RAF Croughton

RAF Croughton is about 6-8 miles from RAF Upper Heyford and personnel routinely shuttled between the bases. It was not uncommon for personnel stationed at UH to live in the barracks at RAF Croughton if space was available. One advantage was that personnel who worked at night at UH could get a relatively undisturbed sleep during the day at RAF Croughton while the planes were flying at Heyford. Another advantage was that there was less "Brass" (fewer officers) to salute.

This web page is simply a scrapbook of memories from the era when RAF Upper Heyford was operational.

RAF Croughton is still operational today and has it's own website which is not afilliated with this one.

For current information about RAF Croughton, please visit the official web site at: http://www.croughton.af.mil

The 1960's

"Typical Saturday morning at the Croughton trap and skeet range 1968."
Submitted by George Stiffler, Upper Heyford Dental Clinic 1965 - 1968.

Croughton Trap Range
"Trap shooting in the Saturday morning mist at the Croughton Trap and Skeet range 1967-68. The facility was used by both americans and Brits."
Submitted by George Stiffler, Upper Heyford Dental Clinic 1965 - 1968.

Firearms Form 18
"My British issued shotgun permit. I shot at the Croughton Trap and Skeet range. 1968"
Submitted by George Stiffler, Upper Heyford Dental Clinic 1965 - 1968.

The 1970's

"I found another picture from Croughton 1970. Sgt Harry Hartford (flight surgeon office), Sgt Mike Szymanski x-ray tech and Frank Duslak (dental tech) ambulance (Cracker Box) is in front of Croughton medical barracks."
Submitted by Ken Howley, 66 TAC Hospital & 20 TAC Hospital, Jun 1968 - Nov 1971.

2130th Communications Squadron
OL9AJ USAF Postal and Courier (Hq CMD)
Det 40, 2nd Weather Wing
Submitted by James Burrell, 20th MMS, bomb crew 12, Sep 1975 - Sep 1977.

"Here is a Upper Heyford Skyking Football program dated 11 Nov 1972."

Submitted by Paul DeHart, 2130th CommGp, RAF Croughton, Oct 1972 - Oct 1974.
"...a RAF Croughton Basketball program."

UK Championship, 1973
Submitted by Paul DeHart, 2130th CommGp, RAF Croughton, Oct 1972 - Oct 1974.

RAF Croughton Barracks - May 1973
(photo taken from chow hall toward barracks)
Submitted by MSgt Paul DeHart USAFR (RET)
2130th Comm Flight, RAF Croughton (1972-1974).

Defense Communications Agency (DCA)
Submitted by James Burrell, 20th MMS, bomb crew 12, Sep 1975 - Sep 1977.

RAF Croughton
On approach to RAF Croughton, Main Entrance, 1977.
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978.

RAF Croughton Main Entrance Sign, 1977
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978.

RAF Croughton Rear Entrance, 1977
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978.

Pete Bliss, Sgt
Dougy Parker, A1C
Coughton Fire Station, 1971
Submitted by Guy Vincent, 66th CES / 20th CES Oct 1968 - Jan 1972.

Heyford 13 & Heyford 15
Coughton Fire Station, 1971
Submitted by Guy Vincent, 66th CES / 20th CES Oct 1968 - Jan 1972.

Left to right: A1C Banks, SSgt. Mack, and A1C Ghromen
Croughton Fire Station 1971
Submitted by Guy Vincent, 66th CES / 20th CES Oct 1968 - Jan 1972.

View of Croughton from Croughton Fire Station 1971
Theater -
Dental Clinic - Far Left
USO Club - Left Center
Post Office - Right Center
Submitted by Guy Vincent, 66th CES / 20th CES Oct 1968 - Jan 1972.

Hospital Barricks at RAF Croughton.
Submitted by Cliff Steenhoff, USAF Hospital (USAFE), 1970 - 1973.

20th SPS Training Day at RAF Croughton...
1978 - A1C Richard "Skitch" Hendrickson (Right) at remedial training on the M-60 machine gun at RAF Croughton.
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978.

20th SPS Training Day at RAF Croughton...
1978 - 20th SPS, "C" Flight Security... A1C Mike Lovette (Right) at remedial training on the M-60 machine gun at RAF Croughton.
Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978.

20th SPS Baseball Game at RAF Croughton... 1978
A1C Scott "Cloudy" Fairweather at bat.

