St Mawgan - The time has finally come
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St Mawgan - The time has finally come
Notam is out for the ceasing of all military flying operations tomorrow.
Very sad day and no send off either....
RAF ST MAWGAN CEASES MILITARY FLYING OPERATIONS ON 31 JULY 2008.
FROM 01 AUGUST 2008 NO MILITARY HANDLING SERVICES WHATSOEVER WILL BE AVBL. MIL ACFT WISHING TO USE ST MAWGAN FROM 01 AUGUST 2008 REQUIRE 24HRS PPR AND MUST CONTACT MID WEST EXECUTIVE TEL NO 01637 860551.
I heard a rumour that the MoD were still to keep hold of the Treloy area and HAS complex but hearing further rumours that 'all' exercises will be transfered to either Culdrose or elsewhere, what would the MoD still want the Treloy area for?
Also, now that JMF have moved from their bunker to the USA, does the MoD still own the bunker or has this been sold off or given for usage to the civilian owners?
Very sad day and no send off either....
RAF ST MAWGAN CEASES MILITARY FLYING OPERATIONS ON 31 JULY 2008.
FROM 01 AUGUST 2008 NO MILITARY HANDLING SERVICES WHATSOEVER WILL BE AVBL. MIL ACFT WISHING TO USE ST MAWGAN FROM 01 AUGUST 2008 REQUIRE 24HRS PPR AND MUST CONTACT MID WEST EXECUTIVE TEL NO 01637 860551.
I heard a rumour that the MoD were still to keep hold of the Treloy area and HAS complex but hearing further rumours that 'all' exercises will be transfered to either Culdrose or elsewhere, what would the MoD still want the Treloy area for?
Also, now that JMF have moved from their bunker to the USA, does the MoD still own the bunker or has this been sold off or given for usage to the civilian owners?
So where will the SERE TC and 203 Sqn move to?
If JMF has moved back to CONUS, will they come back and re locate in Uk in the near future?
If JMF has moved back to CONUS, will they come back and re locate in Uk in the near future?
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Chooper2004, 203(R) Sqn moved to RAF Valley back in May, but currently on tour around the country. SERE remain at St Mawgan using the domestic side and part of Treloy.
Shandyman
Thanks for that but take it JMf will still be in its enclave protected by Marine Corps and Mod Police?
Will it go to Culdrose or Yeovilton or go?
Thanks for that but take it JMf will still be in its enclave protected by Marine Corps and Mod Police?
Will it go to Culdrose or Yeovilton or go?
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What a sad end to flying at a cracking little station. I've only had the pleasure of visiting recently but on both occasions I've had a fantastic time - even though I was in the Shakleton mess, which is a bit ropey!
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JMF status quo remains as is until next year. No MOD Police at Mawgan though......
Treloy and HAS site included in land sale with the airfield - Trebelsue will remain as MOD property.
A sad day indeed. I hope the new airport succeeds as many jobs will be dependent on the venture. Still think its a short sighted decision to close it as a military airfield though.
Treloy and HAS site included in land sale with the airfield - Trebelsue will remain as MOD property.
A sad day indeed. I hope the new airport succeeds as many jobs will be dependent on the venture. Still think its a short sighted decision to close it as a military airfield though.
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Hoorah!
The best decision ever was the demise of Forty Who, which rang the death knell for that holiday camp
No more delayed briefings and SAR Handovers waiting for some 4th Division South Tosser, who had a full dining room at breakfast time
Will be gladly missed
The best decision ever was the demise of Forty Who, which rang the death knell for that holiday camp
No more delayed briefings and SAR Handovers waiting for some 4th Division South Tosser, who had a full dining room at breakfast time
Will be gladly missed
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Sounds like a jealous man, and at a guess one who never did a tour there 
It would be interesting to see the stats on SAR handovers, as the dedicated Sqn groundcrew we had were rarely bettered when it came to Aird Wyte trophies and alike.
Just my opinion but having been posted to both stations, there was a flexibility about 42 Sqn crews, freed from the GSU breathing down your neck in the next hangar.
In my time at Kinloss there was greater emphasis in chasing numbers on the stats board, than there was in actually being adaptable to the ever changing ASW world.
Time to move on my friend and just accept that the best has sadly gone
You can pull me up now the bite has been taken
It would be interesting to see the stats on SAR handovers, as the dedicated Sqn groundcrew we had were rarely bettered when it came to Aird Wyte trophies and alike.
Just my opinion but having been posted to both stations, there was a flexibility about 42 Sqn crews, freed from the GSU breathing down your neck in the next hangar.
In my time at Kinloss there was greater emphasis in chasing numbers on the stats board, than there was in actually being adaptable to the ever changing ASW world.
Time to move on my friend and just accept that the best has sadly gone
You can pull me up now the bite has been taken
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The Old Fat One
I must work on not going for the worm early, sit back and take your approach.
For me it was also the best time in the RAF, some great crews, great people and great laughs. Just a shame I missed the last 'Round the World' year 42 had before goin norf.
I must work on not going for the worm early, sit back and take your approach.
For me it was also the best time in the RAF, some great crews, great people and great laughs. Just a shame I missed the last 'Round the World' year 42 had before goin norf.
Had a very happy six years at St Mawgan and flew the last Nimrod out of there when 42(TB) Sqn disbanded. Fantastic location for a posting and such a relaxed station with only one flying Sqn, it's a great shame that it's closing.
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From what i have read so far (and previously on other threads) it seems St Mawgan was one of the best stations to be based at and blessed by everyone who has been stationed there.
