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RAF Halton is one of the larger Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts....
 (RAF) stations in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
, located near the village of Halton
Halton, Buckinghamshire

Halton is a small village and is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Vale district in Buckinghamshire, England about 2 miles from Wendover and 5 miles from Aylesbury....
 near Wendover
Wendover

Wendover is a market town that sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England. It is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Valedistrict....
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire is a Ceremonial counties of England and Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England home counties Counties of England in South East England England....
.

first recorded military aviation at Halton took place in 1913 when the then owner of the Halton estate, Alfred de Rothschild
Alfred de Rothschild

Alfred Charles de Rothschild was the second son of Lionel de Rothschild and Charlotte von Rothschild of the prominent Mayer Amschel Rothschild family....
 invited 3 Squadron
No. 3 Squadron RAF

No. 3 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Eurofighter Typhoon and T1 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire....
 of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery cooperation and photographic reconnaissance....
 to conduct manoeuvres on his land. Following a gentleman's agreement between Rothschild and Lord Kitchener, the estate was used by the British Army
British Army

The British Army is the Army branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707....
 throughout the First World War
World War I

World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
.






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RAF Halton is one of the larger Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts....
 (RAF) stations in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
, located near the village of Halton
Halton, Buckinghamshire

Halton is a small village and is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Vale district in Buckinghamshire, England about 2 miles from Wendover and 5 miles from Aylesbury....
 near Wendover
Wendover

Wendover is a market town that sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England. It is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Valedistrict....
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire is a Ceremonial counties of England and Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England home counties Counties of England in South East England England....
.

History

The first recorded military aviation at Halton took place in 1913 when the then owner of the Halton estate, Alfred de Rothschild
Alfred de Rothschild

Alfred Charles de Rothschild was the second son of Lionel de Rothschild and Charlotte von Rothschild of the prominent Mayer Amschel Rothschild family....
 invited 3 Squadron
No. 3 Squadron RAF

No. 3 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Eurofighter Typhoon and T1 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire....
 of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery cooperation and photographic reconnaissance....
 to conduct manoeuvres on his land. Following a gentleman's agreement between Rothschild and Lord Kitchener, the estate was used by the British Army
British Army

The British Army is the Army branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707....
 throughout the First World War
World War I

World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
. In 1916 the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery cooperation and photographic reconnaissance....
 moved its air mechanics school from Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield

Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Hampshire, Hampshire, England.Farnborough Aerodrome has a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee ....
, Hampshire to Halton and in 1917 the school was permanently accommodated in workshops built by German PoWs
Prisoner of war

A prisoner of war is a combatant who is held in continuing custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict....
. The whole estate was purchased by the British Government for the nascent Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts....
 at the end of the First World War
World War I

World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
 for £112,000.

In 1919 Lord Trenchard established the No. 1 School of Technical Training
No. 1 School of Technical Training

No 1 School of Technical Training is the Royal Air Force aircraft engineering school. From 1919 to 1993, the No 1 S of TT was based at RAF Halton and from 1920 until 1993 the School was the home of the Aircraft Apprentice Scheme....
 at RAF Halton (see aircraft apprentice
Aircraft Apprentice

File:Lord Trenchard presents trophy to RAF apprentice.jpgThe Aircraft Apprentice Scheme was a training programme for Royal Air Force Groundcrew personnel....
) which remained at the Station until it moved to RAF Cosford
RAF Cosford

DCAE Cosford is a Royal Air Force station in Cosford, Shropshire, Shropshire, just to the northwest of Wolverhampton and next to Albrighton, Bridgnorth....
 in the early 1990s. Also in 1919, Halton House
Halton House

Halton House is a English country house situated in the Chiltern Hills above the village of Halton, Buckinghamshire in Buckinghamshire, England....
 - a French
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
 style mansion built for Lionel de Rothschild
Lionel de Rothschild

Lionel Nathan de Rothschild was a British politician. The son of Nathan Mayer Rothschild and Hanna Barent Cohen, he was a member of the prominent Rothschild family....
 - was re-opened as the Station's Officers' Mess. Halton House
Halton House

Halton House is a English country house situated in the Chiltern Hills above the village of Halton, Buckinghamshire in Buckinghamshire, England....
 continues to be used as the Station's principal Officers' Mess.

Princess Mary's RAF Hospital Halton was opened in 1927 as a large military hospital. In 1995 the Hospital closed and although the buildings still stand, they are derelict and the surrounding married quarters have been sold off for private housing.

During World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
 RAF Halton continued its training role. Additionally, 112 Squadron and 402 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force was the air force of Canada from 1924 until 1968 when the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Forces....
 were based at Halton for part of the War.

