RAF Kasfareet explained

RAF Kasfareet
Ensign:	Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
Ensign Size:	90px
Location:	Ismailia Governorate
Country:	Egypt
Coordinates:	30.25°N 57°W
Pushpin Map:	Egypt
Pushpin Map Caption:	Shown within Egypt
Pushpin Label:	RAF Kasfareet
Ownership:	Air Ministry
Operator:	Royal Air Force
Used:	1941 -
Battles:	Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
Elevation:	149.8m (491.5feet)
R1-Number:	04/22
R1-Length:	841m (2,759feet)
R1-Surface:	Bituminous
R2-Number:	09/27
R2-Length:	1188m (3,898feet)
R2-Surface:	Bituminous
R3-Number:	14/32
R3-Length:	1240m (4,070feet)
R3-Surface:	Bituminous
R4-Number:	18/36
R4-Length:	1871m (6,138feet)
R4-Surface:	Bituminous

RAF Kasfareet (LG-212) which is formerly known as RAF Geneifa is a former Royal Air Force station located in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt.

History

In 1940, the airfield was constructed, and the 107 Maintenance Unit and 21 Personnel Transit Center was based here during the Second World War. 107 MU operated a maintenance, repair, and flight test center at the airfield. RAF Kasfareet would commonly experience sandstorms. ^[1]

Around 1955, the RAF transferred the airfield alongside RAF Shaluffa to the Egyptian Air Force. Runways 04/22, 14/32, and 09/27 was closed shortly afterwards. The former RAF maintenance, repair, and flight test center was not used by the Egyptian Air Force after the transfer.^[2]

Layout

RAF Kasfareet stored 28,800 gallons of AV GAS and 28,800 gallons of jet fuel. Accommodated with the airfield was a control tower, an administrative building, a 36-bed infirmary, and an armory. RAF personnel stationed at the airfield slept in tents, and in billets. The perimeter of the camp was guarded by fences and searchlights. Kasfareet was operated by four bituminous runways, which only one was used after the transfer of ownership. ^{[3] [4]}

Units

Unit Facilities

The following units that were once formed, or based at Kasfareet:^[5]

• 5001 RAF Airfield Construction Squadron
• 5355 RAF Airfield Construction Wing
  • 107 RAF Maintenance Unit 21 Personnel Unit Transit Centre

Units and Aircraft

The following units that were once based at RAF Kasfareet at one point.

• Detachment from No. 14 Squadron RAF between March and June 1943 with the Martin Marauder I and the North American Mustang I
• No. 47 Squadron RAF between 22 December 1941 and 25 January 1942 with the Vickers Wellesley
• No. 127 Squadron RAF reformed here and was active between 26 August and 29 September 1941.
• No. 237 Squadron RAF between 24 August and 21 September 1941 with the Gloster Gladiator II and the Hawker Hurricane I
• No. 417 Squadron RAF between 4 June and 18 July 1942
• Ground echelon from No. 603 Squadron RAF between 4 and 28 June 1942
• Detachment from No. 1908 Flight, No. 651 Squadron RAF between November 1951 and November 1955

Other Aircraft

The following aircraft could be operated from RAF Kasfareet in an emergency:^[3]

• Douglas C-54 Skymaster
• Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
• North American F-100C Super Sabre
• F-100D Super Sabre

See also

• List of North African airfields during World War II

References

Bibliography

• Book: Jefford . C. G. . RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 . 1988 . Airlife Publishing . Shrewsbury, UK . 1-85310-053-6 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: 21 Personnel Transit Centre. Based at Kasfareet (Egypt) from July 1942 to December 1945 . 2024-09-26.
2. Web site: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 1946-47 As Remembered By Montague Taynton . 2024-09-26.
3. Web site: Middle Eastern Airfield Report Volume 2 (1958) Page 149 . 2024-09-26 . apps.dtic.mil.
4. Web site: Netherwood . L. . RAF Kasfareet . CanalZoners.co.uk . 2024-09-28.
5. Web site: Huggins . B. . RAF Kasfareet . CanalZoners.co.uk . 2024-09-28.