Royal Air Force News Friday, July 15, 2022 P15
News
Reds’ home among first to go in Defence sell-off Simon Mander HISTORIC RAF bases at Scampton and Lintonon-Ouse could be sold for redevelopment by next year under a Forces-wide programme to reform the UK’s defence estate. The MoD says its 25-year plan of long-term investment will deliver savings and provide a more functional structure of sites to support 21st-century military capability. Redundant sites could be converted to housing or business use to boost local economies. RAF bases at Parkway in Bristol, the former fast jet training station Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, and the WWII Dambusters and Red Arrows home at Scampton in Lincolnshire could be the first to be sold off, by 2023. They will be followed by Coleme Airfield, Henlow by 2026, Barnham near Thetford and Halton by 2027, with RAF personnel leaving HMS Sultan by 2029. Introduced in late 2016 following the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the strategy aims to release public sector land for new homes, create centres of military expertise by co-locating units and provide new and refurbished accommodation for service
ESTATE REFORMS: The Red Arrows station Scampton is among the first military sites to be sold under a 25-year MoD programme. Pictured left, Linton-on-Ouse was scheduled for closure following the retirement of the Tucano fast jet trainer
personnel and their families. Major projects include new officer and recruit training facilities and a new home for the Red Arrows.
UK Defence will also invest in more than 25,000 new and refurbished houses and single-living accommodation, contemporary
office space for over 12,000 people, and 63 specialist military workshops and garages as well as medical, dental and sports buildings. Currently new
facilities are under construction at eight defence sites, with contracts placed for further development across the UK.
Reservists high on the hog THE RAF’S Chinook display aces were caught red-handed as they delivered one of their signature moves in front of thousands of aviation fans at the Wales Air Show. The event was a home-run for crewman Sgt Scotty Morris
(pictured left) who grew up near Swansea. He said: “Having grown up in Blackwood, it is fantastic to bring the Chinook display to Wales. It is the first time I have had the chance to fly in front of my family. It is a privilege to fly for my son, Quinn.”
SQN LDR Andy Marshall handed over command of 501 Sqn by presenting the Brize-based unit’s wild boar mascot to successor Sqn Ldr Steve Jackson. The former regular, (pictured right) who is stepping down after eight years in the post said: “Taking on the challenge of creating this squadron from nothing and taking
it to where it is today has been hard work, but enjoyable at the same time, and I leave it in good hands.” Formed in 1927, the squadron became a fighter unit in 1936. More recently the squadron’s drivers and suppliers have deployed to the middle-east and to Eastern Europe supporting Nato air policing missions.