Today, on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Cornwall Airport Newquay stands in remembrance and gratitude for the generations who served during one of history’s greatest trials. Before it was Cornwall’s gateway to the skies, this site was RAF St Mawgan – a pivotal base in the Second World War and beyond.
RAF St Mawgan – A Wartime Role of Vital Importance
RAF St Mawgan officially opened as a Coastal Command station in 1941, though a simple grass airstrip had existed at nearby Trebelzue beforehand. During the Second World War, the base played a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic, protecting Allied shipping from German U-boat attacks. It was home to long-range patrol squadrons flying aircraft such as the Consolidated Liberator and Avro Lancaster, repurposed for maritime operations.
In the later years of the war, the base also hosted US Army Air Forces (USAAF) personnel, working jointly with RAF crews on strategic Atlantic patrols. Its location made it a key node in the transatlantic air corridor and a bulwark in the protection of the UK’s western maritime approaches.
By the time VE Day was declared on 8 May 1945, RAF St Mawgan had made a sustained, crucial contribution to Britain’s survival and eventual victory in Europe – through vigilance, protection and sacrifice.
From Cold War to Civil Use
Post-war, the base was extensively rebuilt during the 1950s, becoming one of the largest RAF stations in the UK. During the Cold War, it served NATO operations and housed nuclear-capable USAF Strategic Air Command detachments. Its runway – one of the longest in the country – saw decades of military traffic.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the military role of RAF St Mawgan was gradually reduced. Part of the site was later developed for civilian operations, ultimately becoming Cornwall Airport Newquay. Today, while the airport serves the future of air travel and aerospace, it remains a steward of a rich and resilient legacy.
Commemorating VE Day at the Fire Station
To mark this year’s milestone, our Rescue & Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) hosted a two-minute silence at the fire station at midday today. Colleagues from across the airport were invited to join this moving act of remembrance. Their leadership reflects the same values that defined RAF St Mawgan during wartime: courage, commitment, and unity.
We are proud of our history – and prouder still to honour it with respect and gratitude. From the Atlantic patrols of 1945 to today’s flights from Newquay, this is a place that remembers.
#VEDay80 #RAFStMawgan #TeamNQY #LestWeForget #AirportHeritage
