RAF Machrihanish

For civilian use of the airport, see Campbeltown Airport.

MOD Machrihanish RAF Machrihanish Campbeltown Airport Port-adhair Ceann Loch
Control Tower
IATA: CAL – ICAO: EGEC
Summary
Airport type		Military/Public
Owner		Ministry of Defence
Operator		Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
Serves		Campbeltown
Location		Kintyre, Scotland
Elevation AMSL		42 ft / 13 m
Coordinates		55°26′14″N 005°41′11″W / 55.43722°N 5.68639°W / 55.43722; -5.68639Coordinates: 55°26′14″N 005°41′11″W / 55.43722°N 5.68639°W / 55.43722; -5.68639
Website		Campbeltown Airport
Map
EGEC Location in Argyll and Bute
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	m	ft
11/29	3,049	10,003	Asphalt
Statistics (2007)
Movements			3,674
Passengers			9,181
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1] Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority[2]

RAF Machrihanish is a former Royal Air Force station located 3 NM (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Campbeltown^[1] at the tip of Kintyre. It is now known as MoD Machrihanish and also incorporates Campbeltown Airport which has commercial flights to Glasgow, operated by Loganair.

Its runway is 3,049 m (10,003 ft) long. The United States maintained a Navy SEAL commando unit, a 20 person team known as Naval Special Warfare Detachment 1 (The other overseas Naval Special Warfare Detachments, 2 and 3 were based at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and Subic Bay, Philippines) at the base and the Royal Marines occasionally use the facility for training exercises. The civilian airport is located at the opposite end of the base from the hangars, bunkers and the SEAL building.

During the Cold War, Machrihanish was a strategically important North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) airfield, with its location giving immediate access to patrol & support naval operation over the North Atlantic. It was also valuable as a stopping point for transatlantic military flights.

An answer to the House of Commons in 2004 reveals that the base was handed over by the United States Navy back to Ministry of Defence control on June 30, 1995.^[3]

The base is now on what is termed "care and maintenance" — this allows the airfield to be used by civilian airlines, which may conduct scheduled and charter flights from the aerodrome. The MoD are responsible for the upkeep of the aerodrome, which may sometimes be used by military detachments whilst on exercise. During times of conflict or national emergency, the aerodrome could revert to its intended military use. In 2005 the MoD was still reported to be considering reactivating the base.^[4]

On 14 May 2009, it was announced that the base would be made available for sale.^[5]

See also

• RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Campbeltown - EGEC
2. ^ UK Airport Statistics: 2007 - annual
3. ^ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 23 Feb 2004 (pt 14)
4. ^ The Scotsman, [1]
5. ^ Campbeltown Courier, [2]

Further reading

• RAF Machrihanish at Secret Scotland Wiki