RAF Gibraltar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RAF Gibraltar, previously known as North Front, is a Royal Air Force station on Gibraltar. No military aircraft are currently stationed there, but there are regular visits. The station functions as the Rock's civilian airport, Gibraltar Airport, and is administered by British Forces Gibraltar.
The biggest expansion took place during World War II when the runway length was increased using waste rock blasted from the tunnels of Gibraltar. At this time the airfield completely obliterated the former Gibraltar racecourse. The airfield played a major part in Operation Torch, the Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa during World War II.
The airfield, which today is used mainly for civil flights, is unusual in that the main access road from Gibraltar to Spain crosses the airfield, necessitating the road to be closed whenever aircraft movements are in progress.
When the RAF holds an exercise, this causes significant disrruption to traffic flow.
History
Battle of Gibraltar · Treaty of Utrecht · Great Siege of Gibraltar · Gibraltarian real · Death on the Rock · Aurora incident
Politics | Economy
Governor · Chief Minister · House of Assembly · Political parties · Elections (2006 constitutional referendum) · Disputed status | Gibraltarian pound
Military | Infrastructure
British Forces Gibraltar · Royal Gibraltar Regiment · RAF Gibraltar · HMS Gibraltar · Gibraltar Services Police | Communications · Transport · Royal Gibraltar Police
Symbols
Flag of Gibraltar · Coat of arms of Gibraltar · Gibraltar Anthem
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