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Remote mid-Atlantic military airfield serving Ascension Island.
Location
Ascension Island, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
RAF Ascension Island, designated IATA code ASI and ICAO FHAW, is a military airfield located on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is operated by the Royal Air Force and serves as a strategically important staging post for British and allied military operations in the region.
The airfield also supports a small civilian population on the island, including government contractors and personnel associated with the Composite Signals Organisation and other agencies. Civilian access is highly restricted, and scheduled passenger services are extremely limited.
Ascension Island itself is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, administered as part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The airfield played a significant logistical role during the 1982 Falklands War, serving as a vital forward operating base for British forces.
Terminals
There is no conventional civilian passenger terminal; facilities are basic and primarily serve military and government personnel.
Getting to & from
Ground transport on the island is limited to private vehicles and government-provided transport, as the island has no public transit system.
Airlines here
Atlas Air has operated charter flights to Ascension Island on behalf of the UK government; no major commercial airlines operate scheduled services.
Notable facts
- ›Ascension Island airfield served as a critical staging post during the 1982 Falklands War.
- ›The island hosts a joint UK-US military presence, including a US Air Force support contingent.
- ›Civilian access to the island and its airfield is strictly controlled by the UK government.
- ›The airfield runway is capable of handling large military transport and tanker aircraft.
- ›Ascension Island also hosts NASA and ESA tracking and communications facilities.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
