Who owns RAF Menwith Hill?
RAF Menwith Hill is owned by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Who is in Control?
As an RAF station, Menwith Hill is commanded by an RAF Squadron Leader. The senior US Officer is a Colonel in the United States Air Force.
What does the RAF Commander do?
The RAF Commander is the senior Ministry of Defence representative at RAF Menwith Hill. He has full access to all areas of the base and is familiar with all aspects of the mission.
How long has Menwith Hill been here?
Construction began in 1956 and the base became operational in 1960.
Who works here?
There are approximately 2100 personnel working on the base of which around 1/3 are British. The UK staff are drawn from HM Armed Forces, MoD civilians, Ministry of Defence Police and GCHQ. Some of these people hold senior leadership positions both in support and operational areas. Around one third of the US employees are active duty military personnel representing all four services (Army, Air Force and Marine Corps); the rest are US civilians.
What do we do?
RAF Menwith Hill is part of a world-wide defence communications network and provides intelligence support to the UK, US and NATO.
Is it Legal?
We do not engage in any illegal activity and we are fully compliant with all UK, US and EU legislation.
Why the need for secrecy?
If we discussed our mission and capabilities in public, a potential enemy may be able to devise countermeasures which could impact on our effectiveness and cost lives. However, secrecy is not a cover for illegal activities. The mission at RAF Menwith Hill is carried out in accordance with UK law and with the full knowledge and consent of the UK Government.
Who provides oversight?
Oversight of Menwith Hill activities is provided by Government Ministers and the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), which drawns its members from all major political parties in Parliament. Ministers are fully briefed on activitiesat RAF Menwith Hill as a matter of course.
What is in the golf balls?
The domes serve as protection for communication equipment which is not completely weather resistant but which must be installed outside of buildings. The domes are covered with material, the colour of which has, for environmental purposes, been designed to blend with the natural skyline.
RAF Menwith Hill and the Community
Good community relations are a priority at the base. Many of our families live in local towns and villages and participate fully in community life. American children attend British Schools and their parents support local church and residents associations as well as volunteering with community and charity groups. Our American personnel have great respect and affection for the area in which they live, contributing to their communities on a daily basis as good neighbours and friends.
Each year RAF Menwith Hill holds an 'American Challenge' sports day for over 60 local children and adults with disabilities.
Both the US and UK personnel at RAF Menwith Hill participate in a variety of fundraising and charitable events. Over the years we have raised substantial amounts of money for local charities.
Groups on 'Menwith Hillers' have taken part in the Knaresborough Bed race for the last ten years.
The Menwith Hill Women's Club donates over £10,000 to local charities every year and our US Navy contingent have supported the Harrogate Meals on Wheels programme for many years, using their own transport to deliver food within the whole of the Harrogate District.
Did you know?
Over 70% of Menwith Hill families live in the local community
The base contributes approximately £99 million to the local economy every year
Over 30% of the Menwith Hill workforce are British
Our Ministry of Defence Police are partners in the Farm Watch programme, a rural version of Neighbourhood watch.
There are over 100 families living on the base which has its own shops, chapel, school and post office - a small village in its own right.
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