1978 - A1C Scott "Cloudy" Fairweather with newlywed bride, Cindy.

"Rare Snowball Fight at RAF Croughton, 1975 (The guy is facing the WAF Dorm)."
Submitted by "Sparky" Kincaid (now Allen), 20th AMS, 1975 - 1977.

"RAF Croughton 1975. Nuff Said. (Marlboro Man). These guys worked at the Receiver Site."
Update: Marlboro Man's "horse" is none other than Kerry McGee, who worked at the aeronautical station, Dec 1971 to July 1975.
Submitted by "Sparky" Kincade (now Allen), 20th AMS, 1975 - 1977.

Croughton High School
Page 26, submitted by James Burrell, 20th MMS, bomb crew 12, Sep 1975 - Sep 1977.

Croughton Elementary School
Housing
Page 27, submitted by James Burrell, 20th MMS, bomb crew 12, Sep 1975 - Sep 1977.

The 1980's

From page 12 of the "Welcome To Britain '82 - '83" information packet.
Submitted by John Double, 20th CRS/Automatic Test Stations, Jul 1983 - Sep 1990.

2168th Communications Squadron patch.
Motto: "STRIVING FOR PERFECTION"
Submitted by Tim Lucas, 2168 Comm Squadron
Communications Electronics Readiness Team (CERT)
Sep 1986 - Feb 1991.
On 1 May 1991, eight months after it was assigned to the 20th TFW, the 2168th Communications Squadron was redesignated the 620th Communications Squadron.

The 2000's

"Barry the Barber" now cuts hair at RAF Croughton Tuesday through Thursday, and at RAF Fairford on Mondays and Fridays. Barry has cut hair at Heyford for almost 30 years until its closure in 1994." Photos taken in July 2001, submitted by Tom Wetherby, 20th EMS AMMO, 1987 - 1989.

"Jerry" Photos taken in July 2001, submitted by Tom Wetherby, 20th EMS AMMO, 1987-1989.

Notes & Quotes

"Greenham and UH veteran Rob Booth moved an F-100 to be the gate guardian at Croughton where it still stands. He closed up at Heyford 10 years ago." Jonathan [last name witheld by request].

"The Static Display plane was moved from RAF Upper Heyford to RAF Croughton late 1993, early 1994."
Submitted by Rollie Stewart III, 20th Transportation Squadron, 1992 - 1994.

"On the First of September 1978, the 7016 EOD Flight was activated at RAF Croughton, in the old Airman's Club, across the street from the Black Knight. It was originally assigned one Officer and 18 Enlisted Nco's and Airman. Given the responsiblity of the Western United Kingdom for US Explosive Ordance Disposal. It was moved to RAF Bicester after I left Croughton in 84, I believe it went over to Bicester in 88 or 89. It was then deactivated after RAF Upper Heyford was closed. It was a good place to be stationed. A lot of good memories were brought back, when I read your Web-Site. We had the EOD Annual Spring Picnic which brought in over 750 EOD personal representing over 15 countries of the EOD Techs. In all of England, during the Picnic, only 7 British were not at the party, there were 19 C130's on alert to take them back to their stations. They would close RAF CROUGHTON for 6 weeks prior and during the time the picnic was going on. We had tents, lined up in the back of the EOD Building, and it was a great time, had by all. The NCO CLUB, never closed the whole time the Picnic was going on. We went through a lot of food and learned different languages for beer, hamburgers and hot dogs."
Bill Whitten MSgt Retired

General Information about RAF Croughton
For current information about RAF Croughton, please visit the official web site at: http://www.croughton.af.mil

