Greenham Common – RAF Base History 1941–1992 & Legacy
​Greenham Common was a pivotal RAF and US Air Force base located south of Newbury and Thatcham in Berkshire. Active from World War II through the Cold War and later home to the 501st Tactical Missile Wing equipped with Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM), the base played a key role in 20th-century defence and geopolitics. Though the airfield closed in September 1992, Greenham Common’s history lives on through this digital archive — a tribute to its past and a resource for historians, veterans, and the public.
Discover the Rich History of RAF Greenham Common
Explore detailed sections covering:
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World War II operations and the role of Greenham Common during global conflict.
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Cold War era: the arrival of USAF Strategic Air Command and B-47s, followed by the 501st Tactical Missile Wing.
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The Cruise Missile period: deployment, protests, and base closure.
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Post-closure legacy: how Greenham Common is remembered today through archives, photos, films, and community memory.
Browse Our Archives — Photos, Documents & Personal Stories
We host an extensive collection of materials, including:
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Vintage photographs of the base, personnel, and aircraft
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Historic maps (e.g. 1957 airfield map below)
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Personal accounts, guestbook entries, and forum discussions
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Rare film footage and documented testimonies
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Greenham Common map (click to expand)
RECENT NEWS:​
Dec 12 2025: B-17/Horsa crash remembrance event:
The Royal British Legion and Greenham Common Control Tower join together to hold a Memorial Service for U.S. Servicemen at 12:00 noon. This annual service honours the lives lost in two tragic incidents at Greenham Common during December 1944. On 12 December 1944, a Horsa glider crashed at Greenham Common, resulting in the deaths of 31 troops and two pilots. Just three days later, on 15 December 1944, two B-17 Flying Fortresses returning from a raid over Germany collided in poor weather above Greenham. Of the 18 airmen on board, only two survived.
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A revised version of In Defense of Freedom; a History of RAF Greenham Common is now available.​
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Since May 7 2018
