Declassified: The Old RAF Base Bringing Hollywood To Upper Heyford | Forces TV

[@eifeldude1]

I was a dependant here from 1968-1977 and then stationed here from 1986-1989. Upper Heyford will always hold a special place in my heart. It was upsetting when they tore down the movie theather. so much of this base has already been torn down to include my old workcenter. the refueling maintenance shop which was state of the art is gone now.

[@bowfisher456]

Were you there when we hit Libya Gaddafi's compound

[@ronjamski3911]

I was working the command post during the Libya mission. I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I knew something was up. When I asked why 4 certain aircraft weren't getting updated, I was told to ignore them. I figured it out the next morning on the BBC news.

[@travismoore3229]

I served there from '88 to '92. Started with ECCM avionics then volunteered into the MOC. Spent some time in the war room at one of the controller desks. Boozed it up in the surrounding communities and sent down to logistics, supply. Overall, some of my fondest memories and experiences were here.

[@MrDinFla1]

You and I both! Served there from 87 to 91. Played for the base football team. Easily the best 4 year stretch of my 50+ years!!

[@carlstewart365]

I was stationed there 1981 - 1984. I was a surgical nurse, and I was there when the brand-new hospital opened. Many fond memories.

[@richardjohnmartin7131]

I was a patient.

[@eleanorcowell7266]

Wow!

[@Kurio71]

@@richardjohnmartin7131 Which ward?

[@allan2098]

I was there from 76 to 83. Great memories. ( I was a13 year old when we left.) We got £5 to stand at the roadside and cheer during the Bond film. Back then, that was a week's pocket money!

[@briangulley6027]

I may have seen you I was there from 80-83 and remember the filming of the parade.

[@SteveH-TN]

I was Stationed @ RAF UH 1973 - 76. Interesting to see some of the previously Top Secret facilities and related information preserved. A lot of memories for me, I walked though many of those doors at any hour of day as duty required. The drone video especially gave me views of “ Restricted Areas”. fading from memory.

[@carabus0354]

We need to preserve this history and some of these sites, not turn them into housing estates.

[@cooler066]

Never a truer word spoken sir.

[@louisehull6580]

too late :-(

[@robertgarrett4046]

I couldn't agree more with you ,Rob.

[@roccomiers477]

I was stationed here, '78-80. . . 20 FMS. Great memories.

[@MrPerry61]

I was stationed there in 84/85. That tower at 2:25 was one of the positions I manned.

[@RobertSmith-yq4wb]

I lived there as a wee baby when my da was stationed there.Certainly should be preserved for future generations imo.

[@kybrown9629]

Me too! My dad was there early 80s

[@K1W1fly]

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"

[@chrismitchell4808]

Dr. Stranglove, great classic

[@arthursevigny9798]

He'll see the big board!

[@curtishaack4342]

Was at RAF Croughton '81 - '83. UH was our mother base.

[@vicvancouver3123]

Thanks so much for the video, just found it. Spent 6+ years over two tours until they started wrapping things up. So many memories, thx

[@rupedo1]

What a fantastic historical attraction this would make, teaching the history of military flight.

[@bsastarfire250]

Did a lot of work there 1980s . The base always had a feel of activity and purpose. Sad to see it redundant.

[@TheRipper5418]

I was stationed at U.H. for 4 years (1986-1990) as a Security Specialist. I walked up those stairs to the security tower (at 4:31) hundreds of times to work a shift inside the weapons storage area (WSA).

[@robertbennett6898]

Do you know a Thomas Bennett. Combat Arms Specialist. I was born their in 83. My dad, Tom, was on the security forces unit there and also trained peacekeepers their as well.

[@carlosvega1587]

Station there from 1980-1984, with the 20th security police. Fond memories!

[@TheGalwayFarmer]

Upper Heyford also featured in all of the artwork for Feeder's 1999 album 'Yesterday Went Too Soon'

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Sept. 5, 2018---Thanks for the video. Glad to see the Brits still working at preserving their history.

[@EddieJoe55]

You took me back in time, dear lady! I was stationed at UH as a bomb loader on the F111, and other duties from 1/6/86 to 3/19/90, and that’s 4 years, 72 days, and a fantastic lay enjoyable experience to have lived there! I have spent many hours in those hardened shelters, some of those cold hours and some quite warm dressed in a chemical ensemble. Your video has provided me with some fond reminders that I had misplaced in my mind. Such a joy to revisit. Thank you everso-much!!

