The ICAO airport code or location indicator is a four-letter code designating aerodromes around the world. These codes, as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization and published quarterly in ICAO Document 7910: Location Indicators , are used by air traffic control and airline operations such as flight planning . ICAO codes are also used to identify other aviation facilities such as weather stations , international flight service stations or area control centers , whether or not they are located at airports. Flight information regions are also identified by a unique ICAO-code.
41-637: RAAF Base Edinburgh ( ICAO : YPED ) is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military airbase located in Edinburgh approximately 28 km (17 mi) north of Adelaide , South Australia , Australia and forms part of the Edinburgh Defence Precinct. Edinburgh is one of two defence 'super bases' in Australia , home to over 3,500 personnel from both the Royal Australian Air Force and
82-622: A base in the UK. However, British authorities were slow to accept this request, and the unit retained its original designation throughout 1943. During 1943, No. 462 Squadron remained in North Africa and conducted raids against Axis targets throughout the Mediterranean area. In the early months of 1943 it primarily attacked harbours and shipping in Sicily . These raids were initially made from Cyrenaica until
123-621: A detachment from Headquarters 1st Brigade. In November 2017, the 1st Armoured Regiment relocated from Robertson Barracks to Chauvel Lines at RAAF Base Edinburgh as part of the Plan Beersheba reorganisation of the Army. D Squadron had earlier relocated in January 2014. The following units are based at RAAF Base Edinburgh: ICAO airport code The recommendations for ICAO airport codes were adopted on 24 March 1959, and came into force on 1 October
164-473: A single Australian airman and no Australian ground crew. The squadron was equipped with Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. II heavy bombers and flew its first operation on the night of 8–9 September 1942 against ground targets at Tobruk . No. 462 Squadron was the only Halifax-equipped squadron in North Africa during 1942 and suffered from shortages of aircrew as a result. This problem became so severe in December that
205-722: A specialist electronic warfare unit. No. 462 Squadron continued in this role until the end of the European war in May 1945 and was disbanded in September that year. The squadron was reformed in its current role during April 2005. No. 462 Squadron was formed on 6 September 1942 at RAF Fayid , Egypt as an RAAF Article XV squadron . However, the original air and ground staff, were transferred from three British Royal Air Force (RAF) units: 10 , 76 and 227 Squadrons. Because of this, almost all of its personnel were non-Australian and it initially had only
246-776: Is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron which forms part of the Information Warfare Directorate in the RAAF's Air Warfare Centre . The squadron was first formed in 1942 as a heavy bomber unit and saw combat in this role in the Mediterranean area until it was disbanded in March 1944. It was reformed in the United Kingdom in August 1944 to participate in the bombing campaign against Germany, and in December that year converted to
287-474: Is a pseudo-code, used in flight plans for aerodromes with no ICAO code assigned. ICAO codes are sometimes updated. Johannesburg Airport in Johannesburg , South Africa, for instance, was formerly known as Jan Smuts International Airport, with code FAJS. When the airport was renamed O. R. Tambo International Airport, its ICAO code was updated to FAOR. Some airports have two ICAO codes, usually when an airport
328-713: Is noteably home to the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Coordination Centre, the RAAF Air Warfare Centre , and the Australian Battlespace Surveillance Centre, making Edinburgh one of the most strategically important defence bases in Australia . The base has over the past decade become home to elements of the 1st Brigade of the Australian Army . The construction of RAAF Base Edinburgh commenced in 1953 and it
369-726: Is shared by civilian and military users. Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt , Germany, for instance, has been assigned ICAO code EDDF while Rhein-Main Air Base was assigned ICAO code EDAF until its closure. Sion Airport in Switzerland has code LSGS while its military facilities have the ICAO code LSMS. Brussels Airport in Brussels , Belgium, has the ICAO code EBBR for its civilian facilities, and Melsbroek Air Base has been assigned ICAO code EBMB, even though
410-502: The Australian Army . The base is home to No 92 Wing and their Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's region of interest. In addition, No. 9 Squadron at Edinburgh remotely pilot the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of surveillance drones, such as the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton , as well as a range of other undisclosed activites. RAAF Edinburgh
