RAF Alconbury

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom
Installation Type: Royal Air Force Station (U.S. Operated)
Status: Active

Overview

RAF Alconbury is a Royal Air Force station located near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, England, approximately 90 kilometers north of London and 25 kilometers northwest of Cambridge. The station is used by the U.S. Air Force under the terms of the U.S.-UK Defense Cooperation Agreement. Alconbury primarily serves as a headquarters and support installation, hosting the 423rd Air Base Group which provides administrative support to U.S. Air Force personnel across multiple RAF stations in the area including RAF Molesworth (ISR mission) and other satellite locations. Alconbury does not host a flying mission but provides community support services.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide installation support services, community support, and administrative functions for U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth, and associated installations in the Cambridgeshire/Northamptonshire area.
Major Units: 423rd Air Base Group (host unit, installation support); 423rd Medical Squadron; 423rd Security Forces Squadron; 423rd Force Support Squadron
Tenant Units: U.S. Air Force elements from RAF Molesworth (intelligence mission); NATO/SHAPE liaison elements; various intelligence community and USAFE-AFAFRICA support organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Huntingdon (population approximately 25,000) immediately adjacent; Cambridge – approximately 25 km southeast; Peterborough – approximately 20 km north; London – approximately 90 km south
Nearest Commercial Airport: London Stansted Airport (STN) – approximately 65 km south; London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – approximately 110 km south; East Midlands Airport (EMA) – approximately 80 km northwest
Gate Access: Main gate on B1090; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) access protocols apply; UK security protocols in effect

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 1,500
Family Members: Approximately 2,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 4,500

Key Facilities

Medical: 423rd Medical Squadron clinic; primary care, dental, and behavioral health; specialty referrals to NHS hospitals in Cambridge (Addenbrooke’s Hospital, a world-class research hospital), Peterborough, or Hinchingbrooke; UK NHS available for some SOFA-related care; excellent medical access in Cambridge area
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; important for American food products in England
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities; smaller exchange given installation size
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center; recreation facilities; sports fields; English countryside offers walking, cycling, and equestrian activities; Cambridge, London, and historic England accessible; pub culture is a social institution
Schools: DoDEA Alconbury Elementary School; Alconbury Middle/High School – DoDEA schools on or near base; DoDEA serves all military children; English school culture easily accessible for families interested in local integration
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; register early; UK childcare options (registered childminders, nurseries) also available
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility may have limited services; local UK veterinarians highly available and of excellent quality; UK has very high veterinary standards
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 423rd ABG; appointment-based; SOFA and UK law matters through JAG

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is valued for community and familiarity
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; off-post economy housing in English communities is common
Off-Post Housing: Huntingdon, St. Ives, St. Neots, Ramsey, Godmanchester, and surrounding Cambridgeshire villages offer economy housing; OHA applies; English homes are typically older, smaller, and differently laid out than American homes; central heating via gas boiler; smaller kitchens and bathrooms; charm and character are definitive features; rental market in Cambridgeshire is moderately expensive
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Alconbury OHA reflects Cambridgeshire rental costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 423rd ABG sponsorship program; UK assignment is generally considered very desirable and relatively easy for Americans to adapt to given common language
In-Processing: 423rd ABG in-processing; typically 2-3 days; UK driving license conversion; vehicle registration; ration card
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening for UK; Cambridge/London area provides outstanding specialist access including Addenbrooke’s Hospital (world-class) and London’s major hospitals

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Oceanic/temperate; mild summers (average high 70F/21C in July); cool, damp winters (average low 34F/1C in January); frequent clouds and rain; rarely extreme hot or cold; fog common; Cambridgeshire is one of England’s flatter and drier regions; English weather is notoriously changeable
Cost of Living: Moderate to high; Cambridgeshire and the UK have risen in cost; Cambridge city is expensive due to university; smaller towns around Alconbury more affordable; OHA adjustments help; pound-dollar exchange rate affects purchasing power
Nearby Attractions: Cambridge University (25 km) – world-famous university city with punting on the Cam, college chapels, museums; Ely Cathedral (25 km); Peterborough Cathedral (20 km); Stamford (40 km) – one of England’s prettiest stone towns; Imperial War Museum Duxford (30 km) – one of the world’s best aviation museums; London (90 km by train, approximately 1 hour from Huntingdon on East Midlands Railway); Sandringham Royal Estate (80 km); Norfolk Coast (90 km); Edinburgh, York, Bath, Stonehenge all accessible on weekends; Ireland, France, Netherlands by ferry or budget airline; Europe by EasyJet/Ryanair from Stansted (30 minutes)
Spouse Employment: UK employment authorization available for SOFA dependents; Cambridge area offers employment in research institutions (Cambridge University, NHS, Wellcome Sanger Institute), technology (Silicon Fen tech corridor), and services; on-base employment through NAF, AAFES, commissary, DoDEA; NHS offers opportunities for medically qualified spouses; A&FRC assists

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: U.S.-UK Visiting Forces Act (1952) and related agreements govern U.S. personnel in the United Kingdom; covers legal jurisdiction, customs, vehicle registration, and operational matters; UK has a strong bilateral defense relationship with the U.S.
Host Nation Rules: UK laws apply off-base; left-hand traffic (opposite of U.S.) requires significant adjustment; UK speed limits in mph; alcohol laws (pub hours, drinking age 18); Health and Safety at Work Act; UK laws on firearms are very strict (no personal weapons off-base); public behavior standards enforced; UK generally very familiar with and welcoming of U.S. military
Curfew: No formal SOFA curfew in the UK; unit-level liberty policies may apply for junior enlisted; UK pubs have set operating hours
Ration Card / Customs: USAFE ration card for tax-free purchases; limits on duty-free goods when traveling in the EU (UK no longer in EU); UK customs rules apply; VAT refund available for some purchases when departing
Vehicle Registration: SOFA vehicles can use U.S. state registration for limited time; UK requires conversion to UK plates or SOFA registration for extended stays; left-hand traffic driving test required (UK driver’s license process or SOFA driving permit); UK MOT inspection required for older vehicles; narrow country roads require adjustment
Language and Culture: English (British English) is the language; some vocabulary and spelling differences from American English (boot/trunk, bonnet/hood, biscuit/cookie, etc.); British culture values understatement, queuing, pub culture, and dry humor; generally very welcoming of Americans; class consciousness subtle but present; regional accents vary widely
Currency and Banking: British Pound Sterling (GBP); on-base banking available; UK bank account recommended for local transactions; ATMs (called cashpoints) widely available; contactless payment widely accepted; exchange rate between USD and GBP fluctuates
Travel Restrictions: Freedom of movement within the UK; Ireland (Common Travel Area) accessible without passport check; mainland Europe requires passport (UK not in Schengen since Brexit); budget airlines from Stansted make European travel very accessible; unit travel policies apply
Mail: APO AE address assigned; APO mail for personal shipments; Royal Mail available for UK postal services; many U.S. online retailers ship to APO AE
Pets: UK has strict pet import rules; EU pet passport no longer valid for direct entry to UK post-Brexit; Animals must have ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, and UK-specific pet health certificate from official vet; tapeworm treatment for dogs required 24-120 hours before UK arrival; cats and dogs only for simplified process; other animals may require permits or quarantine; non-compliance results in quarantine at owner’s expense; UK has strict rules against bringing certain species; process with USDA-accredited vet and USDA endorsement well in advance

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.alconbury.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/raf-alconbury; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Alconbury