[@mayowa61]

Yes, took me back also I was stationed there between 1986 to 1989 as a crew chief in Red

[@Backpacker1uk]

Should have done that with Burtonwood near Warrington home of the 8th US Airforce in WW2

[@ThreeWheelTherapy]

I was there 1979 to 1981. 20th AMS c shop. I worked in launch and recovery for a good part of my tour. Many memories made there

[@ronaldmcgowan3697]

I was stationed there 1976-78 as a Security Police USAF

[@andrewmarlow7303]

My brother in law served on the base I will never forget just how busy the base was with all the aircraft

[@Myfactory62]

Should be saved as a cold war museum and possible future base not turned into a giant car park or housing estate,i grew up near the base when it was operational.The F.111's never flew with nuclear ordnance,only would of flown with 'live' loads if the cold war in Europe turned hot,apparently designated targets were the Warsaw pact forces in eastern Europe not Russian cities.

[@bentwaters77]

There is the Bentwaters Cold War Museum at the former Suffolk base RAF Bentwaters

[@jwenting]

yes, by the time the F-111 came into service the main target list for US nuclear strikes had long shifted from city busting to military forces and manufacturing complexes. And the F-111s in the UK were targeted to USAFE which was a tactical deployment, so targeted at Soviet forces in Europe and their support infrastructure. That's not to say cities wouldn't be hit, but they'd be hit because they were major rail and road hubs and/or housed major WarPac military bases.

[@kierluke2018]

Lived as a kid in the local area and fond memories of the site. 8am plane at the top of the village and 6:30pm plane at the bottom of village, (Middle Barton). Everyday. Once a month the large transporters flying back to the states. Weekly shopping trip to Bicester, passing through the base. Main road split the homes from the military side. Many a film shot at the site including World War Z and one of the Star Wars films.

[@tectorama]

These bases should be preserved intact (Bentwaters included). You never know when we might need them again. I remember when the 20th TFW moved there from Wethersfield. A sad loss for Essex. F-100s to F-111s

[@briangulley6027]

The base doesn't look that bad, I don't think it would take too much to make it operational. Livable for families yeah that would take time but to get ready for war shouldn't take too much.

[@annemadison7258]

the airbase is younger than IWM DUXFORD which was setup in 1916 but the first RAF units arrived in late 1918.

[@simonblack9577]

i worked there as a KP duriing the 70s and almost got shot by an over reacting sentry when i was on way to flightline kitchen.... he was new, i forgave him lol. ssgt jackson gave him a roasting i can tell you i was 18. you could always tell when blackbird was there security went overboard !!!! i have fond memories of working there and living in Bicester

[@orangelion03]

Another significant but now semi-abandoned air based used for location filming is Greenham Common. Prominently used as the rebel base in The Force Awakens.

[@TheGalwayFarmer]

it's fairly abandoned, it has cows crazing on what was the runway!

[@chrisblake1918]

Cool!

[@0511ltf]

"compleatly off limits and for those with only the highest clearence".... 07.00 on the morning of an airshow me and a friend walked on the base thru the main gate unchallenged and walked around taking pics with one one around...

[@robertwhite361]

Glad it has been preserved. I visited in the early 80's when it was like being in the USA . Even the local pub had CHILLED bitter to cater for the Yanks. I remember the "Ardvark's" taking off and landing. Loads of American cars and trucks around. Pity no one cared enough to preserve Woodford Aerodrome which is more historic near where I live. The home of A.V. Roe and the birthplace of so many iconic British planes - Lancaster and Vulcan bombers. Thanks to the b*****ds in the local council it has been flattened and is disappearing under horrible new houses that we don't need!

[@paulboyle6857]

There is a clip in the movie The Forth Protocol from the late 80,s where Pierce Brosnan & his American neighbours drive past the entrance named "Baywaters"!! Of course at the time we had RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk which never had F111,s stationed there but the movie airfield was meant to be in E Anglia.

[@zdiver1]

I was there 1970-1974 my dad was in charge of the flight line and red A flight.

[@rockesark9689]

I was just a kid when I lived there back in the early 60's when the B-47's were there. I still remember the address of our house, 7 Roper Rd.

