Royal Air Force Croughton (RAF Croughton), also referred to as simply Croughton, is a joint military facility located near the village of Croughton in Northamptonshire, England.

History:

• Originally established in 1938 as the Brackley Landing Ground by the Royal Air Force (RAF).
• Renamed to RAF Brackley in 1940 and RAF Croughton in 1941.
• Primarily used by the RAF during World War II.

Current Use:

• While technically an RAF station, RAF Croughton is currently operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) under a joint agreement with the UK.
• It serves as the headquarters for the 422nd Air Base Group (ABG), a USAF unit responsible for various support functions in Europe.
• Notably, RAF Croughton houses one of the largest military switchboards in Europe, processing a significant portion of U.S. military communications in the region.

Additional Information:

• Location: Southeast of the village of Croughton, approximately 20 miles north of Oxford and 70 miles northwest of London.
• RAF Croughton also provides essential support services for personnel stationed at the nearby RAF Fairford, a USAF bomber forward operating location.
• The base is relatively small compared to other major RAF stations and does not actively house any flying squadrons.

Significance:

• RAF Croughton plays a crucial role in supporting USAF operations in Europe.
• Its communication infrastructure and support services are vital for maintaining efficient communication and logistics across the region.

Note:

It’s important to remember that while the facility is operated by the USAF, it remains under ultimate British jurisdiction due to its location on British soil.