[43], Objections to the Strategic Defense Initiative have led to demonstrators storming the perimeter fence,[44][45] and to demands in 2007 from Labour MPs for a full debate about missile defence and Menwith Hill. Investigations found that during the early 1960s, Menwith Hill was integrated into the General Post Office's microwave relay network known as 'Backbone', via a high-capacity underground cable link to the Hunters Stones communications tower, located approximately 3 miles (4.8km) to the south of the station. The Menwith Hill . [53] Protesters said they hoped the camp would "reignite the debate locally, nationally and globally about whether the subversive and undemocratic nature of activities at the base are acceptable, or indeed accountable, to the British public. [9], Menwith Hill came to public attention in 1980 when British magazine the New Statesman published an article which suggested that the station was the world's largest phone tapping facility and highlighted the secrecy afforded to it by the British and US governments. PDF WELCOME ABOARD! - Headquarters Marine Corps The site acts as a ground station for a number of satellites operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office, on behalf of the US National Security Agency, with antennae contained in a large number of highly distinctive white radomes, and is alleged to be an element of the ECHELON system. [8] The UK provided assurances to the US that the site would be available to them for at least 21 years. In 1992, the detachment became A Company of the 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 704th MI Brigade. Situated right at the hub of Britain's world-beating telecommunications system, Menwith Hill is one of the secret treasures of American heritage. In a single 12-hour period in May 2011, for instance, its surveillance systems logged more than 335 million metadata records, which reveal information such as the sender and recipient of an email, or the phone numbers someone called and at what time. RAF Menwith Hill is a Royal Air Force station near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England which provides communications and intelligence support services to the United Kingdom and the United States of America. [19], During a 1997 court case, British Telecom revealed that in 1975, its predecessor, the Post Office, installed two cables between Menwith Hill and a coaxial cable that connected to the microwave radio station at Hunters Stones, which was part of the long-distance telephone network. It is entirely run by the British Royal Air Force, but most of the services are provided by the Americans the US Air Force. Below is a list of installations that are supported by the Automated Housing Referral Network. UK personnel from the MOD and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) are integrated into both the operational and administrative elements of the site. You may want to consider leaving very large pieces of furniture behind; e.g. Plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council would see major changes to the entrance, The listening base plays a role in US and UK intelligence gathering. Civilian Personnel: Directory - Royal Air Force Mildenhall Realtor Services Since then, the base has been used extensively to tap into communications in otherwise hard-to-reach areas where Islamic extremist groups such as al Qaeda and al Shabaab have been known to operate for example, in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, Somalia, and Yemen. Building costs at the time were $6.8million as well as a further $1.2million for personnel housing. Menwith Hill has many of the services offered on larger military bases. As a matter of fact, RAF Menwith Hill was among the first sites in the world to benefit from the advanced IBM computers. And millions of phone calls are still beamed between satellites today, alongside troves of internet data, which the NSA has readily exploited at Menwith Hill. The cheapest way to get from Queensway Underground Station to RAF Menwith Hill costs only 70, and the quickest way takes just 3 hours. "[14], Between 1984 and 1995 a number of peace camps were established in close proximity to the station. Menwith Hill Menwith Hill. The application, approved by Harrogate Borough Council, would take the number of domes at the base to 37. Find military housing by Hill AFB, apartments and homes for rent, and houses for sale with AHRN.com. A Gate at Menwith Hill Station prohibiting entrance on March 12, 2014. [8] Over two-hundred Collins R-390A HF communications receivers were used to collect a vast range of signal in the HF band, including carrier waves, voice signals, and burst transmissions. Who would hold party elites accountable to the values they proclaim to have? But the prediction proved to be wrong. Make This My Store This is My Store See Stores Near You. The three new radomes would be 21 metres (69ft) in diameter and located in the southern part of the site. To keep information about Menwith Hills surveillance role secret, the U.S. and U.K. governments have actively misled the public for years through a cover story portraying the base as a facility used to provide rapid radio relay and conduct communications research. A classified U.S. document, dated from 2005, cautioned spy agency employees against revealing the truth. Furnishings Management Drive from Leeds Station to RAF Menwith Hill 21.4 miles. [12], In 1996 author and investigative journalist, Nicky Hager in his book entitled Secret Power, New Zealands role