuable data to coalition forces.
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Closure and Legacy: The USAF left RAF Brawdy in 1992 following the end of the Cold War, but the base's role in intelligence and NATO defense remains a significant chapter in military history.