BASE LOCATION
RAF Croughton is located in a rural area near Brackley, Northamptonshire, about 25 miles north of Oxford and 52 miles northwest of London's Heathrow airport. On the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds, the local Croughton area includes many small villages, historical sites, numerous pubs, and wonderful scenery.
BASE INFORMATION
RAF Croughton is the home of the 422nd Air Base Squadron, comprised of about 500 military, US government service and British Ministry of Defence (MOD) members.
MISSION
The primary mission of the 422nd is to provide command, control, communications and computer (C4) support to DoD and civilian agencies across the European theater as well as base level functions and services for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
BASE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Croughton community offers a comprehensive and balanced program of leisure and recreational activities, including a library, outdoor recreation office, bowling center, auto skills center, recreation checkout facility, lodging facilities, consolidated club, Community Activities Center, Skills Development Center, Youth Activities Center, Child Development Center, Fitness Center, veterinary services, post office and an Information, Tickets and Tours office. There is a Family Services program with a loan locker and airman's attic and a comprehensive religious program. RAF Croughton has a small Base Exchange and Commissary for military/government ID holders. The Food Court and Bowling Alley serve meals during the day and the Consolidated Club has a limited ala Carte dinner menu and bar meals available most evenings.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER
The Community Activities Center provides a large function room suitable for parties, weddings, social events, large meetings/conference facilities, movies and more. A kitchen and bar are attached to the function room. Other facilities and services include a golf simulator, TV Room with a video selection, pool table, darts, foosball table, computer games room, lounge area, snack bar and the Cloud 9 Balloon shop.
HOUSING
There is government housing for enlisted members and officers, consisting of single and two story units with two to four bedrooms. Single members in the grade of TSgt or above are generally authorized to live off base in the local community.
SHOPPING
The Base Exchange offers the limited selection of goods you would normally find at a small comparable stateside store. There is also a service station, shoppette, concession mall, beauty and barber shop, Bookmark and video store, dry cleaners, optical shop, tailor shop, New Car Sales and Antique Shop. Larger items can be purchased or transferred from the large BX at RAF Lakenheath which is located two hours northeast of Croughton.
COMMISSARY
RAF Croughton's Base Commissary offers an excellent variety of foods, from fresh vegetables to your favorite cut of meat. Special orders are also accepted and there is a bakery and deli.
SCHOOLS
The Croughton American School, operated through the Department of Defense Dependents Schools System, offers a comprehensive K-8 curriculum. The base Education Center, building 204, provides a variety of undergraduate courses through the University of Maryland. The Education Center has an overhead projector, TV/VCR, telephones, fax machine, photocopier, classroom and computer lab.
MEDICAL
There are some limitations in the conditions that can be handled at the Medical Aid Station (MAS). The Primary Care Clinic of the Medical Flight provides outpatient medical care. Two board-certified family physicians are available to evaluate and treat most common medical problems, simple emergencies and minor surgical procedures. Laboratory services are also available and radiology studies are provided by local national facilities or at RAF Lakenheath. A social worker is also available to provide counseling, stress management and behavioral services.
DENTAL
Comprehensive dental care is provided for all active duty members and their families. A broad range of specialty care is available for both the Primary Care and Dental Clinics through referrals to local national physicians or at RAF Lakenheath. External support is provided by the 48th Medical Group at RAF Lakenheath and by host nation medical facilities. The MAS is not staffed to support night or weekend care so personnel are asked to consider enrolling in the National Health Service (NHS) with a local general practitioner.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
There are Catholic and Protestant Services, and also denominational servces, Sundays at the Base Chapel. Sunday School and CCD services are also available.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS ADVISOR
Located in Bldg 200. This is the place to go for complete local interest information, theatre schedules, and bus and train timetables. Phone extension 8147.
GETTING AROUND

ON BASE: A permit is needed to drive on base and a pass is required for your car.

TRAINS: The closest rail link is in Bicester (pronounced "Biss-ter") about 6 miles away. Phone (0345) 484950 for train service details anywhere in the country.

BUSES: Call (01865) 7895400 for information about busses in the local area and national bus routes. There is a daily shuttle bus to RAF Lakenheath on a "space available" basis for those needing a larger selection of American goods at the Base Exchange.

TAXIS: Private Hire cars operate on base. Each driver carries a listing of the agreed price to all surrounding towns and villages. When on base, you can phone for a taxi but drivers cannot respond to calls from off base. For taxis in other towns consult the Yellow Pages directory.

ACCOMMODATION
There is limited accommodation on a "space available" basis on RAF Croughton, but accommodation is also available off base. Prices range from L20-50 at local hotels, pubs, and bed and breakfast establishments.

Places of Interest within easy reach of Croughton

London � Frequent train and bus service between Oxford and London (60-90 minutes), and Bicester (6 miles south of Croughton), and London (80-90 minutes) exists.
Oxford - This famous University City is located 20 miles south of the base.
Blenheim Palace - Home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Warwick - Located 30 miles north of Croughton is a lovely old town with the oldest inhabited medieval castle in England.
Stratford-Upon-Avon - Located 35 miles northwest of Croughton, is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and accessible by train from Oxford and Banbury.

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This page was last updated on 6 January 2008.