RAF Upper Heyford from the air
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RAF Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, September 2012
There was an air base here from 1918 through to 1994 with the last USAF F-111 leaving the base in December 1993, according to wikipedia.
Please follow the link at the bottom of this page for more history.
Upper Heyford was used in the movies ‘World War Z’ and ‘The Fourth Protocol’
This is the M40, looking North to Junction 10 and Cherwell Valley services. The village at left is Ardley which is right by the end of the runway. Follow Google map link below.
Thanks to Damien of Air Frame Photography for the flight in his vintage Piper Cub.
PAGE EDITED 28 MAY 2025
Comment below by Walter “Cap” Cook Staff Sergeant, copied here in the main narrative.
I have a lot of memories of RAF Upper Heyford. My duty station while stationed there from 1969 – 1972 was Transient Maintenance. That being we were responsible for all foreign aircraft to come to Upper Heyford. I watched as the last F-4 Left the base for Germany and we anxiously awaited the arrival of the new F-111E’s. When that day came my crew was on duty and I got to lead the first F-111 to its parking location for it arrival. I still to this day feel so proud to be involved in the new installation of the three squadrons that would rule the sky’s of England for the years they were stationed there. In my position I got to meet many dignitaries from all over the world and still today it seems like yesterday that it all transpired. I wasn’t fortunate enough to see the buildup of all the construction that took place to Upper Heyford in those twenty some years that it was an active. F-111E base. It is a real shame that with all that buildup that they decided to phase it out of operation. When I look at the pictures of the remnants of the old base I see such a waste. I have so many other memories of my times while at the base that I feel so so privileged to have been given the opportunities to serve the U.S. Air Force and protect my country. Thanks for this opportunity to offer my life’s long lasting memories to the work you have provided and given me some more memories. Thanks Ian.
Hi Ian,
Hope you are well.
Nice record shots – and a Cub flight too!
Had a base tour there ‘twice’ in a week when I was with the ATC and the F-111’s were new in! That was 1971 and the place was crawling with them – 3 squadrons. No HAS complexes were built then of course so it was just Hangars and most were just parked out on the pans. Can’t have been good with all that British rain seeping in!
Got to stop off there a couple of times in the 90’s when back and forth to Brum but only have a couple of shots of the 111’s from that time.
Saw one of the last movements – A US Navy Herc in there back sometime in the early 90’s.
So sad to see it disused but at least it’s intact!
Been back in the area this last week as was working locally and I could see some of Heyford’s old USAF white buildings and HAS units up on the hill!
Cheers, Rob
Hi Rob,
Cracking memories there! There’s a book in your stories of visiting air bases across the globe in search of a good shot. Your photos deserve a plug;
crusader752
Ian
I was there 74,75. ATC radar. the old mobile rapcon trailer back then. 3168 comm. sq. attch. 99 tac fighter wing
I thoroughly enjoyed the aerial tour of Upper Heyford. I don’t know why I never thought to look for info about RAF Upper Heyford sooner.I was stationed there from 1959 to 1963 when it was SAC B-47, B-52 and KC-135s. We also launched U-2’s from a top secret hangar. You rarely saw the U-2s. They would launch at daybreak and not return until evening. I was there when Gary Powers was downed over Russia. Was quite a tense time waiting to see if Kruchev would retaliate. Most of the men I served with are now passed but not forgotten. Thanks for the memories!
Fascinating to hear your memories Jerome! I was only watching the movie Bridge of Spies the other day, which then had me reading all about Gary Powers again.
Thank you for stopping by and adding a comment.
Ian
No ‘airbase’at Heyford in 1915 or 1916: the ground was not cleared for building until 1918.
Amended it now. Don’t know where I got the 1915 or 1916 detail from. Ta.
I have a lot of memories of RAF Upper Heyford. My duty station while stationed there from 1969 – 1972 was Transient Maintenance. That being we were responsible for all foreign aircraft to come to Upper Heyford. I watched as the last F-4 Left the base for Germany and we anxiously awaited the arrival of the new F-111E’s. When that day came my crew was on duty and I got to lead the first F-111 to its parking location for it arrival. I still to this day feel so proud to be involved in the new installation of the three squadrons that would rule the sky’s of England for the years they were stationed there. In my position I got to meet many dignitaries from all over the world and still today it seems like yesterday that it all transpired. I wasn’t fortunate enough to see the buildup of all the construction that took place to Upper Heyford in those twenty some years that it was an active. F-111E base. It is a real shame that with all that buildup that they decided to phase it out of operation. When I look at the pictures of the remnants of the old base I see such a waste. I have so many other memories of my times while at the base that I feel so so privileged to have been given the opportunities to serve the U.S. Air Force and protect my country. Thanks for this opportunity to offer my life’s long lasting memories to the work you have provided and given me some more memories. Thanks Ian.
Hi Walter,
Thank you so much for adding your memories of your time at Upper Heyford.
I hope it’s alright with you, but I have copied your comment into the main narrative above. It deserves to be seen and sometimes interesting comments like yours can be lost in the comments section.
Hope you are well, and thank you again for visiting and commenting on this page.
Ian