RAF Engineering & Airfield Construction Branch Association

Welcome to the RAF Engineering & Airfield Construction Branch Association website. This site acts as a gateway to membership of our growing Association as well as a location for us to build a historical resource for those interested in the history of the Squadrons we support.

When RAF personnel and MOD Civil Servants leave the Service, many don’t naturally have an affinity with a Squadron, and some don’t have a Trade Association that they can get in touch with. With its origins rooted in Airfield Construction and Engineering, we accept membership applications from anyone who served in the RAF, Airfield Construction and civil servants who have supported the RAF.

Our website currently has detail about the 5000-series Squadrons that made up the ACB but as we grow, if other wings, squadrons or trades want to leverage our Association to find their former colleagues then we will welcome them to do so.

Active from 1939 to 1st April 1966, the origins of the Airfield Construction Branch were in France. Initially formed as the Number 1 Air Ministry Works Unit, it evacuated from France to the UK following the fall of France in 1940.

In 1940 it became Number 1 and 2 Works Squadrons and grew to six Squadrons by the end of 1941. In July 1942, these units were given the title RAF Works Service. Expansion continued and in May 1943 the Unit, now consisting of 19 Squadrons, was renamed the Airfield Construction Service (ACS). The ACS grew to the point where it employed 30,000 people and operated all over the world.

Following the end of the Second World War, there was still a lot of construction work needed and at the time of the Berlin Airlift in 1949, the ACS was renamed the Airfield Construction Branch. In 1951, 5355 Wing was established in RAF Kasfaret in Suez with Numbers 1 and 2 Squadron respectively being renamed 5001 and 5002 Airfield Maintenance Squadrons. 5001 Squadron was based at Kasafreet and 5002 Squadron was based at RAF Abu Sueir.

The Airfield Construction Branch was disbanded on 1st April 1966 when its responsibilities were transferred to the Royal Engineers.