RAF Buchan

Opened in 1952, the RAF base at Buchan is an Air Defence Radar Unit. Located 1½ miles (2.5 km) southwest of Boddam, RAF Buchan was responsible for coordinating all aspects of air defence in the northern section of the UK's Air Policing Area during the Cold War and once had responsibility for two subsidiary installations at Saxa Vord and Benbecula. It was home to a Control and Reporting Centre, one of two in the UK, until 2005 when the status of the base was downgraded. It was also home to an RAF Learning Centre and included accommodation for air force personal and their families, alongside messes, a chapel, nursery, gymnasium and social clubs.

The radar installation at Hillhead of Coldwells remains active but is now remotely-controlled from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, while the domestic site at Boddam has closed. The former Officers' Mess has been reused as the Buchan Braes Coastal Hotel and other parts of the domestic site are now home to the Army Cadet Force of the 2nd Battalion, The Highlanders, Royal Regiment of Scotland.

A statue in Boddam was unveiled by Boddam Community Association in 2009 to commemorate the links between the local people and the base.


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