Known as USAAF Station 483, RAF Barkston Heath's first Troop Carrier unit was the 61st Troop Carrier Group of four squadrons (14th, 15th, 53rd and 59th), which arrived on February 18th 1944, under command of Col. Willis W. Mitchell. The 61st TCG had previously operated in North Africa and Sicily.

 The 61st TCG carried 1167 men of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment to DZ-T on the morning of the 6th of June 1944, following up with a re-supply mission on the morning of the 7th.

 The Group also dropped British 1st Airborne Division paratroopers at Arnhem during Operation Market-Garden.  It was replaced in March 1945 by the 349th TCG, with the 61st moving to a new base in France.

Overview of a windswept RAF Barkston Heath. Most of the wartime accommodation and technical sites have been demolished, but the Air Traffic Control Tower and the T2 Hangers remain as evidence of the WWII past of this still-active base.

Side view of the AT Control Tower and one of the T2 Hangers.

Rear view of the Air Traffic Control Tower with post-war observation room.

A T2 hanger in excellent condition.