The wartime airfield is on the edge of modern air-to-ground firing range. Three concrete and tarmac runways were built during the summer of 1940, and an assortment of Maycrete and Nissen huts, and brick buildings were added. Many of these survive. An astrodome trainer is also still extant. Two different sized VR hangars, with side openings, were also constructed and are now used for agricultural purposes. The perimeter track is noted as being broken up in places and in other areas is used as a track for motor sports. Part of the airfield has been retained as an observation post. Other notable features include the network of installations defending the airfield to the north.

Event and Historical Information:
In June 1940, Pembrey became the base for the Supermarine Spitfires Mk IIs of 92 Squadron who undertook convoy patrols. The squadron returned to Biggin Hill on 9 September 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain early in 1941, to be replaced by detachments from 256 and 307 Squadrons equipped with Boulton Paul Defiant IIs. For short periods, the Hawker Hurricanes from 79 Squadron and 32 Squadron, the Curtiss Tomahawks from 26 Squadron and Spitfire Is from 118 (Dutch) Squadron were sent for rest periods and to assist with patrol and convoy duties. A Polish squadron, named City of Warsaw, was also formed and given the number 316 in February 1941 to patrol the Bristol Channel. The squadron was moved onto Colerne by the time the airfield had passed to 1 Air Gunnery School (AGS) on 15 June 1941. Bristol Blenheim I and IIs and Westland Lysanders formed the core of the training aircraft initially, but these were replaced by Avro Ansons in the autumn of that year. In addition to training, the airfield was used for various trials of aircraft and equipment. For example, in December 1941, the airfield was used by a Royal Naval Fairey Albacore to test a new type of anti-submarine bomb. The Air Gunnery School ran some 114 courses before being disbanded on 14 June 1945. 3 Aircraft Holding Unit (ACHU) took over the accommodation at the end of war, to be joined by 595 Squadron with Supermarine Spitfires and Miles Martinets. The 595 Squadron was re-numbered to 5 Squadron in February 1949. 5 Squadron was joined by 233 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) between March 1950 and July 1955. The airfield closed for military flying in July 1956.

Sources include:
Defence of Britain Project
Jones, I, 2007, Airfields and Landing Grounds of Wales: West, pg28-39
Phillips, Alan, 2006, Military Airfields Wales, pg155-62
Smith, David J, 1982, Action Stations 3: Military Airfields of Wales and the North West, pg126-8

RCAHMW June 2008.