RAF Menwith Hill
RAF Menwith Hill
 
|
|
|---|---|
| Part of USAF Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (AFISR) | |
| Near Harrogate, North Yorkshire in England | |
 |
|
 RAF Menwith Hill
Shown within North Yorkshire
|
|
| Coordinates | 54°00′29″N 001°41′24″W / 54.00806°N 1.69000°WCoordinates: 54°00′29″N 001°41′24″W / 54.00806°N 1.69000°W |
| Type | Royal Air Force station |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |
Royal Air Force United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1954 |
| In use | 1958-Present |
| Battles/wars | Cold War |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 451st Intelligence Squadron |
Royal Air Force Menwith Hill or more simply RAF Menwith Hill is a Royal Air Force station near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England which provides communications and intelligence support services to the United Kingdom and the United States. The site contains an extensive satellite ground station and is a communications intercept and missile warning site and has been described as the largest electronic monitoring station in the world.
RAF Menwith Hill is commanded by a Royal Air Force Officer, supported by an RAF element, whilst a large contingent of support services are provided by the United States Air Force, 421st Air Base Group, and US National Security Agency. In 2014, the number of American personnel stationed at Menwith Hill was reduced as part of a streamlining of operations due to improvements in computer and information technology.
The site acts as a ground station for a number of satellites operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office, on behalf of the US National Security Agency, with antennae contained in a large number of highly distinctive white radomes, and is alleged to be an element of the ECHELON system.
Menwith Hill Station was opened on 545 acres (2.21 km2) of land acquired by the British War Office in 1954 and leased to the United States. The United States Army Security Agency established a high frequency radio monitoring capability, monitoring communications emanating from the Soviet Union, operating from 1958.
...
Wikipedia