At Langford Lodge on the flight test strip, 41-29459 after refurbishment by the 325th ASG
A-20s being salvaged at Burtonwood Air Depot, August 1945,
The 5th Airdrome Squadron was initially based at the Combat Crew Replacement Center located at AAF 236, Toome. The training of replcement aircrew on the A-20 Havoc and B-26 Marauder took place at this station. When the Lockheed Overseas Corporation vacated Langford Lodge In May 1944, the 5th Airdrome Squadron, commanded by Moir L. Shockley, recieved orders that they were to vacate Toome, and relocate to AAF station 597, Langford Lodge. Moving on 3 May 1944, the squadron was given an Orderly Room and eight barracks at Gortnagallon, site 4. A small detachment of men and vehicles stayed behind at AAF 236. Gradually the squadron replaced LOC personnel and took over their duties, assigned to salvage aircraft, the 5th Airdrome Squadron were in charge of all perimeter service and first and second echelon maintenance. This included handling of refuelling units, dispersal of aircraft, and taxiing and towing of all aircraft on the base. In August 1944, the squadron was maintaining approximately 500 aircraft daily, doing the job with only fifty men. The squadron had its own Softball team, winning the Northern Ireland championship. Around the first of November, the squadron recieved orders to leave the comforts of Langford Lodge, to take over the new Storage Station at AAF 237, Greencastle, located at Kilkeel. A large detatchment of men remained at Langford Lodge, known as detachment "A", this detachment set up their own organization and orderly room located on the airfield at site 2, this detachment was commanded by Lt. R.F. Kenney. At AAF 237, under the command of Major Shockley, the squadron was assigned to essentially run the base, with the aid of several small detachments. Setting up a Motor Pool, Mess, Communications, Signal, and Quartermaster. In January 1945, detachment "A" left Langford Lodge and arrived at AAF Station 237, bringing the squadron upto almost full strength. The 5th Airdrome Squadron were assigned to store a large amount of aircraft in January 1945, maintaining over 350 aircraft in various storage stages with less than 250 men. In March 1945, a deadline was set for clearing the Station of all aircraft, this placed a tremendous strain on the squadron and working hours were increased. In the Engineering section, with one Officer and ninety-five enlisted men, a commendable amount of work was performed on the various types of aircraft on the station: an average 281 aircraft were worked on each day, de-inhibiting 151 aircraft and delivering 127 aircraft, throughout the month. In May 1945, the squadron continued work in clearing all aircraft from the station. The deadline for clearing all aircraft was set at 15 May 1945. Working from 07:00hrs to 21:30hrs six nights a week,by the 15th four aircraft were left on the station due to poor flying conditions and VE-Day celebrations. On the morning of 21 May 1945, the 5th Airdrome Squadron departed Northern Ireland, destined for AAF Station 169, Stansted, England.