451-609: The City of Salisbury . In 1997, the Department of Defence decided to rationalise the then "DSTO Salisbury" site and sell off about 70% of the site, and surrounding "Defence-owned" Crown land , to form the "Edinburgh Parks" industrial estate. The suburb of Salisbury was split in two, with the part containing the RAAF Base and DSTO renamed "Edinburgh" (after the RAAF Base). The new suburb was assigned
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#1732863248554492-599: The Jezero Crater on Mars is assigned the special ICAO code JZRO. Codes beginning with I (Ixx and Ixxx) are often used for navigational aids such as radio beacons, while the Q code is reserved for international radiocommunications and non-geographical special use. In Russia , Latin letter X, or its Morse / Baudot Cyrillic equivalent Ь , are used to designate government, military, and experimental aviation airfields in internal airfield codes similar in structure and purpose to ICAO codes but not used internationally. ZZZZ
533-498: The United States Environmental Protection Agency described PFOA and PFOS as emergent contaminants that are "extremely persistent in the environment and resistant to typical environmental degradation processes" and which consequently pose "potential adverse effects for the environment and human health" due to their toxicity, mobility, and ability to bioaccumulate . The Hardened and Networked Army plan
574-657: The Australian Air Board agreed to a proposal by Air Marshal Richard Williams , the Commanding Officer of the RAAF Overseas Headquarters, to concentrate eight RAAF bomber squadrons into a single group in RAF Bomber Command in the UK; this would have included re-numbering the squadron, in order to formally designate it a RAF unit, and forming a new No. 462 Squadron RAAF (with different personnel) at
615-535: The ICAO code indicate the country; the remaining letters identify the airport. ICAO codes are used partly for geographical context. For example, the ICAO code for Heathrow International Airport in London, is EGLL, with its first letters reflecting that it is based in the United Kingdom . On the other hand, IATA codes do not provide geographic reference. For example, LHR, representing Heathrow, does not enable one to deduce
656-728: The Postcode 5111. On 5 December 2003, stage one of the redevelopment of the base was opened including facilities for the newly formed Aerospace Operational Support Group , and for the Aircraft Research and Development Unit which had relocated from DSTO Salisbury, and for Defence Materiel Organisation units - the Maritime Patrol System Program office and the Aeronautical Life Support Logistics Management Unit. In August 2012, stage two of
697-468: The United Kingdom, but nearby civilian Port Stanley Airport is assigned SFAL, consistent with South America . Saint Pierre and Miquelon is controlled by France, and airports there are assigned LFxx as though they were in Europe. Kosovo is assigned the code BKxx grouping it with Greenland and Iceland rather than its geographical neighbors which have Lxxx (described below). Jerusalem International Airport
738-453: The base held the 'Edinburgh Air Show 2019' over two days the 9th and 10th. In May 2023, it was revealed that the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery would be relocating from their Woodside Barracks to purpose built facilities at Edinburgh once completed, to accomodate the new NASAMS ground-based air defence systems. On 5 September 2024, construction began on a $ 200m 'Deep Maintaince and Modification Facility' at Edinburgh to support
779-691: The efforts of the RAAF to "Australianise" the squadron – it still contained mostly British personnel. RAAF Overseas Headquarters again requested that No. 462 Squadron be officially re-numbered and officially cease to be an RAAF unit; the RAF agreed to this request in December 1943, although it was not put into effect for more than two months. The squadron moved to RAF El Adem , Libya, on 1 January 1944 and continued operations over Greece, mainly attacks on ports and dropping propaganda leaflets. On 1 March 1944, after No. 462 Squadron relocated to Celone Airfield in Italy, it
820-584: The location of the airport LHV with any greater certainty; it is William T. Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania in the United States . There are a few exceptions to the regional structure of the ICAO code that have been historically for political or administrative reasons. RAF Mount Pleasant air base in the Falkland Islands , for instance, is assigned the ICAO code EGYP as though it were in
861-411: The long-term maintaince, sustainment, and modification of the Royal Australian Air Force's P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail fleet. Expected completetion in 2026. In 2016 concerns were raised about perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used in fire fighting foams at the base until 2004, being found in groundwater at the base and in nearby wetlands. A 2014 report from
