USAF Upper Heyford Part 1

USAF Upper Heyford • USAF Upper Heyford
USAF Upper Heyford Part 2 • USAF Upper Heyford Part 2
Home to the US nuclear bombers which kept Western Europe safe from Cold War armageddon.
Upper Heyford was one of the largest US Air Force bases in Europe, housing bombers that carried NATO's intermediate-range nuclear weapons.
Today, parts of the site are protected as scheduled monuments of national importance, as this is one of the oldest bases in the world with more than 100 years of history.
First used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 the airbase was later and more significantly used by United States Airforce as a UK base for strategic bombers, tactical reconnaissance, fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft. The airbase’s flight line was officially closed on 15th December 1993 and in January 1994 the final aircraft was transferred without personnel or equipment, to Carolina, USA. These days the airbase is occupied by rare bird species such as the Peregrine Falcon and Skylark, and houses various business Many of the shops have returned and service the local community, the hospital has been demolished along with other abandoned buildings to make way for new houses :(
Please like, subscribe or comment below.
Filmed with a Mavic pro
Music by: hooksounds.com
All Drone footage within CAA UK Regulations.
Special permission granted for some locations.
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro
Camera Equipment:
Phantom 4 Pro
Mavic Pro
3-axis gimbal
GoPro 3
Akaso 4k
Samsung Galaxy Gear 360
#TheHampshireFlyer
#UpperHeyfordairbase
#USAF

[@MrPerry61]

I was security police there in 84/85. That's the Weapon Storage Area. That older tower at 4:18 is left over from decades earlier and wasn't used by USAF. The tower at 4:54 was the parameter alarm station. One of the positions I manned.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Great info sir and thanks for watching.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIvPlWiFdtyomJI

[@ronaldmcgowan3697]

I was a SP there in 76-78 I too spent a lot of nights in that tower.

[@ronaldmcgowan3697]

I was a SP there 1976-78 spent a lot of time in the Weapons Storage Area in that tower.

[@atmidnight8740]

I was stationed at UH 1986 to 1990 as a Security Policeman. Hard core nuclear duty but still had some of the best times in my life there. Spent Many shifts in the WSA Tower at 2.00

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by my friend, would you be able to tell me what the building was used for @ 01:39

[@atmidnight8740]

@@TheHampshireFlyer If your referring to the 2 story white building it was "Not" a Secured building with alarms and cameras so I don't remember ever going in it or seeing anybody go in it on a regular daily basis. There was definitely nothing interesting about it when I was there. It could have been an older building that wasn't even used when I was there but I believed it was just normal infrastructure stuff for the area like a pump house maybe. Sorry best I can answer.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

​@@atmidnight8740 No problems my friend, it’s an unusual building as the windows are not windows just painted on and made to look like a workshop or something. I know inside there is a Secure vault. And nothing else.

[@atmidnight8740]

@@TheHampshireFlyer The secure vault gives me a clue that it must have been an old building used to work with and store classified info but was no longer in use when I was there. That's probably why I never paid much attention to it. lol

[@buzzabuzza3494]

Great to see the base is still around,unfortunately the MOD are selling off most of there land to huge housing developments.Its tragic that our ww1,2 and Cold War history is being lost at a rapid rate.Just imagine if we destroyed all the stately homes and castles etc.😞😞

[@hollow34]

I believe all the cold war installations are protected

[@AC-by3iv]

Was stationed here 1974 - 1976. Security Police D flight. The security tower (at the 4:25 mark) was at the north in the WSA . It was absolutely used by the USAF. I spent many a midnight shift in that tower with M-16, flack vest and starlight scope.

[@FoodFighters71]

Brilliant. I've done 3 base tours of Upper Heyford. And i manged to get there before they pulled the residential side down.Ie hospital,mall etc.So sad.This base was Massive.Ans i am so pleased they have got listed on most of it.Well done for that.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by my friend, unfortunately I didn’t get to see the old hospital or the old accommodation block due to the greedy developer pulling it down 😔 I was due to go on a base tour again this April but i’ve had to cancel. I’m hoping to get back up there in the summer to do some more aerial footage. Appreciate your comment my friend have a great day.

[@cwilson6990]

My Late Dad Air Force Career ! We lived so many places world ! Dad , was Stationed at Upper Heyford after being Stationed at Grenom Commons Air Base for 2 yrs ! In Newbury , we Didn't live in That Base lived in Newbury , motor coach bus picked us up for School to the Base , We lived at Upper Heyford on the Base , on Harris Rd main Rd in case housing for the NCO's 1964-1970. Dad worked in the Nuclear Bunkers ! went to School , at the Base School , NCO kids like me, Walked to School , & walked home for Lunch then back wasn't far had narrow sidewalk , Officer kids rode a Bus , from Thier Quarters Our school were Old prisoner of war barracks . Separate buildings for separate grades ! We had for us kids Recreation Center ! Was a Base Chapel Thrift Store , of course Px & Commissary , know now pictures on web Base housing have been Renovated into English Council homes They were all Duplexes ! Same Floor Plan still ! They were built in the Early 60's Thanks for posting ! Cathy nashville tn

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Hi Cathy, sorry for the late reply. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. it was interesting to read what it was like to grow up as a youngster at the airbase. And thank you for a piecing together some of the missing parts, as you know most of the base has now been demolished for redevelopment. I’m hoping to return in the summer to complete my final video which will cover the accommodation and marriage quarters etc. Once again thank you and God bless.

