Pronunciation: [ɹˈaf kˈɛnlɪ] (IPA) 
Raf Kenley is spelled /ræf ˈkɛnli/. "Raf" is short for "Royal Air Force", while "Kenley" is the name of a suburb in the London Borough of Croydon. The first syllable in "Kenley" is pronounced with the "eh" sound /ɛ/, as in "let", and the second syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound /iː/. The "f" in "Raf" is pronounced as the voiced labiodental fricative /v/. Overall, the word is pronounced as "raf KEN-lee".
Raf Kenley refers to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Station Kenley, a former military airbase located in Kenley, Surrey, England. RAF Kenley played a significant role during World War II as one of the most important fighter airfields for the RAF in the defense of London and the southern part of England against German Luftwaffe attacks.
The airbase was established in 1917 and operated primarily as a fighter station. RAF Kenley housed various fighter squadrons equipped with different aircraft during its operational years. These squadrons flew legendary fighter planes like the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane, engaging in aerial combat to protect the airspace over the United Kingdom.
The strategic location of RAF Kenley made it a key base during the critical Battle of Britain in 1940. The station played a vital role in defending London and neighboring areas against relentless German air raids. RAF Kenley's squadrons actively patrolled and engaged enemy aircraft, contributing to the ultimate victory of the RAF and the defense of Britain from German invasion.
In the post-war period, RAF Kenley gradually reduced its operational capacity and was finally closed as an RAF station in 1959. Today, the former airbase serves as the Kenley Aerodrome, accommodating recreational flying, aviation activities, and preserves historical elements of its wartime past. The historical significance and contributions of RAF Kenley have earned it recognition as a listed battlefield site.
The term "Raf Kenley" has a simple etymology. "RAF" stands for "Royal Air Force", which is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. "Kenley" refers to a place name, specifically Kenley, a small town located in Surrey, England. RAF Kenley was a Royal Air Force station that operated during World War II. The name "Raf Kenley" is a combination of the abbreviation "RAF" and the specific location where the air station was situated, Kenley.
