British Army Use
The station was closed in December 1992. It was taken over by the British Army and renamed Dalton Barracks, home to 3 & 4 regiments Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) transport; formally Royal Corps of Transport (RCT). RAF Benson continues to use Abingdon as a diversion airfield and for helicopter training. No. 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron also continues to fly Grob Vigilant Motorgliders from Abingdon. The Gliding School allows members of the Air Cadets to take part in flying, such as a basic Gliding Induction Course (which normally lasts 3 flights), then allows cadets over 16 to progress onto a Gliding Scholarship, which over a number of weeks (or a week continuously), allows cadets to learn to fly the aircraft. This culminates in them undertaking in a solo circuit at the controls of the aircraft. Cadets can then take a longer course which includes navigational skills and advanced flight techniques. This leads to a higher class of Scholarship wings.
The two regiments that are based at Abingdon, are spilt down into four squadron each.
- 3 Logistic Support Regiment
- 21 Support Squadron
- 31 Support Squadron
- 32 Support Squadron
- 35 Headquarters Squadron
- 4 Logistic Support Regiment
- 4 Close Support Squadron
- 33 General Support Squadron
- 60 Close Support Squadron
- 75 Headquarters Squadron
Read more about this topic: RAF Abingdon
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