in the international spy network, provided a detailed account of ECHELON, the world-wide electronic surveillance system used by an intelligence alliance of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In early 2010, the agency revealed in an internal report that it had launched a new technique at the British base to identify many targets at almost 40 different geolocated internet cafs in Yemens Shabwah province and in the countrys capital, Sanaa. [46] Actions continue into 2006. Before purchasing your insurance, please consult the MHO for more information about coverage. They confirmed that Menwith Hill was "linked directly to the headquarters of the US National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade in Maryland. The first service on site included a high frequency monitoring system, dealing with intercepting the signals throughout the Soviet Union. Transfer to the National Security Agency (1966 1996), US Army Intelligence and Security Command, Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, Temporary Committee on the ECHELON Interception System, United States Air Force in the United Kingdom, "Unknown territory: America's secret archipelago of UK bases", "Technology led to decision to cut Menwith Hill personnel", "Interception Of Communications - Hansard", "Menwith Hill Station (Hansard, 12 July 1995)", "RAF Menwith Hill (Hansard, 13 May 1996)", "BT condemned for listing cables to US sigint station", "Spanning the GlobeMisawa to Menwith Hill: Part 1", "Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill: The Strategic Roles & Economic Impact of the US Spy Base in Yorkshire", "Menwith Hill eavesdropping base undergoes massive expansion", "GCHQ intercepted foreign politicians' communications at G20 summit", "Spy base 'golf ball' radar shelters approved", "Report on Planning Application 19/02389/FUL", "Spy base plans for extra radar antenna shelters", "RAF Menwith Hill:Written question - 112002", "The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Sites) Order 2005", "Report on the existence of a global system for the interception of private and commercial communications (ECHELON interception system)", "Menwith Hill - The Campaign of Opposition", "From Greenham to Menwith: The women's peace campaign at Menwith Hill", "Menwith Hill protests continue for second day", "Why has the US base at Menwith Hill created such a political storm? Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Closed U.S. and U.K. holidays, Family Days and Goal Days. And normally when we have war, parliament should normally inform people that were involved in those. [7] The site was considered by the US as suitable for gathering signals intelligence from the northern parts of Western Europe and Eastern Europe, specifically the Soviet Union and its associated Warsaw Pact countries. ", http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/why-has-the-us-base-at-menwith-hill-created-such-a-political-storm-13464383.html, "Keighley grandmothers arrested over spy base protest", http://www.daelnet.co.uk/countrynews/country_news_06042006_5.cfm, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/who-are-you-calling-antisocial-491039.html, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4552441.stm, http://www.counterpunch.org/dickinson05192005.html, http://www.harrogateadvertiser.net/harrogatenews/Peace-protest-at-Menwith-Hill.4894981.jp, "Veteran peace protester sent to jail despite prisons crisis", http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/veteran-peace-protester-sent-to-jail-despite-prisons-crisis-434106.html, "Protest camp looks to raise awareness of Menwith Hill", http://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/2012/04/18/protest-camp-looks-to-raise-awarenss-of-menwith-hill/, http://www.occupymenwith.org.uk/index.php/why/, Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill: The Strategic Roles & Economic Impact of the US Spy Base in Yorkshire, by Dr Steve Schofield published by Yorkshire CND, March 2012, United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Pages using infobox military installation with unknown parameters, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Military facilities of the United States in the United Kingdom, Buildings and structures in North Yorkshire, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (AFISR), Bird, Kenneth L., Menwith Hill Station-A Case Study in Signal Intelligence Gathering During the Cold War-. The American Air Force unit hosted on site is the 421-st Air Base Group. In 1966 the National Security Agency (NSA) took on responsibility for the U.S. operation of the site, expanding the capabilities to monitor international leased line communications transiting through Britain. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, United States Air Force in the United Kingdom, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6916262.stm, "Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill: The Strategic Roles & Economic Impact of the US Spy Base in Yorkshire", http://www.natowatch.org/sites/default/files/liftingthelid.pdf, "Menwith Hill eavesdropping base undergoes massive expansion", http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/01/menwith-hill-eavesdropping-base-expansion, "Occupy 'spy base': UK activists cry espionage over US surveillance center", http://rt.com/news/protesters-occupy-menwith-base-429/, "GCHQ intercepted foreign politicians' communications at G20 summit", http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jun/16/gchq-intercepted-communications-g20-summits, http://www.duncancampbell.org/menu/journalism/newstatesman/newstatesman-1988/They%27ve%20got%20it%20taped.pdf.