During World War Two, the Royal Air Force operated from airfields across Northern Ireland providing bases for training, U-Boat patrols, and convoy escorts.
No. 131 OTU
Royal Air Force No. 131 OTU (Operational Training Unit) formed at RAF Killadeas, Co. Fermanagh in July 1942 as part of No. 15 Group Coastal Command.
No. 5 OTU
Royal Air Force No. 5 OTU (Operational Training Unit) flew Bristol Beaufort, Handley-Page Hampden, and Lockheed Hudson bombers from RAF Long Kesh, Co. Down.
No. 7 OTU
Royal Air Force No. 7 OTU (Operational Training Unit) was a Coastal Command outfit flying Vickers Wellington bombers from Limavady, Co. Londonderry.
RAF 290 Squadron
On 1st December 1943, RAF 290 Squadron formed at Newtownards Airfield, Co. Down. In March 1944, their Hawker Hurricane unit moved to Long Kesh, Co. Down.
