, The Army's Apache Attack Helicopter units will co-locate at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk later this year, Defence Minister Adam Ingram announced in Parliament today.
The co-location of all operational Apache Helicopters will increase operational effectiveness, whilst also reducing costs, by improving the more efficient use of aircraft. Co-location will also improve stability for Service Personnel, as fewer families will have to regularly relocate between the two bases.
The new hub will be formed by exchanging two Lynx squadrons from Wattisham (659 Squadron Army Air Corps and 669 Squadron Army Air Corps), with two Apache squadrons from Dishforth in Yorkshire (656 Squadron Army Air Corps and 664 Squadron Army Air Corps). The moves are expected to take place between June and September 2007.
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Mr Ingram said:
“Apache Helicopters have proven to have had a very powerful, positive impact on operations in Afghanistan. It is essential that we have the right capabilities and infrastructure to maintain them.
“The interests of the military personnel and their families are very important to us and we will manage the moves in such a way as to minimise any disruption. All affected personnel are being kept fully informed of the move.”
Background Information
1. The squadron swap is not expected to have an impact on civilian jobs, as the existing infrastructure support arrangements will remain at both sites as they are now. As regards to the military personnel, an extensive consultation process is underway and those individuals affected have been warned of the likely move.
2. The MoD is also reviewing its long-term requirements for all of the UK's military helicopter bases under Programme Belvedere. No decisions have yet been made on this.
