ACQUISITION

Airfield on loaned from Egyptian Air Force.

OPENED

COMMISSIONED

16 September 1940 as 'Grebe'

PAID OFF

31 January 1946 to Care & Maintenance on books of 'Nile'

CLOSED

FUNCTION

Fleet Requirements Unit.

Accommodation for disembarked units.

Night flying training.

Torpedo facilities.

ADDRESS

R.N. Air Station,

Dekheila,

Egypt..

LOCALITY

The airfield, 3 miles SW. of the outskirts of Alexandria, is situated at El Dekheila on a narrow strip of land between lake Maryut and the sea.

The coastal road and railway from Alexandria form the SE. boundary.

LANDMARKS

The town and two harbours of Alexandria.

El Agami I. and adjacent promontory, 11/2 miles W. and Lake Maryut to the S. and S.E.

A railway embankment , running N/S., crosses Lake Maryut 2 miles E. of the airfield.

ROAD AND RAIL ACCESS

Access by road and rail to Alexandria, where there are extensive port facilities.

The distance to El Gabbari station, Alexandria, is 6 miles (R).

CONTROL

Control Building on W. of landing area, inside the perimeter track.

ELEVATION

20' above M.S.L.

RUNWAYS /LANDING AREA

Four, tarmac, all-weather. Off the runways, sand and grass, unserviceable at all times.

04/22 QDM. 036°/216° ....  980 X 75  yds.

07/25 QDM. 070°/250° .... 1050 X 75  yds.

13/31 QDM. 127°/307° .... 1030 X 75  yds.

17/35 QDM. 175°/355° .... 1100 X 80  yds.

Note: Runway 07/25 extends another 150 yds. at its "25" end, in the form of an apron.

TRACKS

A 50' perimeter track connects the western ends of the runways. There is no perimeter track on the E. side, but road intersecting tracks connect the runways with each other.

OBSTRUCTIONS

Navigation:

None.

Circuit:

None.

Approach:

E. Old Control Tower in direct line and Minaret, 104' distant 550 yds. from "25" end of runway 07/25; also large hangar alongside port "25" of runway 07/25. "White Horn" mark, 79' distant 1000 yds. from "31" end of runway 13/31.

 NE. 80' masts 400 yds. from "31" end of runway 13/31.

 SE. Railway embankment, 24', distant 200 yds. from "31" end of runway 13/31.

APPROACH

Recommended sector of approach, means QDM 150°

WIND INDICATOR

Windsock, on N. of landing area.

HOMING-VISUAL

By day:

By night:

None

None

HOMING--RADIO

D/F: Beacon:

None

None

APPROACH-VISUAL

By day:  

None

By night:

Flare-path, Chance light. (Flare-path is of Glim lamps, prior notice necessary if required)

APPROACH-RADIO

None.

COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

W/T and R/T:

VH/F:

1 transmitter, 1 receiver.

1 transmitter, 1 receiver.

GROUND RADAR

None.

ACCOMMODATION

Living quarters  on NW.  corner of the airfield, adjacent W. of workshop area.

Capacity:

 With tents 200 Officers and 1500 ratings.

ARMOURIES

To accommodate four squadrons.

COMPASS BASE

One, diameter 70'

DISPERSAL

12 double and 8 single A/C pens dispersed around the landing area.

A large dispersal apron (480 x 50 yds.), on the W. side of the airfield, connects to the perimeter track and runways.

HANGARS

On the N. side of the airfield.

MEDICAL

Sick Bay on NW. corner of airfield.

R.N. Hospital at Alexandria.

METEOROLOGICAL

Air Ministry provide facilities.

The weather is generally good.

Prevalent winds :  NW. strong S. winds prevail from January to April, and sandstorms are liable to occur at this time, with gales reaching force 8-11.

FUEL AND OIL

TEST BASE

None

TEST BUTT

Two (one temporary type) and 25 yd. range available.

WORKSHOPS

Fairly extensive worship facilities.

Facilities exist for 4 squadrons up to and including major repairs.

BOMBING AND FIRING RANGES

Air-to-Air:

A, B, C, D, lines.

Air-to-Ground:

Live and practice range at Giamaolis.

Information taken from CB 4368 B. Admiralty Handbook of Naval Air Stations Aug. 45