home page

RAF STATION KIRKNEWTON, SCOTLAND

and the

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

(1952-1966)

United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS)

6952nd Security Group

(formerly 6952nd Radio Squadron Mobile)

(formerly 37th Radio Squadron Mobile)

and the

7535th Air Base Squadron

USAF OPERATION

U.S. Air Force operations began in August 1952 with 17 officers and 155 airmen living in tents with wooden floors. The impression of the first visit to the site by Colonel French for evaluation purposes can be viewed by clicking on “Unit History” in the Directory above.

During 1953 construction of support facilities was undertaken and the airmen began moving into prefab H-frame buildings heated with small oil burners. The staffing level was brought up to about 450 personnel in the 37th Radio Squadron Mobile (RSM). The 7535th Air Base Squadron was formed to provide base support services with additional personnel. The 37th RSM was re-designated the 6952nd RSM in May 1955 and became the 6952nd Radio Group in July 1963 and stood down in 1966.

The tour of duty was three years for single and married personnel accompanied by family. It is estimated that more than 2000 airmen served at RAF Station Kirknewton from 1952 through 1966. Around 1900 names can be viewed by clicking on Alumni and Fallen Eagles List in the Directory above.

Not much exists today of the old RAF Station Kirknewton site. The upper site has been demolished and is high-end expensive homes. The buildings utilized by the USAF at the lower site by the airfield have been demolished except for two early era airplane hangars. The runways still exist and are utilized by the 661st Volunteer Glider Squadron (VGS). The 661st resides in temporary administrative buildings and utilize one of the hangars to house the gliders. The other hangar is utilized by local residents for private airplanes.

A reunion of former USAF members that served at RAF Station Kirknewton was held in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18-23, 2013. The Kirknewton 661st VGS hosted the group for a luncheon and presentation on their glider activities. Fred Crawford (1963-1965) then gave a presentation on the USAF years followed by a collection of old base photo’s. These can be accessed by clicking on the entries in the directory above.

Harry Hathhorn, Webmaster

US Air Force (Oct 1954 - Dec 1958)

US Air Force Security Service (Aug 1955 - Dec 1958)

RAF Station Kirknewton, Scotland (Aug 1955 - Nov 1957)

TUSLOG Det 3-2, Samsun, Turkey (Dec 1957 - Dec 1958)

Click here for my email address

Updated January 13, 2022

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________