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#1732863248554902-441: The name of the airport or the city it serves, while ICAO codes are distributed by region and country. Far more aerodromes (in the broad sense) have ICAO codes than IATA codes, which are sometimes assigned to railway stations as well. The selection of ICAO codes is partly delegated to authorities in each country, while IATA codes, which have no geographic structure, must be decided centrally by IATA. The first one or two letters of
943-573: The new facilities were officially opened with the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) a mechanised infantry battalion housed at Horseshoe Lines. 7 RAR had relocated from Robertson Barracks in Darwin earlier in the year in January. The new facilities housed other relocated units including the 102nd (Coral) Battery from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery , 9th Field Squadron from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment , 1st Combat Services Support Team from 1st Combat Service Support Battalion and
984-567: The redevelopment of the base was completed including a new air traffic control tower and facilities for No. 462 Squadron , which had relocated from Canberra, and for No. 87 Squadron . On 19 November 2017, the Defence Minister announced that the base would be upgraded to operate the P-8A Poseidon including new facilities, infrastructure and airfield works with a strengthened and extended runway (by 275 metres (902 ft)). In November 2019,
1025-506: The same year. ICAO codes are separate and different from IATA codes , the latter of which have three letters and are generally used for airline timetables , reservations, and baggage tags. For example, the IATA code for London 's Heathrow Airport is LHR and its ICAO code is EGLL. IATA codes are commonly seen by passengers and the general public on flight-tracking services such as FlightAware . In general IATA codes are usually derived from
1066-406: The south) and Smithfield (to the north). At about the same time, the satellite town of Elizabeth was being established (to the east). Support for WRE testing activities had greatly reduced by the late 1960s. In 1968, No. 11 Squadron relocated to Edinburgh operating Orions . In the late 1970s, No. 10 Squadron also operating Orions relocated to Edinburgh and a maritime patrol wing No. 92 Wing
1107-579: The squadron became non-operational until January 1943. RAAF Overseas Headquarters attempted to have more Australians posted to the squadron during late 1942, without much success. Furthermore, most of the Australian ground staff assigned to the squadron in 1942 had no experience with Halifaxes, which caused aircraft availability to decrease for a period. British personnel were also reportedly unhappy about serving in an "Australian" unit and this contributed to tensions amongst squadron personnel. In January 1943,
1148-578: The squadron had an Australian commanding officer and a higher proportion of its personnel were Australians. Many of its initial personnel were transferred from No. 466 Squadron RAAF , then also at Driffield. No. 462 Squadron flew its first operational mission on 25 August and subsequently took part in attacks against 39 different targets over the next four months in support of Allied ground forces in Western Europe and as part of Bomber Command's campaign against Germany. On 27 December 1944 No. 462 Squadron
1189-837: The squadron had improved. Following the end of the Tunisian Campaign the squadron moved to Hosc Raui in Libya from where it attacked targets in Sicily and southern Italy. On 1 October, the squadron moved again to Terria in Libya and conducted raids against German targets in Greece, Crete, Rhodes and other islands in the Dodecanese. In December 1943 its operations included conducting attacks on Greek ports and bays including Salamis Island , Piraeus , Salonika, and Suda to divert attention away from aircraft laying naval mines nearby. By late 1943 – despite
1230-541: The squadron maintained a high rate of operations at times, its losses were relatively light as the countermeasures carried by the aircraft also protected them from attack. No. 462 Squadron continued to operate until almost the end of the war in Europe, and was the only Australian squadron in Bomber Command to either fly a higher number of sorties in April 1945 than March or operate in May. The squadron flew its final operation of
1271-535: The squadron moved to Gardabia Main in Tunisia on 14 February. From this base it participated in the Tunisian campaign until it concluded in May. More Australian personnel were posted into the squadron in early 1943, but by March only 120 of its 660 personnel were Australian. By August almost all aircraft maintenance was being conducted by Australian ground crew and the relationship between the Australian and British members of