+Retrieved, "Report on the existence of a global system for the interception of private and commercial communications (ECHELON interception system)", http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+REPORT+A5-2001-0264+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN, http://www.cyber-rights.org/interception/stoa/interception_capabilities_2000.htm.+Retrieved, http://www.nickyhager.info/secret-power-new-zealands-role-in-the-international-spy-network/, "Menwith Hill - The Campaign of Opposition", "From Greenham to Menwith: The women's peace campaign at Menwith Hill", http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/2003/09/from_greenham_to_menwith_the_womens_peace_campaign_at_menwith_hill, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1422426.stm, "Menwith Hill protests continue for second day", http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/jul/04/3, "Why has the US base at Menwith Hill created such a political storm? [21][22][23][24][25][26], In April 2012 activists affiliated with the global Occupy Movement held a four-day campsite at Menwith Hill. Civilian Personnel - RAF Mildenhall It was equipped with large high frequency (HF) directional rhombic antennas that could detect signals from around the globe. 2023 BBC. Instead of using it for a local base, the land was given to the American through a leasing contract. The Housing Office will pass you a list of local letting agents. RAF Menwith Hill - Wikipedia The NSAs documents describe GHOSTHUNTER as a means to locate targets when they log onto the internet. It was first developed in 2006 as the only capability of its kind and it enabled a significant number of capture-kill operations against alleged terrorists. Store Email: RAFMenwithHill.commissary@deca.mil. Hatton Cross Underground Station to RAF Menwith Hill - Rome2rio The World's Most Secret Places: RAF Menwith Hill, England This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army. To find your next home, click on the installation you want to search for housing in and register as a user. The British War Office has decided to purchase a little under 550 acres. Between 2009 and 2012, Menwith Hill spent more than $40 million ona massive new 95,000-square-foot operations building nearly twice the size of an average American football field. The American idea was to increase its military power during the Cold War. The listening base plays a role in US and UK intelligence-gathering. Travel within United Kingdom is: Unrestricted . The Committee raised concerns about the incompatibility of the interception of private and commercial communications with the fundamental right to respect for private life (Article 8 of the ECHR). Mon. But Menwith Hill is focused on a different kind of surveillance: eavesdropping on communications as they are being transmitted through the air. The overhauled main entrance would include a new visitor centre, registration office and gatehouse, as well as new security barriers, roads and car parks, the Local Democracy Reporting Service says. Housing Services California king size bed. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? [10], In the 1960s, as a result of developments in digital technology and the increased use of satellites for signals intelligence, the specialist skills of engineers and technicians within the National Security Agency (NSA) and their contractors became increasingly important. There is always a good selection of rental homes in local towns and villages. It is located in the central part of the kingdom, in North Yorkshire. DSN: 262-7759/7758. [7], Operationally, Menwith Hill was assigned to the USASA Headquarters in Frankfurt, West Germany, whereas for logistical support it was attached to the US Air Force's Third Air Force, which at the time had its headquarters in the UK. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. [32], Site security is provided by the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP). Queensway Underground Station to RAF Menwith Hill - Rome2rio The site was then one of the earliest to receive sophisticated early IBM computers, with which NSA automated the labour-intensive watch-list scrutiny of intercepted but unenciphered telex messages. The application comes after the councilapproved construction of a single additional radome in November 2018, due to be built in August 2021. According to top-secret documents obtained by The Intercept from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, Menwith Hill has two main spying capabilities. Security improvements are needed at a major communications and intelligence base in North Yorkshire. The outcome of the operation, however, is unclear, as it is not revealed in the document. Is climate change killing Australian wine? This connection was replaced in 1992 by a new high capacity fibre-optic cable. I dont buy this idea that you say the word security and nobody can know anything. [17], According to an article in a 2003 issue of an internal NSA newsletter, "Menwith is a large site (several hundred NSA civilians)". The base "does not attract the kind of press attention lavished on RAF Menwith Hill to the north and long may that continue," one NSA employee wrote in a March 2005 article for SIDtoday . "In response to the heightened risk of terrorist activity in the wake of 9/11, security regulations for both UK and US military operations have been tightened considerably.". This was the first one. Read about our approach to external linking. A few days later, a special operations unit named Task Force-16 stormed two properties, where they detained Sayf, his father, two brothers, and five associates. The total number of people working there is due to increase from 1,800 last year (of . On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Hamilton, who represents the Labour Party, has doggedly attempted to find out basic information about the base, asking the government at least 40 parliamentary questions since 2010 about its activities. This mission protects our nation and others around the world.. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. In Afghanistan, for instance, analysts at the base used the VSAT surveillance to help track down suspected members of the Taliban, which led to approximately 30 enemy killed during one series of attacks that were mentioned in a top-secret July 2011 report. Consequently, Menwith Hill became a vital asset in the U.S. governments counterterrorism campaign after the 9/11 attacks. In particular, there has been an attempt to establish whether the U.K. has aided U.S. drone bombings outside of declared war zones in countries including Yemen, Pakistan, and Somalia which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and are in some cases considered by United Nations officials to possibly constitute war crimes and violations of international law. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules'. [34], On 1 April 2006, RAF Menwith Hill was designated as a protected site for the purposes of Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. According to documents lodged by the MoD the proposed additions are "required to meet the operational output of the station". Instead of monitoring the Soviet Union only, the system was improved in order to intercept all the signals going throughout the British territories. 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Within the operations centre was the communications centre which was manned by cryptographers using deciphering equipment, however a large amount of the signals collected were encrypted before being forwarded for processing to the US National Security Agency's Fort Meade facility in Maryland. The government housing team will provide you the latest information on the local housing situation as well as local laws governing off-base housing. [20], On 1 October 2000, the 451st Intelligence Squadron, was re-designated as the 451st Information Operations Squadron, before reverting to the 451st Intelligence Squadron on 1 April 2007. His Majesty's Government (HMG) is entitled to possession of the site and retains control over its use and its facilities, though the administration of the base is the responsibility of the US authorities,[1] with support provided by around 400 staff from Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), in addition to United States Air Force (USAF) and US National Security Agency (NSA) personnel. The expansion of the capability to the other bases meant that it now had near-global coverage. But Menwith Hill remained its most important surveillance site. What housing allowances am I eligible for? See All FAQs, An official website of the United States government. The domes, which protect radar antennas from the elements, are often known as the "golf balls". On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. But the British government has publicly asserted as recently as 2014 that operations at the base have always been, and continue to be carried out with its knowledge and consent. Moreover, roughly 600 of the personnel at the facility are from U.K. agencies, including employees of the NSAs British counterpart Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ. [17], On 19 February 1996, the station was renamed RAF Menwith Hill, an administrative change to align the base with other sites made available to the United States by the United Kingdom. [3] In 2014, the number of American personnel was reduced as part of a streamlining of operations due to improvements in technology. At the same time, the base is part of a comprehensive ECHELON system. Where will my children go to school at my new location? There are only 10 RAF personnel at Menwith Hill but there are around 1,000 US military and civilian personnel. Contact the MHO as soon as you know you are moving. Security regulation for US and UK military operations have "tightened considerably," the MoD says. Both units operate in a very tight collaboration to fulfill the mission of the base. Later, two additional cables were added over which telephone and other communications could go to and from the base. What housing allowances am I eligible for? On 18 October 2008 the unit, under the command of a Lieutenant Colonel, was re-designated as the 307th Military Intelligence Battalion, subordinate to the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade headquartered at Wiesbaden, Germany. Prince Charles visits RAF Menwith Hill. Leeds Station to RAF Menwith Hill - Rome2rio And yet these are acts of war. The site is one of three main sites operated by the United States across the globe as a major satellite monitoring station and intelligence gathering location. At the same time, the garrison hosted here is the 451-st Intelligence Squadron. But the site also houses a self-contained community, accessible only to those with security clearance. Once you complete your 3-step registration process, you may begin searching for available housing at .