RAF Fairford has played a significant role in British aviation. Home to the UK's longest runway, it played a vital role to both Concorde and the Red Arrows. Its military significance has also always been high and its squadrons have seen action in World War Two through to the second Iraq war.

Jan 1944 - The RAF station opened as part of Number 38 (Airborne Forces) Group, RAF.

Jun 1944 - As part of D-Day 45 Stirlings with 900 paratroopers from the 6th Airborne departed from RAF Fairford as part of Operation Tonga to secure bridges on the River Orne in France.

Jul 1951 - RAF Fairford was transferred to the USAF.

Jun 1964 - The RAF take control of RAF Fairford as the USAF withdraw.

Mar 1965 - The Red Arrows are officially formed at RAF Fairford.

Dec 1971 - Concorde makes its maiden flight from Filton to Fairford Jun 1979 - RAF Fairford was designated a primary United States Air Force Europe installation.

Aug 1983 - The space shuttle lands at Fairford. RAF Fairford is a designated 'Transoceanic Abort Landing Site'.

Nov 1989 - Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher rejected a request to base nuclear armed bombers in the UK.

Feb 1991 - The first Operation Desert Storm mission set off from RAF Fairford involving four B-52s.

Mar 2003 - Eight B-52s flew out of RAF Fairford for the first wave of strikes on Iraq despite weeks of demonstrations from protestors outside the base.

Dec 2004 - RAF Fairford’s new £11million B-2 capable large aircraft hangar was officially opened.

Sep 2009 - USAF confirms all American personnel will be pulled from the base with a target date of September 2010.