RNAS Yeovilton turns 21

This is the Royal Navy Air Station RNAS Yeovilton’s 21st anniversary celebrating its commissioning in 1940 and the day has attracted over 10,000 visitors. RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset also known as HMS Heron with Cornwall’s RNAS Culdrose are the Navy’s two principal air bases and includes nearby RNAS Merryfield and the satellite station at Ilton. The Fleet Air Arm Museum is dedicated to the history of British naval aviation and is also based at RNAS Yeovilton.

The station was set up as the Naval Air Fighter School after the land was commandeered from the Church of England in 1939. After the Second World War the station developed with the advent of jet aircraft and runways were extended. In May 1953, it became the headquarters of Flag Officer Flying Training and following further investment in the 1960s the School of Fighter Direction trained officers on radar, navigation and communications. The office of Flag Officer Naval Air Command transferred from RNAS Lee-on-Solent and the base became and remains home to Navy and British Army helicopter squadrons. Vulcan bombers and Harrier jump jets used to be based here. An annual International Air Day takes place in July.