[@chrisblake1918]

I was one of the troops that stripped a LOT of stuff out of Heyford for my office at Woodbridge.

[@johnoehrlein8379]

81st TFW all the way, too bad they decommissioned back to Davis Monthan AFB

[@jackmccollum6632]

When you say woodbridge do you mean woodbridge in Suffolk?

[@chrisblake1918]

@@jackmccollum6632 That's the one!

[@chrisblake1918]

@@johnoehrlein8379 Agreed. I loved that little spot out in the woods. Got there right after the Rendlesham incident.

[@okjggijjkhgyo423]

NJ huh jojo vhf cm jug and sg

[@teresasnider5019]

My Daddy worked in the War Readiness Center, 1959 - 1962. USAF

[@Ogre7449]

There with the 79th 84-87 as C-shopper and again in 91-92 in the 55th, and TDY with the 42nd

[@nosiferret]

Father was stationed there from 1973 to 1982, I went to elementary school in Croughton and middle school at Heyford. I got to see the inside of that war room once my dad needed to go in there and I was told stay there and do not touch anything, I remember how dark it was in there and they were writing on the "walls" with markers that fascinated me the most because the walls were clear. I knew that base like the back of my hand. When it was time to play war games during alerts, they took them seriously, I remember seeing someone in their gas mask kneeling by a building. It was fun for us to dodge them as we moved across the base, but if we had been caught we would have been in trouble during black flags. I remember music class had to be suspended during F111 take offs that were across the street from us. During alerts it was impossible to have class. I loved hearing those planes getting ready and taking off, not to mention the way the buildings rattled and shook. Great fun, loved those planes! The Four Seasons-Brown Derby I think it was called had the best hot fudge sundays and pizzas. So sad to see how it all looks today. The old middle school is just about gone, which is surprising since the buildings were considered historical but I see new housing creeping in over areas that used to be the BX, and that brand new hospital that was built and lasted for only a few years before the base closed, such a waste. I remember our PE classes held in the bowl, the inflated arena that made your ears popped when you went inside. Looking at the buildings left standing, I'm like I had art class here, math over there, science in that room, home ec in that building and remembered the full Thanksgiving dinner we made, pies made from Klais' [my spelling could be off] pumpkins. Lots of memories.

[@charlesfaussete8721]

I worked in both the Control Tower and Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) from 78-80.

[@davidbeck6963]

I was Base Ops. 76-80. Your OIC's office was a feet away from us. Might have met you. I was NCOIC when I left in 1980.

[@stuntdrvr]

i was in the fighting 55th... in that shelter!

[@Nick9042]

77th

[@briangulley6027]

@@Nick9042 That area was turned into Victor Alert in 82 if I remember correctly. I was in the 77th at first but the 55th and 77th swapped areas, kept the same airplanes and people just changed the tail flash from blue to red. I was a crew chief there from 80-83, good times. The old VA area became MAT I worked there as an instructor for 18 months.

[@rickeymitchell8620]

Stationed at Upper Heyford 1973-1977 20th EMS yellow B and C

[@sempafi899]

My grandparents lived nearby in Banbury. Lot of US servicemen and women lived there. Lots of great American cars driving around. Visited the base twice to buy some DI's and patches. knew it was something else. Jeeps with 60Cal machine guns driving around!!

[@Ade2bee]

The amount of time I must have spent with my two thumbs on the buttons to open those two hardened aircraft shelter doors, I wonder how much of my life I used up?

[@carldowd406]

We used to remount there on the MFF courses...

[@gunner5125]

I was there during the Bond movie filming. I and a few others were selected as extras, and I think the payment was like 20 quid.

[@ronaldmcgowan3697]

I was stationed there 1976-78

[@stebishopnomad1838]

Great video. .but you just don't put mudflaps on an Aston Martin lol

[@JP-AP]

Worked Command Post 85-89, some inaccuracies in the story, but overall a nice presentation.

[@peterk2455]

Considering how difficult it is for current pilots to get access to the diminishing number of airports, why not make some space available for non-commercial aircraft?

[@williamb8180]

home 70-74 well missed.

[@jaynj908]

Was stationed there 91-93

[@lassogirl5199]

I lived there in 60s ..my dad was in missiles and everything was top secret!

