Most Certainly, A Unique Place To visit
This is one of the largest ex-RAF Air Force Stations, most recently used and occupied by the US Air Force before the station was decommissioned and turned over to new and, as yet unsold, car storage. Famed for its runways that were once the 2nd longest in Europe, jet fighters, cruise missile silos and more, it is also something of a microcosm of US life and environment.
As we are car-based, we were permitted to drive ourselves around the base etc. in our own cars with a tour guide and a number of US Military Personnel getting the same introduction.
The Tour Begins At The Heritage Centre
Being a 3 hour tour around a VERY Large aerodrome, the initial briefing also allowed the group time to 'prepare' themselves. Fortunately, the day was not TOO windy nor very wet, making entry into sometimes dark facilities an, at least, tolerable experience.
We were very pleased to have new Region Member Trevor Lewis and his wife Anne joins us - just days after making contact with us as new Club Members.
Inevitably, the scale of the structures themselves plus the weight of materials used gave real pause for thought, especially in that visitors get up close and personal with the various facilities.
Naturally, Of Real Interest Were the Plane Shelters
Each one housing a fast response fighter jet, these shelters were contructed in a form to protect the planes and crews and, of course, the nuslear weapons rigged upon some of them.
Members got to see up close these facilities and the various attempts made to humanise them.
But Everyone Appreciated It Was Not All About The Fighter Jockeys
No Air Force Squadron of any nation can operate in isolation of the planning, support, control and accomodation activities.
Our tour also introduced us to examples of these facilities in action. This was at least as interesting as the other aspects of the tour.
All Our Contigent Enjoyed This Tour
It was a real eye-opener and utterly fascinating. Thanks went to John Reed for organising it.
And then our Members wended their ways home, gearing up for the visit to Morgan Cars in Malvern, taking place just two days later......
