History
RAF Colerne was opened on this site in 1940, and was in operation until 1976. From 1940 to 1955, RAF Fighter Command units were based here. During the Battle of Britain the airfield served as a satellite field to RAF Middle Wallop, and squadrons rotated back and forth from there on a daily basis.Present day
The site is a ground station for the Skynet (satellites)#Skynet 5, Skynet 5 military satellite system that provides battlefield support (e.g. real-time imagery from remote-piloted drones in various theatres of war). It is in close proximity to the underground Corsham Computer Centre. The site is also the location of Azimghur Barracks, home to 21st Signal Regiment (United Kingdom), 21 Signal Regiment. The airfield is used by Royal Air Force Air Cadets, Air Cadets and No. 3 Air Experience Flight RAF, 3 Air Experience Flight, and is the headquarters of Bristol University Air Squadron, a Volunteer Reserves (United Kingdom), Volunteer Reserve unit which recruits from several universities in south-west England.Future
In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), Ministry of Defence announced that the airfield would close in 2018 (later extended to 2025), and Azimghur Barracks in 2031 (later brought forward to 2029).References
{{Reflist History of Wiltshire Airports in South West England