{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force station in County Antrim, Northern Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{Infobox military installation | name = RAF Mullaghmore<br>USAAF Station AAF-240 | ensign = 90px 60px | ensign_size = | native_name = | partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site --> | location = Ballymoney, County Antrim | nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox --> | country = Northern Ireland | image = | alt = | caption = | image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields --> | alt2 = | caption2 = | type = Satellite Station | coordinates = {{coord|55|01|33|N|006|35|49|W|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = Northern Ireland#UK | pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Northern Ireland | pushpin_label = RAF Mullaghmore | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mark = | ownership = Air Ministry | operator = Royal Air Force<br>Royal Navy<br>United States Army Air Forces | controlledby = RAF Coastal Command<BR>Fleet Air Arm | open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc --> | site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox --> | site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc --> | site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc --> | code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US --> | built = {{Start date|1942}} | used = 1942-{{End date|1946}} | builder = | materials = | height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level --> | length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs --> | fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter--> | condition = | battles = European theatre of World War II | events = | past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) --> | garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group --> | occupants = <!-- squadrons only --> | designations = | website = | footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox that doesn't work in new code --> <!-- begin airfield information --> | IATA = | ICAO = | FAA = | TC = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = | elevation = {{Convert|7|m|0}} | r1-number = 00/00 | r1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} --> | r1-surface = Concrete | r2-number = 00/00 | r2-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} --> | r2-surface = Concrete | h1-number = | h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} --> | h1-surface = | airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox --> | airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities --> <!-- end airfield information --> }} '''Royal Air Force Mullaghmore''' or more simply '''RAF Mullaghmore''' is a former Royal Air Force station located {{Convert|4.2|mi}} southwest of Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and {{Convert|4.9|mi}} northeast of Garvagh, County Londonderry.

==History==

It was a United States Army Air Forces 8th Air Force Composite Command base until being passed to the Royal Air Force in May 1944 for use as a training establishment.<ref name="CT">{{cite web|url=http://controltowers.co.uk/M/Mullaghmore.htm |title=RAF Mullaghmore |publisher=Control Towers|accessdate=17 October 2013}}</ref>

Between December 1943 and February 1944 the airfield was used the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)'s 6th Replacement and Training Squadron (Bombardment) and the 6th Combat Crew Replacement Centre before the unit moved to RAF Cheddington. The airfield was then used for storage until May 1944.<ref name="CT"/>

The following units were based there: * No. 4 Refresher Flying Unit RAF<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/mullaghmore |title=Mullaghmore |publisher=Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust|accessdate=17 October 2013}}</ref> which moved from RAF Haverfordwest and stayed between October 1945 and March 1945<ref name="CT"/> * No. 7 (Coastal) OTU<ref name="ABCT"/> flying Vickers Wellingtons between December 1942 and January 1944 * No. 104 (Transport) OTU<ref name="ABCT"/> arrived from RAF Maghaberry flying Vickers Wellingtons between October 1943 and January 1944<ref name="CT"/> * No. 281 Squadron RAF<ref name="ABCT"/> * 815 Naval Air Squadron<ref name="ABCT"/> * 825 Naval Air Squadron<ref name="ABCT"/> * 842 Naval Air Squadron<ref name="ABCT"/> * 850 Naval Air Squadron<ref name="ABCT"/> * 1771 Naval Air Squadron<ref name="ABCT"/> * Loran Training Unit RAF (October 1944 – April 1945){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=202}}

The airfield was closed and placed on care and maintenance during May 1945.<ref name="CT"/>

==Current use==

The airfield, now in private hands, is used as a microlight base known locally as Aghadowey Aerodrome.<ref name="ABCT"/> Other uses include a racing circuit built on one of the old runways and a short-oval track hosting Stock car and Banger racing on selected weekends.

==See also== *List of former Royal Air Force stations

==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== *{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=R|last2=Hamlin|first2=J|last3=Halley|first3=J|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units |year=1997 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=0-85130-252-1}}

==External links== *[http://www.controltowers.co.uk/M/Mullaghmore.htm Page at controltowers.co.uk] *[http://ww2ni.webs.com/countylderryairfields.htm Airfields in County Londonderry]

{{Royal Air Force}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullaghmore}} Category:Royal Air Force stations in Northern Ireland Category:Buildings and structures in County Antrim Category:Military history of County Antrim Mull Mull Category:Military airbases established in 1942 Category:Military airbases closed in 1946