and Salford University Air Squadron (then named Manchester University Air Squadron) (MUAS) (now MASUAS) moved in from Manchester's Barton Aerodrome in March 1953. 10 Air Experience Flight was formed at RAF Woodvale on 25 August 1958 and 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron moved in from RAF Sealand in March 2006. The current station commander is Wing Commander D Hooton. A BAe Hawk T1A, number XX247, was installed as the site's gate guardian in November 2017, replacing an earlier Jet Provost. Based units Flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Woodvale. Royal Air Force No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support) RAF No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force No. 22 Group (Training) RAF No. 2 Flying Training School No. 631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron – Grob Viking TX1 No. 6 Flying Training School No. 10 Air Experience Flight – Grob Tutor T1 Liverpool University Air Squadron – Grob Tutor T1 Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron – Grob Tutor T1 Air Training Corps Merseyside Wing Headquarters Merseyside Wing 611 (Woodvale) Squadron (Air Training Corps) Civilian Woodvale Aircraft Owners Limited - WAOL. Woodvale Rally In 1971, RAF Woodvale hosted the first annual Woodvale International Rally. The event is a charitable event, that originally began as a model aircraft show. It has grown over the years to include car clubs with both classic cars, vintage cars and other vehicle displays. It usually occupies the first weekend in August. The 2012 rally had to be re-located and rescheduled to nearby Victoria Park, Southport, Merseyside, on safety grounds. Asbestos was discovered from old World War II structures that had been buried long ago. Merseyside Police Air Support Group Basing the Merseyside Air Support Group at RAF Woodvale made the station something of a target for criminals. Just before 2230 on Friday 9 October 2009 a window of the helicopter was smashed and petrol poured inside causing the helicopter to be grounded. On 17 May 2010 the Merseyside Police helicopter was again attacked and grounded, after four masked intruders broke into the airbase at around 04:00 causing what was described as minor damage. As part of the reorganisation of Police Air Support in England and Wales and the formation of the National Police Air Service, Merseyside operationally retired its dedicated Police helicopter G-XMII in July 2011. Cover would then be provided with four aircraft from Cheshire, Lancashire, North Wales and Greater Manchester, the nearest to