RAF Brawdy was a Royal Air Force (RAF) station located near the village of Brawdy on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales, United Kingdom. Established during the Second World War, the airfield originally served as a satellite station for RAF St. Davids and later became a front-line fighter base.
Operational History
| Period | Primary Use | Notable Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1943–1945 | Fighter operations during WWII | No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, No. 131 Squadron |
| 1946–1950 | Post‑war training and storage | No. 53 Maintenance Unit |
| 1950–1974 | NATO air defence and maritime patrol | No. 222 Squadron (Fairey Gannet), No. 266 Squadron (Hawker Hunter) |
| 1974–1993 | Transition to Royal Navy control (as RNAS Brawdy) | 819 Naval Air Squadron, 703 Naval Air Squadron |
| 1994–2010 | Air Cadet and Reserve use | Air Training Corps, RAF Volunteer Reserve units |
| 2011–present | Private aviation and industrial development | Brawdy Airport (civilian) |
During the Cold War, RAF Brawdy hosted squadrons equipped with aircraft such as the Hawker Hunter, Gloster Meteor, and later the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II under Royal Navy operation. The station was officially transferred to the Royal Navy in 1974 and redesignated as Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Brawdy, operating Sea Harrier and later Harrier GR.5 aircraft for maritime strike and training roles.
Facilities
The airfield featured a concrete runway (approximately 2,300 m in length) capable of handling jet aircraft, multiple hangars, dispersal aprons, and standard RAF support buildings. After its military closure, the runway and associated infrastructure were adapted for civilian use, with a modest terminal and hangar space supporting general aviation, skydiving, and limited cargo operations.
Closure and Current Status
RAF Brawdy was formally de‑commissioned as an active RAF station in the early 1990s. Following the transfer to civilian control, the site has been marketed as “Brawdy Airport” and hosts a mixture of private flying clubs, aerospace maintenance firms, and occasional military training exercises. The surrounding area remains under the jurisdiction of Pembrokeshire County Council, with the former station’s land used for both aviation and non‑aviation commercial development.
Historical Significance
RAF Brawdy played a role in the United Kingdom’s air defence network throughout the mid‑20th century, transitioning between RAF and Royal Navy control in response to evolving strategic requirements. Its continued use for civil aviation reflects the broader pattern of former military airfields being repurposed for commercial and recreational aviation activities in the UK.