For what reasons do you guys make it being a great place to live and work, was it the proximity to Newquay for the night life or was it just generally a good'un all round? As the weather, like Culdrose can be a bit sh1t at times.
It seems even those who have just been detached there for a week or two have gone home having enjoyed the place.
How would you compare it to stations like Chivenor? Both now of course having no flying units apart from two Seakings at Chivenor.
Just seems complete and utter madness that it is now closed to military flying. The local residents around the vicinity of the air station moaning even about a week of Typhoons flying. Yet i bet the oldies who lived with the Nimrods based there probably wanted the opposite, to get it flying again and seeing more active service there.
Living in the south west and not far south of Chivenor, this part of the country is now becoming a very quiet place.
Now the Shars have gone, hawks from Chivenor and so on, not even the Tonkas, Harriers or Eagles are using the area much now. I bet the horseys are loving it.
Also, although most of the exercises around the south west will now disappear (as St Mawgan supported most of these) can and will St Mawgan support any type of military exercise in the future like other civil airports such as Carlisle?
Not being in the military myself, i'm completely gutted it has closed to mil flying, just like i was Chivenor.
For what reasons do you guys make it being a great place to live and work, was it the proximity to Newquay for the night life or was it just generally a good'un all round? As the weather, like Culdrose can be a bit sh1t at times.
It seems even those who have just been detached there for a week or two have gone home having enjoyed the place.
How would you compare it to stations like Chivenor? Both now of course having no flying units apart from two Seakings at Chivenor.
Just seems complete and utter madness that it is now closed to military flying. The local residents around the vicinity of the air station moaning even about a week of Typhoons flying. Yet i bet the oldies who lived with the Nimrods based there probably wanted the opposite, to get it flying again and seeing more active service there.
Living in the south west and not far south of Chivenor, this part of the country is now becoming a very quiet place.
Now the Shars have gone, hawks from Chivenor and so on, not even the Tonkas, Harriers or Eagles are using the area much now. I bet the horseys are loving it.
Also, although most of the exercises around the south west will now disappear (as St Mawgan supported most of these) can and will St Mawgan support any type of military exercise in the future like other civil airports such as Carlisle?
Not being in the military myself, i'm completely gutted it has closed to mil flying, just like i was Chivenor.
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One of the widest runways in the UK at 9000 feet +, only 300 long using that direction tho 
Did 2 tours, late 70s to early 80s - young simple and single, had a marvellous time. Second tour when we lost the jets to the politicians in jockistan.
Airdays, blowing up stuff for the attack runs by Buccanneers. Huge AOCs parades. Freedoms of Newquay, Truro, St Columb etc, all good days out with free beer flowing.
The closure decision was a major factor in my career change - could not envisage staying in MQs any longer and own our house in sunny (not today) Newquay.
Good place for many of the best reasons - people, job to do, work and play hard, banter with the crews, competing to be galley rat, SAROPs, Fastnet race response, strong rugby club, ex cpls end in the mess bar
Having my 'own' little tanks to play with.
All over now. Turn the page and walk on.
Did 2 tours, late 70s to early 80s - young simple and single, had a marvellous time. Second tour when we lost the jets to the politicians in jockistan.
Airdays, blowing up stuff for the attack runs by Buccanneers. Huge AOCs parades. Freedoms of Newquay, Truro, St Columb etc, all good days out with free beer flowing.
The closure decision was a major factor in my career change - could not envisage staying in MQs any longer and own our house in sunny (not today) Newquay.
Good place for many of the best reasons - people, job to do, work and play hard, banter with the crews, competing to be galley rat, SAROPs, Fastnet race response, strong rugby club, ex cpls end in the mess bar
Having my 'own' little tanks to play with.All over now. Turn the page and walk on.
Served my time at both St Mawgan and Kinloss. Because of the posts I filled I had some insight into the way the operations organisations at both stations functioned. There is a natural tendency to load the blame on another agency if this is a possibility, but the readiness by some a Kinloss to do so was quite noticeable.
However when all was said and done Kinloss deserved its title as:
"The Crossroads Of ASW"
'tis such a pity that it had a cast of similar calibre
YS
However when all was said and done Kinloss deserved its title as:
"The Crossroads Of ASW"
'tis such a pity that it had a cast of similar calibre
YS
Gainesy, you can add Thorney Island, Tangmere and West Malling to that list! And even Abingdon.... Brawdy too. And Wattisham.
St Mawgan air days were excellent! As were our UAS Summer Camps (when the RAF could still afford such things...
) - although 'the weather can be a bit sh1t at times' is something of an understatement.
Yes, Speccers, you will no doubt have good reason to remember one particuar ULAS camp....
A great shame that another excellent station has closed; the fun detecting bean counters have struck again.
Buoy 15, your spiteful comments are unworthy. Grow up or bugger off.
St Mawgan air days were excellent! As were our UAS Summer Camps (when the RAF could still afford such things...
) - although 'the weather can be a bit sh1t at times' is something of an understatement.Yes, Speccers, you will no doubt have good reason to remember one particuar ULAS camp....
A great shame that another excellent station has closed; the fun detecting bean counters have struck again.
Buoy 15, your spiteful comments are unworthy. Grow up or bugger off.
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There seems to be a trend of wherever I went on summer camp with the UAS, the station later gets closed... First Coltishall and now St. Mawgan! Both awesome stations and yes, the weather can be crap at St. Mawgan! Clag on deck on the airfield but perfect conditions on the beach just below! Fantastic summer... Shame no-one else will get to experience it!