USAAF Langford Lodge - AAF Station 597

19/12/2025

November was an interesting month for us, we had two local school visits with the Jeep and some of the collection, firstly for the pupils of P4 in St Joseph's PS and then for the pupils of the P7 class, in Crumlin Integrated PS.

Using our vast array of original Langford Lodge related artifacts and our large photograph collection, we were able to convey to the children, the importance of the air depot during the war, it's link to the local village, the local railway and the equipment used by the civilian technicians of LOC and the USAAF.

The children of both classes seemed to really enjoy themselves, as we turned back the clocks to the war years for an hour or so, next to the jeep, their favourite items were the typewriter and original cameras.

All were very engaging and asked a multitude of questions, a true credit to their parents and teachers 😊.

15/08/2025

13/08/2025

https://youtu.be/vk8d65yuUp4?si=rcT7isUjvC_DneWm

Likely one of a number of popular songs that were played 81 years ago this evening at the Site 6 Theatre, by the Miller Band.

American Patrol (Meacham) by Glenn Miller & his OrchestraAmong Miller’s most famous instrumentals was this Jerry Gray swing arrangement of the 1885 march wri...

13/08/2025

81 years ago to the minute, the base theatre, the Proj-Ma-Hall, at Site no.6, was a hive of excitement, filled to capacity with GI's, at 19:30pm, Captain Glenn Miller and his Army Air Force band took to the stage, having just previously performed a concert in the city of Belfast. The collection honours his late memory with a quick ride in the Jeep this evening, along some of the same roads the band would have travelled on prior to arriving back at Langford Lodge, including a visit to some of the various dispersed living sites that surround the airfield and area.

In the collage of photographs, Captain Miller and the band, can be seen on stage and standing outside the fire escape doors of the Proj-Ma-Hall, presumably after the event.

24/05/2025

Murray Norcross

Welcome aboard Murray, offer still open to assist, if you visit NI to view the areas in which your father in law was stationed during the war, with the 1694th Ordnance and Maintenance Company.

24/05/2025

An enjoyable day, set up at Maghaberry Orange Hall for their VE Day celebrations, with some of the collection.

The building, was once originally part of the airfield Communal Site, Site No.3, building no.130, the former Gymnasium. Some USAAF Maghaberry related items on display today relating to Al Lehndorf, a meteorologist of the 18th Weather Squadron, who worked in the Met section of the Control Tower at USAAF Maghaberry, some 312th Ferrying Squadron items, the 312th were firstly activated at Maghaberry before later moving to Langford Lodge, during May 44, some nice links between the two airfields on display, including some information on the B-26 crash, near the airfield during March 44.

Lots of interest from those who attended, good job by the MP checking passes 😂 keeping the USAAF history alive one event at a time 🇺🇸.

08/05/2025

Happy VE Day 80 everyone, thinking of all those who were based here back then when the news broke, across the tannoy system at Langford, the Star Spangled Banner, performed by Bing Crosby, rung out across the airfield to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. All must have breathed a sigh of relief as they realised they'd finally be going home.

04/05/2025

In addition to the Jeep, I'll be bringing along a small display of equipment which was used by the Photographic Section, whom were allocated the responsibility of documenting on film, all events that took place on the airfield, visiting dignitaries, engineering photographs, dances, accidents and PR related events etc.., not to mention a few other interesting items, pop over for a chat if you are there, 👍.

04/05/2025

We were very kindly invited to a memorial service at Gartree Parish Church, Langford Lodge, on Wednesday 23rd April, of which, the service had a very interesting link to the Air Depots past.

Kitted out as an enlisted GI in the Air Corps, the curator also brought along the collections WWII Jeep and a few interesting artefacts relating to USAAF/LOC activities at the former Air Depot.

An enjoyable afternoon, keeping the history and memories alive of those who served there during the war.

Our thanks goto the Rev. John Farr, for his kind invitation, which we very much appreciated.

Check our YouTube Page for previous events held in conjunction with Gartree Parish Church, during European Heritage Open Day Weekends, I will post a further link to some of the highlight videos.

04/05/2025

Afternoon folks, we will be in the collections WWII Jeep tomorrow "Langford Lou", at Shane's Castle, under the flag of the newly formed MVT NI, pop on over if you fancy a chat about all things relating to USAAF Langford Lodge 👍. Cheers

04/04/2025

The second of the collections collectors Mugs, is available to purchase via the PX page on the collections website, the mugs feature various scenes from the Air Depots History, be the first to get yours now, over at the PX. Link is below. https://www.langfordlodgeairdepot.com/blank-4

31/03/2025

The PX section of the collections website is now live, to aid in raising funds for the current fundraiser, please consider purchasing an item from our online store.

We have just created the first of what will be a number of various collectors Mugs, the mugs feature various scenes from the Air Depots History, be the first to get yours now, over at the PX. Link is below. https://www.langfordlodgeairdepot.com/blank-4