RAAF Base Edinburgh - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-541: The style LFddnn , where dd indicates the department while nn is a sequential counter. The French Federation of Ultralight Motorized Gliders was formally named the keeper of these codes. Aerodrome de Torreilles in France, for instance, has code LF6651. In Antarctica many aerodromes have pseudo ICAO-codes with AT and two digits, while others have proper codes from countries performing air control such as NZ for New Zealand . No. 462 Squadron RAAF No. 462 Squadron
1353-470: The two airports share runways and ground and air control facilities. In small countries like Belgium or the Netherlands, almost all aerodromes have an ICAO code. For larger countries like the UK or Germany this is not feasible, given the limited number of letter codes. Some countries have addressed this issue by introducing a scheme of sub-ICAO aerodrome codes; France, for example, assigns pseudo ICAO codes in
1394-482: The war on the night of 2/3 May. Following the end of the European war, the RAF sought to retain No. 462 Squadron for a period so that it could be used to test radio countermeasure equipment and techniques. As a result, the squadron continued to fly training and ferry flights and also conducted armed patrols over Germany. These duties continued until the squadron was disbanded at Foulsham on 24 September 1945. No. 462 Squadron
1435-578: Was announced in December 2005 to relocate elements of the Australian Army's 1st Brigade to RAAF Base Edinburgh which was later altered by the Enhanced Land Force plan released in August 2006 changing the mechanised infantry battalion to be relocated. An extensive building program was undertaken to provide new working accommodation and joint Army and RAAF training facilities, a combined mess, fitness, health and community facilities. On 9 September 2011,
1476-691: Was assigned both LLJR (its Israeli persona) as well as OJJR (its Jordanian persona), but the airport itself fell into disuse. In the contiguous United States and Canada, many airports have ICAO codes that are simply copies of their three-letter IATA codes, with the geographical prefix added on (e.g., YEG and CYEG both refer to Edmonton International Airport , while IAD and KIAD both refer to Washington Dulles International Airport ). This similarity does not extend to Alaska (PAxx), Hawaii (PHxx), or U.S. territories. Kahului Airport on Maui , for instance, has an IATA code of OGG and an ICAO code of PHOG. ICAO airport codes do not begin with I or J or X or Q, though
1517-559: Was established at Edinburgh making it the primary base for Australia's maritime reconnaissance operations. RAAF Base Edinburgh has since been home to No 1 Recruit Training Unit, the Institute of Aviation Medicine (AVMED) and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). Originally, RAAF Edinburgh and the DSTO were located in Salisbury, (subsequently the suburb of Salisbury – Postcode 5108), in
1558-415: Was officially opened 22 March 1954 as a support base for weapons development at the joint UK-Australian Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) at Woomera and Maralinga . The support base had previously been based at a small Edinburgh Airfield and at RAAF Base Mallala . The base was located alongside the wartime Salisbury Explosives Factory , in open fields between the then country villages of Salisbury (to
1599-632: Was re-designated No. 614 Squadron RAF . The squadron's Australian personnel were gradually posted to other units, although it was not until mid-1944 that Australian ground crew left and the Australian aircrew in the unit had dropped to a proportion similar to that of other squadrons in No. 205 Group RAF . No. 462 Squadron was reformed at RAF Driffield , Yorkshire in Britain on 12 August 1944 as an Australian heavy bomber squadron within RAF Bomber Command , now equipped with Halifax B.Mk.III bombers. In its new incarnation
1640-687: Was reformed in April 2005 as a non-flying squadron within the Information Warfare Directorate of the RAAF's Air Warfare Centre. The squadron's role is to "protect the Air Force's capability through the conduct of information operations". The squadron has a detachment in Canberra but is primarily based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron is supported by an Intelligence Flight, Training and Standards Flight, Operations Support Flight, and Engineering Maintenance Section. No. 462 Squadron attends to
1681-464: Was relocated to RAF Foulsham and became part of No. 100 Group RAF . This group specialised in electronic warfare and No. 462 Squadron's aircraft were modified to radar jamming equipment and other countermeasures. Until the end of the war the squadron used its special equipment and mounted small diversionary attacks to deceive the Germans as to the location of the raids conducted by Bomber Command. While