Former RNAS Arbroath

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RNAS Arbroath was first established in 1938 as a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) facility, also known as HMS Condor, two miles north west of Arbroath, east Angus. Since 1971, it has been known as RM Condor, a Royal Marine base, and home of 45 Commando regiment, accommodating some 900 military and civilian personnel.

A document published in 2009, by Defence Estates which manages estates on behalf of the MoD, show that the site covers 201 hectares and is freehold.

The Condor Barracks date from about 1940, with HMS Condor being used as No 2 Observers School, a Deck Landing Training School, and a Naval Air Signals School during World War II. The airfield remains operational, being used as a drop zone for parachute training, and as home to No 662 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS), which operates Viking T.1Xs at weekends and holidays. Formerly established as Gliding Schools (GS), these facilities were re-designated as Volunteer Gliding Schools (VGS) in 1978. Following a decision by the Royal Air Force Board in 2005, the VGS were placed into the Elementary Flying Training Unit register, and were renamed Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, so retaining their VGS acronym.

The runways, tower, and hangars remain, and were upgraded in the early 2000s when RM Condor was reported to possess the Royal Navy's most energy efficient building. The airfield is described as appearing as it did when the FAA left, with the original runway configuration and Dummy Landing Deck still visible. The most noticeable additions to the site are the dry ski slope, an armoury building, and a water tower. Traffic at the airfield is normally rotary wing, and can come from any of the three services, however fixed wing traffic can be handled since the centre of the runway was resurfaced during the upgrade work. A Shorts Skyvan operates from the airfield, and serves as a parachuting platform. The airfield is also used purely as a drop zone, for Hercules C-130 aircraft operating out of RAF Leuchars, with no aircraft landings ever being made.

Speculation that the Condor Barracks would be transferred to the Army as a replacement for Fort George, and become a permanent base for a battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland circulated in 2004. This suggestion never passed the planning stage, and confirmation that the Royal Marines would remain based at the Condor Barracks was issued in 2005.
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