[@AgionOros]

A place with great history, very good video and footage my friend.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by my friend, Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@niveknilknarf9015]

Wow, great video Mark! Upper Heyford looks huge and very similiar to Alconbury, Cambs that is also disused as a military airfield, now given over to businesses. A little further along is USAF Molesworth, still in use but housed nukes there too. Lots of underground complexes on site.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks Kev, unfortunately 50% of Heyford has now been demolished, but there are still a few interesting buildings left. I'm hoping to visit bent waters and woolbridge over the coming months, Ive just got to make sure there is no flying restrictions before I make the long journey. Thanks for the heads up on alconbury and molesworth, Will have to do a bit of research on them. Have a great weekend Kev.

[@AllenOxendine]

Wow, such a big operation.. Can you imagine all the people involved in running this place... All the history.. Full View and Like

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

The place was that big Allen they built their own town.. unfortunately most of that has now been pulled down for redevelopment of houses. Thanks for watching in full and giving it a like. Have a great weekend my friend

[@cwilson6990]

My late Dad was , he was Air Force Career man , We lived on base & went to School on base 1964-1970 Dad worked in the Bunkers ! Great memories !

[@shaunthedrone]

Thumbs up ere' Mark, nice work over the base - must be amazing place to explore underground!!! Thanks for the info - another great video! Many thanks for sharing :)

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by Shaun, its a great place to explore.. bunker tours are available at £16 ahead, unfortunately 40% of the site is now being redeveloped for houses 😔 Have a great weekend.

[@chrissofpv3017]

Interesting!..much bigger than I imagined.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by my friend, this site is over 1000 acres and it is the oldest airbase in the UK being 102 years old.

[@chrissofpv3017]

@@TheHampshireFlyer 👍🍺

Excellent job! Thank you for sharing. 👍👌✌

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thank you for stopping by my friend, have a great weekend

[@cwilson6990]

1 more thing The Hospital was called the Base Infirmary ! & Had Separate Dental Clinic !

[@davestredulinsky]

Good aerial views of this former airbase and good historical information. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by Dave, makes you think back about the threat of war, and the level of operation readiness, Appreciate your comments and support.

[@ronaldmcgowan3697]

I was stationed there 1976-78

[@cwilson6990]

Also Near the End of your Video , the 2 Level Buildings were done of the Officer Housing Quarters ! The NCO as I said quarters were Duplexes & are still there Heyford Park , renovated & Our School the old Prisoner of War Barracks Were 1 Level Buildings Side by Side ! One entrance door , We had our Class Pictures made Outside at the Back of our Class buildings ! There were only about 200 families , living on the Base , when we were there !

[@paulgolden8183]

Great vid mate 👌👍

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks Paul, I will soon be making my way over to the Lovejoy country in the summer to film a couple more airbases. Have a great weekend mate.

[@joginns778]

Great video have watched the f111take off and land there many times now sad place to go what is the music love it,

[@Time2FLYAlDiaz]

Hats off to you, this is a marvelous flight, so much History it’s insane to even fathom. Well done!

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by Al Glad you enjoyed the video my friend

[@JMH7506]

I deliver fuel to the builders who are now at Upper Heyford and when I see all these aircraft silos up close I feel rather sad we no longer have a proper deterrent like this anymore. I cannot believe that the UK thought it was a great idea to close all our tactical military bases and reduce our personnel when there is clearly still a viable threat to our security???? Or am I missing the point?

[@DonJoyce]

Interesting footage and story. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for stopping by.

[@bdseidler]

Pretty interesting location. Surprised they let u fly it. Nice edit and descriptive information.

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

Thanks for stopping by Bernie, this is just one of the sites that I have visited and I have three more disused usaf airfields to visit over the coming months when the weather gets a little bit better, as it's now started to rain again :( access to this site is restricted unless you pay for the bunker tour. The airfield is disused and there is no restrictions.. happy days LOL. Have a great week sir.

[@johnpelszynski6646]

I WAS THERE IN THE EARLY 70'S FOR ONE MONTH TDY TO TRAIN THE TROOPS ON HOW TO GUARD THE NUKES.

[@roderick6359]

I was stationed there from 88-90 security A flight

[@kernow..exp.]

The secret vaults and i k s went there recently

[@TheHampshireFlyer]

I know mate, have already seen matts vid 👍 looking forward to part 2 of it.

[@kernow..exp.]

Me too mate