Top secret RAF base dubbed 'UK's Area 51' which is home to one of 'world's largest surveillance oper

July 06, 2024

Most people would expect intelligence operations to operate in total secrecy, with agents entering discreet locations surreptitiously, like how is pictured in every spy film.

Yet situated across 605 acres of Yorkshire countryside is a secret RAF base, complete with over 30 giant spheres, each beyond 30 ft tall.

But despite its loud exterior, no one (besides the people involved) truly knows what happens there. And since it was built in the 1950s, it has become one of Harrogate's most conspicuous secrets.

The base, called RAF Menwith Hill, is known for its giant randomes white weatherproof globe structures nicknamed 'the golf balls' because of their dimpled appearance. They were designed to shield and protect radar equipment.

RAF Menwith Hill takes up 605 acres of Yorkshire countryside is a secret RAF base and is complete with over 30 giant spheres, each beyond 30ft tall

Despite its loud exterior, no one truly knows what happens there and since it was set up in 1950 has become one of Harrogate's best-kept secrets

Not much is known about its daily operations, but hundreds of staff work there and it is said to be an 'integral part' of allied communications

Little is known about its daily operations, but old planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council claimed the site was set up to act as a 'communication intercept and intelligence support service' for both the UK and US.

It has been described as the largest electric monitoring station in the world and is one of the United States' largest overseas surveillance bases according to the Yorkshire Post.

Although the site is owned by the Ministry of Defence, the land is made available to the US Department of Defence under the Nato Status of Forces Agreement 1951.

His Majesty's Government (HMG) is entitled to possession of the site and retains control over its use and its facilities, though administration is controlled by US authorities with the support of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

Menwith Hill first began in 1954 when the British War Office bought 246 acres of land at Nessfield Farm and construction kicked off in 1956.

The base's operations and location have frequently attracted controversy, with protesters objecting to the nature of its work and the presence of international military personnel.

The site is owned by the Ministry of Defence but run by the US Department of Defence, His Majesty's Government is also allowed access to the site

It was bought by the British War Office, who purchased 246 acres of land, and construction began two years later in 1956

Local people first raised their concerns about the site in 1951 and in the 1980s a small group of protestors called the Otley Peace Action Group tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness of the base.

Since then, The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB), which was established in the 1990s, worked to bring public scrutiny, awareness and accountability of the site.

In recent years, The Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign (MHAC) was set up to further protest the site.

Their website states: 'MHAC recognises a significant risk to the Yorkshire and wider UK population from the United States surveillance activity at Menwith Hill because it makes a significant military target.'

Although many suggest that the site was set up as a spy hub during the Cold War, the question remains - what is it used for today?

Due to its clandestine operations, many protests groups have emerged over the years, the most recent of which is the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign (MHAC)

The group believe the site's location puts Yorkshire and the rest of the UK at risk of being a military target

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