the end of the First World War, Major Thomas Elmhirst, the commanding officer of the station, celebrated the armistice by successfully piloting an SSZ airship under the Menai Suspension Bridge. The act did not harm Elmhirst's career, and he later became Air Marshal Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst, a senior commander of the RAF. In 1920 the site was bought by Anglesey County Council. The aircraft shed was demolished and some of the buildings were used as an isolation hospital. Second World War In 1941 the site was requisitioned for use as an airfield, and the hospital was transferred to Llangefni. In 1942 three tee hangars and seventeen blister hangars were constructed, and concrete runways were laid in 1943. At this time the base was controlled by RAF Flying Training Command. The RAF base was initially named RAF Heneglwys (a nearby hamlet) but was soon renamed RAF Mona (Latin for Anglesey). The base was intended to be used by No. 6 Air Gunnery School (AGS), but this unit was not established and RAF Mona was instead used by 3 AGS, which transferred from RAF Castle Kennedy in south-west Scotland in December 1942. 3 AGS was initially equipped with 48 Blackburn Botha torpedo bombers, 6 Fairey Battle light bombers and 8 Miles Martinet target tug aircraft. These were subsequently replaced by Avro Anson multi-role aircraft. in October 1943, 3 AGS returned to RAF Castle Kennedy. In spring 1943 RAF Mona was used by No. 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit to train Turkish officers, using Miles Master aircraft. From November 1943 until June 1945, No. 8 Observers Advanced Flying Unit were based at RAF Mona, equipped with Avro Ansons. At the end of the Second World War, 1,378 officers and men of the RAF and 408 officers and women of the WAAF were based at RAF Mona. The airfield was placed on care and maintenance at the end of the war. After 1945 RAF Mona reopened in 1951 as a relief landing ground for RAF Valley, then used by No. 202 Advanced Flying School operating de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. RAF Mona still has this role. Today, Mona is used for circuit practice by BAE Hawks from RAF Valley along with a civilian flying club and 2474 (Cefni) Squadron Air Training Corps. RAF units The following units were based at RAF Mona: No. 3 Air Gunners School RAF No. 4 Flying Training School