[1][3] The airfield was opened on 11 March 1943; 81 years ago (1943-03-11), and was used by the 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy),[3] 'The Rackheath Aggies', of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF),[1][2] arriving from Wendover AAF at Utah.

In combat, the unit served chiefly as a strategic bombardment organisation, attacking the German navy harbour at Kiel, chemical plants at Bonn, textile factories at Stuttgart, power plants at Hamm, steel works at Osnabrück, the aircraft industry at Brunswick, and other objectives.

In September, over two weeks the bombers flew petrol from Rackheath to a forward base at Clastres in France for use by the US mechanised forces.

The group flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945, and then returned to the US to Sioux Falls AAF in South Dakota during June and July 1945.

Subsequently, the 467th was re-designated as the 467th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), with Boeing B-29 Superfortresses in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan.

The control tower still exists, though after many years of neglect, was renovated during 2006 and 2007;[6] it has been converted to use as an administrative building, currently occupied by a software company.

The other T2 hangar, on the eastern side of the airfield near the Salhouse railway station was dismantled many years ago, and two new small industrial buildings constructed on its former southern dispersal.

Flanked by two flagpoles with United States and United Kingdom flags hoisted, the polished black granite stone, with inscription detailing the operations of the 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 2nd Air Division, Eighth Air Force, USAAF at RAF Rackheath, was dedicated on 29 July 1990 by the Four Hundred And Sixty Seventh Bombardment Group Heavy Association Ltd.[7] Site 6[where?]