USAF Ascension Auxiliary Airfield

Due to the Space Race and the Cold War, the Americans have had a presence at Wideawake airfield since 1956. In the the 1960s the runway with its strange hump was extended, widened and improved to allow it to be used by larger aircraft. In more recent times the runway which measures 10,020 feet was designated as an emergency runway for the former US Space Shuttle program.
The current USAF Fire Department at Wideawake airfield is managed by American fire officers with locally recruited fire-fighters from either Ascension Island or St Helena. These locally recruited fire-fighters are sent to South Carolina in the USA for their initial training and the fire department provides 24 hour cover - seven days a week. In addition to providing fire-cover to the airfield the United States Air Force Fire Department also respond to all calls at their accommodation and support base at Cat Hill a few miles northwest of the airfield; and under a joint working arrangement with both the Ascension Island Government Fire & Sea Rescue Service and the Royal Air Force they will also provide fire-cover throughout the island when there is no scheduled flying at the airfield.

* These images are exclusive to this great site.

# Thank you to John McGee for the additional fire-engine data.