UK Ministry of Defence, The one squadron left at Dishforth in North Yorkshire which flies the Apache helicopter will formally transfer to Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk this week, making it the sole home of the British Army's newest and most potent weapon.
Until now the Apache helicopter has been operated from three sites: Wattisham Airfield, Middle Wallop in Hampshire, where flying training is conducted, and Dishforth in North Yorkshire, which was the first Army airfield to have Apaches.
The Army took the decision to move all operational Apaches to Wattisham as it will be more cost-effective and efficient to have them all at the one site. The move will see the current Lynx helicopter squadrons based at Wattisham moving in the other direction to Dishforth. The move also follows the establishment last year of a new dedicated service centre for the Army's Apaches based there.
And so on Friday 31 August 2007, there will be a flag-raising ceremony as 664 Squadron formally transfers from 9 Regiment Army Air Corps at Dishforth to 4 Regiment Army Air Corps at Wattisham. One other Apache squadron has already transferred from Dishforth meaning this final move completes the relocation.
Colonel Neil Hutton, Station Commander of Wattisham Airfield, said:
“The restructuring means that Wattisham is now the home of the Apache Attack Helicopter within the British Army.
“This co-location of aircraft permits a more central provision of technical expertise, spares and servicing. It will also enable a greater flexibility in the allocation of aircraft to operations and accelerate the transfer of Apache expertise among pilots and ground crew. The move will create a stable and sustainable main operating base for Apache for the long term.”
The Commanding Officer of 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Dalton, said:
“The arrival of 664 Squadron heralds the Regiment's conversion to the Apache Attack Helicopter. A huge amount of work has taken place across the Regiment to ensure the smooth implementation of these moves and they have been conducted with energy, purpose and good humour.
“We are also pleased to be able to maintain and strengthen our bonds with the local community through our continued presence at Wattisham for the foreseeable future. Our focus now switches to training and preparation for future operations.”
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