MOD Woodbridge explained

MOD Woodbridge
Ensign:File:Flag of the British Army.svg
Ensign Size:90px
Nearest Town:Woodbridge, Suffolk
Country:England
Type:Barracks and training airfield
Pushpin Map:Suffolk
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Suffolk
Pushpin Label:MOD Woodbridge
Pushpin Label Position:top
Ownership:Ministry of Defence
Operator:British Army
Controlledby:Royal Engineers
Site Area:369 hectares
Used:Royal Air Force (1943–1948)
United States Air Force (1952–1993)
British Army (2006–present)

Ministry of Defence Woodbridge or MOD Woodbridge is a military installation located near the town of Woodbridge, in Suffolk, England. The site opened in 2006 and is operated by the British Army and incorporates both Rock Barracks and Woodbridge Airfield. The barracks are home to two Royal Engineers regiments. The airfield is used periodically by helicopters of the Army Air Corps for training exercises.

The site was previously known as RAF Woodbridge and had periods where it was operated by the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force. The RAF station closed in August 1993.

History

RAF Woodbridge

Constructed in 1943 as a Royal Air Force (RAF) airfield during the Second World War to assist damaged aircraft to land on their return from raids over Germany, it was later used by the United States Air Force during the Cold War, being the primary home for the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron and squadrons of the 81st Fighter Wing under various designations until 1993. For many years, the 81st Fighter Wing also operated from nearby RAF Bentwaters, with Bentwaters and Woodbridge being known as the "Twin Bases". The RAF station closed in August 1993.[1]

Reactivation

In 2001, the Ministry of Defence announced that £100 million would be invested in the Woodbridge site in order to accommodate British Army personnel. Due to budgetary constraints and commitments to Operation Telic (the UK's contribution to the Iraq War), the start of work at Woodbridge was delayed until January 2004.[2]

On 1 September 2006, the former Woodbridge site was split up and the two parts renamed as Woodbridge Airfield and Rock Barracks.[3]

Airfield

Woodbridge Airfield is used by Army Air Corps helicopters for training exercises. During August 2016, the airfield was used for testing the Airbus A400M Atlas.[4]

Cancelled closure

In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that MOD Woodbridge would close by 2027.[5] [6] However, in February 2019, following detailed assessment work, the Ministry of Defence concluded the retention of MOD Woodbridge supports the military requirement of the Army, and its closure was cancelled.[7]

Based units

The following units are based at Rock Barracks.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The skyfields of Suffolk. BBC. 29 August 2002. 7 December 2019.
  2. News: New life for Suffolk RAF base. 10 October 2003. Ipswich Star. 16 October 2018. en.
  3. Web site: Gallery: Thousands enjoy Rock Barracks open day. East Anglian Daily Times. 5 September 2011. 7 December 2019.
  4. News: A400M in austere runway trials. Allison. George. 25 August 2016. UK Defence Journal. 16 October 2018. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Rock Barracks at Woodbridge, home to 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, set to close. Geater. Paul. 7 November 2016. East Anglian Daily Times. 16 October 2018.
  6. Web site: A Better Defence Estate. November 2016. GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 16 October 2018.
  7. News: Defence bases marked for closure will now be kept open. BBC News. 28 February 2019. 16 January 2021.
  8. Web site: Airborne engineer squadron returns to the ranks. 16 July 2018. British Army. en-GB. 16 October 2018.
  9. Web site: 28 Engineer Regiment. 15 April 2021.