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Site Records
| The information within the RAP is used by the Air Defence Commander when deciding whether to investigate or perhaps even destroy an aircraft flying in an area without permission. Information is fed into the RAP from the RAF's ground-based radars and from the air defence systems of our neighbouring NATO partners. However, the UKASACS can also receive information via digital data-links from other ground, air or sea-based units including No 1 Air Control Centre. |
 RAF Saxa Vord seen from afar |
| This is part of the UK's Rapid Reaction Force which holds a high state of readiness to deploy worldwide in support of crisis. The United Kingdom Air Operations Centre (UKCAOC) is situated within Headquarters Strike Command at RAF High Wycombe. The UKCAOC is responsible for the overall coordination of the Air Defence, Ground Attack and Maritime Air elements of the RAF together with the air forces and navies of our NATO partners. |
The UK ASACS has 2 operational Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs) based at RAF Buchan north of Aberdeen and at RAF Neatishead which is northeast of Norwich. An additional stand-by CRC is found at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.
The CRCs are supported by a number of Reporting Posts (RPs) across the UK. These RPs are found at RAF Saxa Vord, RAF Benbecula in the Hebrides, RAF Staxton Wold near Scarborough and RP Portreath which is a satellite of RAF St. Mawgan on the north coast of Cornwall.
Saxa Vord remains the most northerly station in UKASACS and is an important part of the local economy, as are all military bases in such rural areas.
Photo by Nick Catford
In the summer of 1999 is was proposed to run down RAF Saxa Vord which was the mainstay of the island economy. Official figures predicted that total manpower at the base would fall from 193 to just 48 by 2001. Saxa Vord became a satellite of RAF Buchan. In April 2004 this decision was reversed with the station being upgraded to an independent operation once again following the announced draw-down of RAF Buchan.
Drawn by Bob Jenner
On the middle technical site the R10 remains although now out of use as is the former Admiralty Experimental Station alongside. The later R101 bunker is still in use, as is the covered way linking the middle and upper technical sites. A Canberra bungalow style guardhouse (the shorter version of the more familiar Rotor guardhouse) stood at the entrance to the middle site but this has now been demolished leaving no trace.
Photo by Terry Luxford
On the upper technical site the Type 80 modulator building has been demolished with a new building standing on its site adjacent to the radome. A Type 13 radar plinth still survives, straddled by a 25' steel gantry, this is believed to be the only surviving example of this style of ROTOR radar gantry.
The domestic site in Haroldswick has been almost completely rebuilt with two estates of new married quarters. The only surviving buildings from the ROTOR period are the guardhouse and the boiler house.
The above report was compiled in July 2004. RAF Saxa Vord closed on
1st March 2006 and has been placed on care and maintenance.
For more pictures including the domestic camp and personnel see Gordon Carle's Saxa Vord blog
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Click picture to enlarge
Sources:
- Ian Brown Historical Radar Archive
- Radar Pages web site
- Official Royal Airforce web site (Reference to Saxa Vord may now have been removed)
- Bob Jenner
- Keith Ward
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Last updated 21st May 2008
© 2008 Subterranea Britannica