Joining is simple and doesnt need to cost a lot: You can become a sustaining member for as little as $3 or $5 a month. Hidden away for years, Britons have until now never had the thrill of seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the intelligence world. [17][18] and to demands in 2007 from Labour MPs for a full debate about missile defence and Menwith Hill. Menwith Hill is eight miles west of Harrogate on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales, known for its distinctive large white golf ball domes housing radar equipment. It was equipped with large high frequency (HF) directional rhombic antennas that could detect signals from around the globe. 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. [1] It has been described as the largest electronic monitoring station in the world. [11][12] The NSA expanded the station during the 1970s and 1980s, with the operations centre extended and new buildings erected. [21] Notwithstanding, the US Army retained a presence and in place of the 109th Military Intelligence Group, INSCOM formed a provisional battalion designated as the Menwith Hill Battalion (Provisional). VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. Surveillance tools such as the GHOSTHUNTER system were developed to directly aid military operations, pinpointing the locations of targeted people or groups so that they could then be captured or killed. Therefore, on 1 August 1966, with the agreement of the British Government, control of Menwith Hill Station was handed from the US Army to the NSA when it became a field element of the agency. The 421st Air Base Group provides the majority of support services but the base is commanded by an officer of the RAF. In 1954, the British War Office purchased 246 acres (100 hectares) of land at Nessfield Farm, located approximately 7 kilometres (4.3mi) west of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. In March 2012 researcher Dr. Steve Schofield produced a 65-page report called "Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill",[5] funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and commissioned and published by the Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disaarmament (CND). The site is a field station of the US National Security Agency (NSA), with personnel from other parts of the DOD also present. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Prince Charles alongside Sqn Ldr Geoff Dickson (left) and director general of technology at GCHQ Gav Smith. A number of other individual protests have also taken place, predominantly related to nuclear proliferation and strategic missile defense. There are only 10 RAF personnel at Menwith Hill but there are around 1,000 US military and civilian personnel. The site contains an extensive satellite ground station and is a communications intercept and missile warning site[1] and has been described as the largest electronic monitoring station in the world.[2]. Retrieved 18 April 2020. Although designated as an RAF station, It is made available to the United States Department of Defense (DOD) under the 1951 NATO Status of Forces Agreement and other classified arrangements. The domes, which protect radar antennas from the elements, are often known as the "golf balls". What housing allowances am I eligible for? "[7], During the 2009 G-20 London Summit NSA intercept specialists based at Menwith Hill attempted to target and decode the encrypted telephone calls of the Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Thats the basis of our Parliament, its the basis of our whole democratic system. If you are a military member or family looking for housing by Hill AFB, located in Hill AFB , UT, you've come to the right place! Harrogate Borough Council found more radomes "would not materially affect the wider landscapeas the overall impact would remain akin to the present situation". There is always a good selection of rental homes in local towns and villages. 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. The Menwith Hill . Security improvements are needed at a major communications and intelligence base in North Yorkshire. 5 - 9. The MHO can assist you by: It was later re-designated as the 451st Intelligence Squadron on 1 October 1993. Planning application documents say it does not meet the security standards required by the US and UK armed forces. In 1992, the detachment became A Company of the 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 704th MI Brigade. In 2007, for instance, analysts at Menwith Hill used GHOSTHUNTER to help track down a suspected al Qaeda facilitator in Lebanon who was described as highly actionable, meaning he had been deemed a legitimate target to kill or capture. How can we say that Menwith can carry out operations of which there is absolutely no accountability to the public? 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. Though the Snowden documents analyzed by The Intercept state that Menwith Hill has aided a significant number of capture-kill operations, they do not reveal specific details about all of the incidents that resulted in fatalities. Members should use HEAT when preparing to transfer to their new assignment. [37], On 5 July 2000, the European Union set up the European Parliament's Temporary Committee on the ECHELON Interception System stated that the global system for the interception of private and commercial communications was operating by means of "cooperation proportionate to their capabilities" among the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand under the UKUSA. 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 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). The terminal was swiftly located, and within an hour an MQ-9 Reaper drone was dispatched to the area, presumably to launch an airstrike. The programs with names such as GHOSTHUNTER and GHOSTWOLF have provided support for conventional British and American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 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? Such links are provided consistent with the purpose of the Web site. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? However, if the site was compromised during an invasion, three earth-covered bunkers contained ammunition and thermite charges which could be used to destroy classified equipment and material. During the renovations, the NSA shipped in new computer systems and laid 182 miles of cables, enough to stretch from New York City to the outskirts of Boston. Where can I find an application for housing? [28], RAF Menwith Hill is owned by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD). UK personnel from the MOD and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) are integrated into both the operational and administrative elements of the site. RAF Menwith Hill is commanded by a Royal Air Force Officer, supported by an RAF element, whilst the majority of support services are provided by the United States Air Force, 421st Air Base Group. [13], In 3 November 1999 the BBC reported that they had confirmation from the Australian Government of the existence of a powerful "global spying network" codenamed Echelon, that can eavesdrop on every single phone call, fax or e-mail, anywhere on the planet" with Britain and the United States as the chief protagonists. The plan for three shelters - called radomes - at the RAF base in North Yorkshire was lodged by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The NSA National Security Agency decided to take over the base. Featured Links According to top-secret documents obtained by The Intercept from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, Menwith Hill has two main spying capabilities. Though small in size, the Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) exchange has a fair selection of goods, ranging from clothing to audio visual equipment. The Housing Office will pass you a list of local letting agents. Your sponsor should also be able to drive you to realtor appointments until you have your own vehicle. Find Raf menwith hill stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. RAF Menwith Hill is commanded by a Royal Air Force Officer, supported by an RAF element, whilst the majority of support services were provided by the United States Air Force, 421st Air Base Group until 2014. Below is a list of installations that are supported by the Automated Housing Referral Network. The Australian site is known as the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap. [35], In 1988, investigative journalist Duncan Campbell revealed, in an article entitled "Somebody's listening" and published in New Statesman, the existence of the ECHELON surveillance program, an extension of the UKUSA Agreement on global signals intelligence Sigint. There are only 10 RAF personnel at Menwith Hill but there are around 1,000 US military and civilian personnel. But on the horizon, massive white golf ball-like domes protrude from the earth, protected behind a perimeter fence that is topped with piercing razor wire. Spy base plans for extra radar antenna shelters, Watch the moment train travels across miniature version of Knaresborough Viaduct, York and Chester council officers to meet to discuss Blue Badge access, Plans to reopen Victorian quarry in Yorkshire mired by concerns over lorries, Malton crew called to fire in garden in early hours, Yorkshire coast route from Robin Hoods Bay to Whitby named one of the best coastal walks in the UK by experts, Vehicle fire on major road through North Yorkshire - road reopens, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Prince Charles visits RAF Menwith Hill. NSA employees at Menwith Hill have collaborated on a project to help eliminate terrorism targets in Yemen, for example, where the U.S. has waged a controversial drone bombing campaign that has resulted in dozens of civilian deaths. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes.