ASCENSION ISLAND, BRITISH TERRITORY: JUNE 1943:
(Photos from Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives)
RAF Ascension Island (IATA: ASI, ICAO: FHAW), also known as Wideawake Airfield or Ascension Island Auxiliary Field
In 1939 Ascension became important as a high-frequency direction finding radio station covering trade routes. Wideawake Airfield (named after a noisy colony of sooty terns nearby) was built by the US military in 1942 by arrangement with the British government. The airfield was built using a US task force. The first aircraft to land on Ascension Island was a Fairey Swordfish from HMS Archer in June, 1942 and it went on to be used by more than 25,000 aircraft as a staging point during the war.
A U.S. Space Force tracking station was officially activated as a satellite of Patrick Space Force Base in Florida on 25 June 1956.
The airfield's runway was extended in the Autumn of 1980. It was re-garrisoned by the RAF in 1982 and used extensively as a staging airfield during the Falklands War. A series of long-range bombing raids was carried out from there under the name Operation Black Buck.
Ascension: The island where nothing makes sense
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36076411
Ascension: The island where there is next to nothing.
A packed transport bringing servicemen into Ascension Island.
Unloading.
US Military servicemen depart a plane at the US Army and Air Force base on Ascension Island a British Overseas Territory. A Joint US Air Force base and Royal Air Force base.
US Military servicemen depart a plane at the US Army and Air Force base on Ascension Island a British Overseas Territory. A Joint US Air Force base and Royal Air Force base.
(L) Colonel John C Millinex of the US Air Force and Colonel J.N. Tomlinson a British Governor stand over the bases on Ascension Island a British Overseas Territory. A joint US Air Force base and Royal Air Force base.
An officer overlooks papers on the US Air Force base on Ascension Island a British Overseas Territory.
A view of the airport and planes at the US Air Force base on Ascension Island.
Pranged P-39.
A view as servicemen out front of their tent.
A view of servicemen taking a break at a snack shack.
A view of military dummy antiaircraft batteries at the US Air Force base on Ascension Island a British Overseas Territory.
A view of the US Army Air Force base on Ascension Island.
A view of military drum barrels at the US Air Force base.
A view of a tractor clearing the soil.
Runway
Lucky to be leaving.
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