RAF Lyneham
- Update
24th February 2009
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
The Air Force Board has directed that all RAF air transport
and air-to-air refuelling assets be consolidated in one location
at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The purpose of this consolidation
is to increase the effectiveness of our military operations,
to secure the long-term future of our core RAF sites and to
create a single centre of excellence for operations of this
nature.
RAF Lyneham's aircraft assets and resources will be relocated
to RAF Brize Norton during 2011, at which point Lyneham
will begin its drawdown. This initiative is known as 'Future
Brize', a relatively new project title which has superseded
the original title of 'Project CATARA' (the Centralisation
of Air Transport and Air to air Refuelling and associated
Assets).
There has been considerable speculation regarding Future
Brize, both within the military community and in the wider
public arena, but several parts of the project remain very
much in transition and will not be finalised for a little
time yet. However, contrary to the speculation of some,
this centralisation of Air Command assets will happen,
and attentions at RAF Lyneham are no longer centred on
what will need to be done if the closure takes place, but
instead are focused on how we can now work effectively
to best manage the relocation and closure while supporting
those who work here, their dependants and families.
To this end, the planning process is well underway and
involves a dedicated team of officers from both Stations
and Air Command. It should be emphasised that decisions
and timelines for this project are not yet fixed and will
be subject to change depending on the infrastructure, logistical
and operational requirements at the time. At present, a
plan of action is being developed between the two sites,
which will incorporate a series of milestones involving
the ongoing development of RAF Brize Norton with the concomitant
drawdown of services at RAF Lyneham.
While many of the internal practical and logistical elements
of the move have been agreed in broad terms, much is still
unknown or has yet to be finalised. Nonetheless, please
be assured that RAF Lyneham is well aware of the concerns
of Councillors and local people who have concerns about
the impact that the closure will have on the local area.
Therefore, as information becomes available it will be
disseminated as quickly as possible.
Project BELVEDERE is a wide-ranging programme that is
controlled by the Joint Helicopter Command at Wilton. HQ
Land Command is considering a number of sites for development
as a Joint Helicopter Command Base, including RAF Lyneham.
At present, no decision has been reached on the outcome
of the programme report, although we are hoping to have
direction by Spring. Nonetheless, in the event that Lyneham
is chosen as the preferred site, significant financial
investment would be necessary which could result in at
least an 18-month gap between RAF Lyneham closing and Joint
Helicopter Command taking over.
The RAF Lyneham Community Support Team will continue to
work closely with interested parties to ensure that information
is disseminated in a timely fashion as it becomes available.
In turn, we perceive that this will permit informed community
planning for Wiltshire Council and other service providers.
Food for thought - Factors to consider:
Cost
Brize Norton infrastructure ready on time
All the eggs in one basket - security and operational capability
Loss of over £75M per annum to local economy
A400M Project - still go ahead?
Brize Norton geographical access poor
Belvedere Funding
Change of Operational and security requirements
Aircraft availability - shortfall anticipated at current
timeline scenarios |