[@ULSTERISBRITISH]

Is that the one with the “ufo incident” story in the 80’s 😂😂

[@dellawrence4323]

No, that was RAF Bentwaters, it has been demolished and a huge housing estate built on it the house the millions of muslim "migrants" being imposed upon us.

[@matt4239]

Del Lawrence millions yeah?...

[@captaintyrrell6428]

@Matt- yes literally... Been to Londonistan recently?

[@billsanter]

War readiness room? We called it the Command Post.

[@Grahamgusbull]

Visited the perimeter in 1975.....when was last F111 flight?

[@Mors_Inimicis]

graham bull 1993......I think.

[@Grahamgusbull]

ZD433 ..close enough,thanks!

[@paultanton4307]

Mmm fascinating video,im surprised how intact the facilities still look,never been there myself but maybe one day.The way things are going it might be the case that some of the old abandoned bases will be resurrected at some stage-probably very unlikely I know,the one thing that is lacking in defense infrastructure is strength in depth.

[@2beer49]

Stationed there from May 86' thru Aug. 88' in Medical Supply at Heyford hospital and out at R.A.F Bicester. These were the best years of my life.

[@fliegenmann2562]

Why the fu** has that Aston Martin mud flaps?!! Cmon, this is not Rallyecross... 😱😱😑

[@oliversayer5904]

Freeview channel?

[@MODELSTOCK]

❤️ The REAL F-35 Draken

[@kamran102]

Saab 35 Draken (Dragon) from Denmark :-)

[@carsonhaught9934]

Nice video shame about the commentary... what a drippy voice. Ho hum. Nice to reminisce, really miss the Heyford Open House displays... and seeing the jets come over way back to the Sixties. Last time I saw it was from a plane and it looked like a giant car park!

[@yeda458]

Nice

[@briangulley6027]

I was there from 80-83 as a crew chief in the 55 and 77. I remember when they filmed the movie, didn't see Roger Moore however. I worked in the alert area they showed in the video a few times, we had 9 F-111E's each loaded with B-61 nuclear bombs ready to launch in 5 minutes, stuff was real in those days. The planes weren't going to return to Heyford as it was assumed it wouldn't be there when they came back. They had divert bases to go to if they survived their attacks, a very big if I might add. As far as those of us remaining at the base well, as they say put your head between your legs and kiss your ass good bye. Yes, I touched nuclear bombs, cool huh. By the way I fancied myself a few English birds while I was there, jolly good I must say.

[@vernantruman1797]

I remember Upper Heyford, early 80’s. The peace camps.. Once involved in an action were a group of us climbed on top of those hangers. We were never charged.. Another time almost got myself shot for being on the runway.. Being questioned in building 100...

[@angelsone-five7912]

I take it the general public are not allowed to view their heritage just like most places.

[@Semiam1]

10 Points to anyone who can guess the slang term for “Upper Heyford”

[@gunner5125]

"Heyford" I'm guessing?

[@M-HK-]

We called it Upper Haystack. Worked in fire department there from 79-81

[@Pete7647]

I remember one evening in Peterborough was on overtime in a factory one F1-11 circled the City then another and another this went on for quiet some time their were a large number of this aircraft going around Then off they flew en mass, when i got home about 10pm i said to the Wife "I Think the Yanks are off to Tripoli " we woke next morning to the News F1-11 from UH and Lakenheath had attacked Tripoli with intent of getting Gadaffi,

[@rambler241]

Did she say NUCULAR weapons in the intro? Yes, she did!

[@simonblack9577]

hahahaha

[@gregfry3156]

We referred to them as 207-10 resources

[@peter-e2q]

You’ve been listening to Americans. It’s pronounced- New Clear (nuclear) not Nu Cu Lar

[@tray8411]

Crash/Rescue 82-84

[@richardjohnmartin7131]

it is inaccurate about combat ready early response planes - they weren't in a hanger

[@WilliamEades_Frostbite]

I think she was confusing "Hanger" with "Revetment". We just called them Freezers...Spent too many hours frosting my azz in them during alerts from 76`79, and then again at "The Heath" from 82~85 with the 48th 493rd CRS,.

[@eleanorcowell7266]

I live here UwU

[@tingbase84]

Should be turned into a international airport

[@TheGalwayFarmer]

idiot

[@tingbase84]

TheGalwayFarmer why ?? It’s perfect for it the site is ideal very close to the m40 and in a much needed location