Royal flight back at base for first time in 25 years

THE Queen’s Flight will be back at RAF Benson this month for the first time in almost 25 years.

The Royal Air Force’s VIP transport Squadron, 32 (The Royal) Squadron, will return to its historic home temporarily until October.

The short relocation is necessary due to runway resurfacing work takling place at RAF Northolt in West London, where 32 Squadron is currently based.

The Queen’s Flight was established as the King’s Flight at RAF Benson in 1936, when Edward VIII was on the throne, and remained there for more than half a century.

In 1996, 32 (The Royal) Squadron was formed at RAF Northolt from the merger of the Queen’s Flight and 32 Squadron to provide VIP transport to UK military and government leaders.

Group Captain Adam Wardrope, station commander at RAF Benson, said: “In our 80th anniversary year, we are delighted to temporarily welcome 32 (The Royal) Squadron back to RAF Benson. We have been working closely with our colleagues at RAF Northolt to ensure that we can deliver the same outstanding level of service to their passengers while minimising the impact on our local community.

“While those in the local area will see BAe 146 aircraft, and on occasion small helicopters transporting passengers, operating alongside the RAF Benson Puma and Chinook helicopters for the period, we do not expect there to be a significant increase in air traffic.

“We are also working closely with other local airspace users to ensure that air safety is maintained for all.”

At times, there will also be visiting Leonardo AW109 helicopters, which are similar in size to the Puma helicopters that have operated at Benson for many years

Wing Commander Caz Viles Officer commanding 32 (The Royal) Squadron, said: “RAF Benson is the historic home of VIP flying for the Royal Air Force, so we are grateful and honoured to return there during the runway works at Northolt.

“Although the squadron’s location will be different our role remains the same: to get the right person to the right place at the right time.

“The Northolt and Benson teams have been working together brilliantly to make that happen.”

In October, a £23 million contract to resurface the runway at RAF Northholt was awarded to Lagan Aviation Infrastructure.

The work will extend the life of the runway by 10 to 15 years and ensure military flying operations continue.

RAF Northolt, which is the last military airfield inside the M25, is home to 33 supported units. 

RAF Benson says it cannot give details of aircraft operations but does not expect there to be a “significant” impact on the community. It has asked residents to remain vigilant and report anything of a suspicious nature to the RAF Police or Military Provost Guard Service at RAF Benson on (01491) 837766 ext 7450 or (01491) 827247.

Meanwhile, the base has asked Benson Parish Council for permission to erect “no drone zone” signs in areas that are likely to be used for drone flying, notably Sunnyside recreation ground. Areas falling within 5km of the airfield are inside the zone.

Benson Parish Council chairman Bill Pattison said: “There will be signs going up in places where they think people might go and fly a drone. It’s so open around here it could be anywhere.

“With the possibility of dignitaries being in the area now as well, they are going to be really stringent.”

Councillor John Sharman asked if the base would consult with the council, saying: “I don’t like signs.”

Cllr Pattison replied: “They have said they are not going to go silly with it.”