RAF Sturgate   | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Air Force United States Air Force | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||
| Built | 1944 | ||||||||||||||||||
| In use | 1944-1946 1953-1964 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 52 ft / 16 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 53°22′45″N 000°40′59″W / 53.37917°N 0.68306°W | ||||||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||||||
  RAF Sturgate Location in Lincolnshire | |||||||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
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Royal Air Force Sturgate or more simply RAF Sturgate is a former Royal Air Force station located 10 miles (16 km) north of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.
The airfield was opened in 1944 at Royal Air Force Sturgate.[1] Originally used for blind flying training two operational Lancaster squadrons arrived in June 1945 but both then moved to RAF Waddington in January 1946. The station closed to flying between 1946 and 1953.
| Unit | Dates | Aircraft | Variant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 50 Squadron RAF | 1945-1946 | Avro Lancaster | I & III | Four-engined heavy bomber.[2] |
| No. 61 Squadron RAF | 1945-1946 | Avro Lancaster | II | Four-engined heavy bomber.[3] |
In 1953 the station was allocated for use by the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command and the 508th Strategic Fighter Wing operating the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. It was also used to house SAC bombers on temporary duty (TDY) from the United States. From 1959, it was used for logistical support facilities for 99th Munitions Maintenance Squadron (USAF) located at the PGM-17 Thor missile unit at nearby RAF Hemswell. The airfield was closed in 1964.
A corner of the original airfield is now used as an unlicensed aerodrome for civil use as Sturgate Airfield.
