Wattisham Flying Station, formerly Wattisham Airfield, is a British Army airfield and barracks located near the village of WattishaminSuffolk, England. It is home to the Army Air Corps' Apache attack helicopter force. A helicopter repair facility provided by 7 Aviation Support Battalion, REME and 132 Aviation Supply Squadron, RLC is also based at the airfield.
| Wattisham Flying Station
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| Wattisham, Suffolk in England | |||||||
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  Wattisham Location in Suffolk | |||||||
| Coordinates | 52°07′37″N 000°57′21″E / 52.12694°N 0.95583°E / 52.12694; 0.95583 | ||||||
| Type | Army Air Corps airfield | ||||||
| Site information | |||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||
| Operator | British Army | ||||||
| Controlled by | Army Air Corps | ||||||
| Condition | Operational | ||||||
| Site history | |||||||
| Built | 1913 (1913) | ||||||
| In use | Royal Air Force (1939–1942 and 1946–1992) US Army Air Forces (1942–1946) Army Air Corps (1993 – present) | ||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||
| Garrison | |||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||
| Identifiers | ICAO: EGUW, WMO: 035900 | ||||||
| Elevation | 86.2 metres (283 ft) AMSL | ||||||
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| Other airfield facilities | Dummy landing deck | ||||||
| Source: UK Military AIP[1] | |||||||
The RAF maintains a presence at the airfield with a section of Survival Equipment Specialists who maintain survival equipment carried by Apache aircrew, including their helmets.
The airfield covers a site of 1,072 acres (434 ha), with approximately 2,000 troops stationed on site.
Wattisham Airfield has had a long and distinguished history. First opening in April 1939, the airfield was used by the RAF before being lent to the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. After the Second World War, Wattisham became one of the UK's front-line air force fighter airfields during the Cold War, with aircraft on Quick Reaction Alert on a rotational basis with other UK fighter stations.[2]
Wattisham used to house 'B' Flight, 22 Squadron Royal Air Force with its Search & Rescue Sea King helicopters, until the privatisation of SAR provision in 2015, which led to 22 Squadron standing down. The closest SAR base under the new Bristow Helicopters contract is Lydd Airport in Kent.[3]
As of 1 November 2018, there were 852 personnel assigned to 3 and 4 Regiments and 429 to 7 Aviation Support Battalion.[4]
Apart from the military, the Anglia Gliding Club also operates from the airfield.[5] (making it the oldest serving member of Wattisham, having been there as a RAFGSA club when the RAF occupied). Also resident is No 1287 Sqn, Air Training Corps.[6]
There is a museum on site which tells the history of the airfield and this is open on Sundays during April to October.[7]
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Wattisham Airfield.[8][9][10][11]
edit1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team / Army Air Corps
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
