RAF Alconbury

• Early Origins: RAF Alconbury was established in 1938 as a Royal Air Force station and played a pivotal role during World War II. • USAAF Base: In 1942, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) took over Alconbury, making it a key Eighth Air Force base for B-17 Flying Fortress and later B-24 Liberator bomber operations. • Secret Missions: The 801st Bomb Group, known as the "Carpetbaggers," operated from Alconbury in 1944, flying clandestine missions to drop supplies and agents behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Europe. • Postwar Era: After WWII, Alconbury returned to RAF control, but the US Air Force came back in 1951, beginning a long period of American use during the Cold War. • U-2 Spy Plane Operations: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, RAF Alconbury was used as a base for U-2 reconnaissance flights, gathering vital intelligence during the height of the Cold War. • RF-4C Phantom II: The base was home to the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which flew the RF-4C Phantom II on photographic and electronic reconnaissance missions across Europe. • Gulf War Involvement: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Alconbury-based units played a crucial role in providing reconnaissance and intelligence support. • Underground Bunkers: The base is known for its extensive and hardened underground command and control bunkers, built for Cold War survivability. • Community Ties: RAF Alconbury has fostered strong Anglo-American community relations, including school exchanges, charity events, and local partnerships. • Modern Era: While flying operations ceased in 1995, RAF Alconbury remains an active support site for the USAF, housing the headquarters for the 501st Combat Support Wing as of 2024.