In July 1952 the uncrowned Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Canada, Monarchy of Australia, Monarchy of New Zealand, Monarchy of Jamaica, Monarchy of Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Monarchy of the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sain...
 performed one of her first duties as Sovereign by presenting a colour
Colours, standards and guidons

In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, to act both as a rallying point for troops, and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago....
 to Number 1 School of Technical Training; the first to be awarded to an apprentice school, and the first ever to be presented to an 'other rank
Other Ranks

Other Ranks in the British Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force are those personnel who are not commissioned officers. In the Royal Navy, these personnel are called Naval ratings....
' when Sergeant Apprentice Hines, of the 63rd Entry, received the colour from Her Majesty.

When Number 1 School of Technical Training relocated to RAF Cosford
RAF Cosford

DCAE Cosford is a Royal Air Force station in Cosford, Shropshire, Shropshire, just to the northwest of Wolverhampton and next to Albrighton, Bridgnorth....
 in 1993 they took over guardianship of the Queen's Colour, and on 31 October 1997 Her Majesty presented RAF Halton with its second colour. RAF Halton was the only station to be granted the dignity of two Queen's colours.

From 1917 to 1963, a spur
Branch line

A branch line is a secondary Rail transport line which branches off a more important through route, usually a Main line . A very short branch line may be called a spur line....
 railway line
Halton Railway

Halton Railway was a spur line from Wendover to RAF Halton used to transport coal and other goods to RAF Halton. It closed in 1963.Opened in 1917, this branch line ran for and was constructed by German prisoners of war during World War I....
 ran from Wendover
Wendover

Wendover is a market town that sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England. It is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Valedistrict....
 to Halton to supply coal and goods to the base.

Current role

Now a non-technical ground training station, units based at Halton currently include:
  • Recruit Training Squadron - initial training for all non-commissioned entrants to the RAF (except RAF Regiment
    RAF Regiment

    The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence Corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 29 week training course, its members are responsible for defending airfields, and training Royal Air Force personnel in military skills....
     Gunners).
  • Airmen's Command Squadron - leadership and management training for non-commissioned officer
    Non-commissioned officer

    A non-commissioned officer , also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted rank member of an armed force who has been given authority by a officer ....
    s.
  • Catering Training Squadron - specialist training for RAF chefs, stewards,and Catering Officers.
  • Supply & Movements Training Wing - trains RAF personnel in all aspects of supply, movements and logistic management. It also trains RN and Army personnel in movements disciplines.
  • Specialist Training School - Health and Safety, Environmental Protection
    Environmental protection

    Environmental protection is an increasing concern of individuals, organisations and governments.Due to the pressures of population and technology the environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently....
    , Quality Management
    Quality management

    Quality control is a method for ensuring that all the activities necessary to design, develop and implement a product or service are effective and efficient with respect to the system and its performance....
     and Management and Procedural Skills Training.
  • Training Analysis Centre - carries out training needs analysis
    Training analysis

    Training Analysis is the formal process of identifying the training gap and its related training need....
    , and proposes appropriate training strategies for RAF ground trades and branches (with the exception of medical, musician and fire-fighter).
  • Defence Centre of Training Support
    Defence Centre of Training Support

    The Defence Centre of Training Support is a United Kingdom Ministry of Defence unit headquartered at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, England. It has a supporting element at HMNB Portsmouth in Portsmouth, England....
     - training military instructors and training managers, e-learning support services to the MOD, computer-based training production and video production.
  • Defence Dental Centre - headquarters and training centre for the tri-service Defence Dental Services.
  • 7644 (VR) Squadron, RAuxAF- a specialist media operations squadron.


Halton Airfield
The camp also includes a grass airfield primarily used for gliding
Gliding

Gliding refers to the descending flight of heavier-than-air craft, principally gliders s, hang gliders and paragliders. Technically, gliders, hang-gliders and paragliders are just different styles of glider used to pursue gliding and soaring for recreation, in the same way that sailboats and windsurfers share the lake and the wind....
 (an Air Cadet
Air Training Corps

The Air Training Corps is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organization and the Royal Air Force ....
 Volunteer Gliding Squadron and the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association Centre as well as the University College London
University College London

University College London is a university institution and constituent college of the University of London based primarily in London, England, United Kingdom....
 Union Gliding Club), light aircraft training and microlighting
Ultralight aviation

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, many people sought to be able to fly affordably. As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulation....
. This is also the HQ of Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is a Ceremonial counties of England and Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England Counties of England in the East of England region of England....
 and Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire is a Ceremonial counties of England and Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England home counties Counties of England in South East England England....
 Wing, Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps

The Air Training Corps is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organization and the Royal Air Force ....
.

External links