Royal Air Force Reykjavik or more simply RAF Reykjavik is a former Royal Air Force station, at ReykjavÃÂk Airport, Iceland. It was constructed during the allied occupation of Iceland during the Second World War, by the British Armed Forces.
After the invasion of Iceland, the construction of an airport was pertinent for military operations. The Vatnsmýri site was requisitioned and built up as an airport and base by the British Army.
Construction began in October 1940, initially operating with a grass surface. The Black Watch regiment along with a contingent of local Icelandic labourers built the first runway over sunken oil barrels. Part of the Skerjafjörður neighbourhood had to be demolished for the construction of the 13/31 runway.
The British Army and the Royal Air Force used the airport from March 1941 and throughout the remainder of the Second World War.
Multiple aircraft hangars and Nissen huts were constructed by the British Army, many of which continue to be used into the 21st century.
During the war, domestic and international civilian air traffic was very restricted. The airport was handed over to Icelandic authorities and became a civilian facility as ReykjavÃÂk Airport in 1946.
After the cessation of hostilities of the Second World War the British Government handed the airfield over to the Icelandic Civil Aviation Authority on 6 July 1946. It is now known as Reykjavik Airport.