section_path: History
section_name: History
paragraph_text: History
  
  The air base's history goes back to World War II. The U.S. Army Air Forces' 46th Ferrying Squadron, Air Transport Command, was activated at the base on 2 December 1942. The squadron was assigned to the 13th Ferrying Group which was responsible for a region spanning El Geneine, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, now in West Darfur, to Karachi, British India (now Pakistan), and from Cairo, Egypt, to Tehran, Iran. The squadron was responsible for the aerial transportation of personnel, supplies and mail throughout this area.
  
  The death of Oliver Rixham, a RAF officer in 1942, serving at the base, led to research which identifies some additional information on activity.
  
  Several articles (March-June 2015) by RAF service members during WW2 can be found; one account refers to the capture of two civilian Italian transport aircraft when war with Italy began - as they shared the airfield.
  
  Two sources give different details about the stay of No. 114 Maintenance Unit RAF at Wadi Seidna. National Archives say that No. 114 Maintenance Unit was formed at Wadi Seidna in April 1942 but then disbanded in February 1943.
  
  There are indications that the field was used at times during the war and afterwards for 'Tropical Trials' of RAF aircraft.
  
  On 7 May 1944, No 115 (Transport) Wing RAF was established at the station by redesignating No 2 (Middle East) Ferry Control within No. 216 Group RAF.
  
  By 1946, the field was no longer in use.