21st July 2004

On 21st July 2004, the Minister for Armed Forces, Mr Adam Ingram MP, announced the drawdown of RAF Boulmer resulting in the relocation of all Service personnel from RAF Boulmer, with the exception of those employed in support of the Search and Rescue (SAR) tasks and some personnel to maintain the remote radar head at Brizlee Wood, to RAF Scampton by 2012.

Number 1 Air Control Centre has already moved to RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey; however, in January 2006, due to an increase in estimated implementation costs, the Minister for the Armed Forces decided not to develop RAF Scampton as an RAF communications hub. Although it remains the intention to relocate the School of Fighter Control and the Control and Reporting Centre from RAF Boulmer, the longer term basing strategy for these units is now under review with a decision expected in Spring 2007.

The Station will remain an enclave site for A Flight 202 Sqn at least until the introduction of a new SAR helicopter.

10 January 2008

RAF Boulmer’s long-term future has been secured, it was announced today.

A study into where to base elements of the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) has concluded that the best option – in both financial and operational terms – is to retain RAF Boulmer as the ASACS hub.

Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth said:

“I’m pleased to announce that, after a thorough review of the options, RAF Boulmer will remain the Air Surveillance and Control System hub. This is great news for the military and civilian staff on site and the local community.”

Group Captain W J Millington, Station Commander at RAF Boulmer and ASCAS Force Commander said:

“We are delighted that the Station will remain as the ASACS hub. This is welcome news, not only for the personnel based here, but also for the local community who have shown us great support over the years.”

The Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) Basing Study is looking to identify the range of basing options for ASACS elements, currently based at RAF Boulmer, RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and RAF Scampton.

During the course of the ASACS Basing Study it became clear that the retention of RAF Boulmer as a core site for the ASACS hub was the best option, so it was decided, subject to Trades Union Consultation, that RAF Boulmer should not draw down in 2012 and should instead remain the ASACS hub.

Service and civilian personnel at RAF Boulmer, RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and RAF Scampton will be briefed on the progress of the study.

This decision only refers to RAF Boulmer’s future within the ASACS Basing Study. The final outcome of the study which will include the basing of the ASACS satellite units at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and RAF Scampton is expected shortly.

28 October 2008

The final outcome of the ASACS Basing Study, subject to Trades Union (TU) consultation, was announced in a Written Ministerial Statement today.

Following the announcement, on 10 January 2008, that RAF Boulmer would remain as the ASACS hub, much work has been undertaken to decide the best course of action, financially and operationally, for the future of the ASACS satellite units at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and RAF Scampton. It was announced that RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, had been chosen to become the home of the second Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) and No 1 Air Control Centre (No 1 ACC). The Written Ministerial Statement, by the Minister for Armed Forces, confirmed that:

“the re-location of the ASACS satellite units to RAF Coningsby was the best option in financial and operational terms. Therefore, I have decided that…the CRC at RAF Scampton and No 1 ACC at RAF Kirton-In-Lindsey will collocate at RAF Coningsby. The relocation is due to complete by the end of 2014.”

The move to RAF Coningsby, currently the home of the RAF’s Typhoon force, will see approximately 300 Service personnel relocate from RAF Scampton and RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey. The collocation, as well as proving sound financially, will also allow ASACS personnel to work side-by-side with the fast jet crews whom they support on a daily basis. In a statement, the RAF Business Secretariat addressed the implications for the two bases:

“Following the relocation, RAF Kirton-In-Lindsey will be passed to Defence Estates for disposal and RAF Scampton will draw down to only those facilities deemed necessary to support the RAFAT (RAF Aerobatic Team – The Red Arrows) activities within the reserved airspace above the airfield. This will result in some 300 Service personnel being relocated to RAF Coningsby. There are 37 MOD civilian and 168 contractor staff posts at RAF Scampton and RAF Kirton-In-Lindsey which will be affected, and most will no longer be required following completion of the collocation by 2014.”

ASACS manpower and infrastructure at RAF Boulmer will be unaffected by the closure of RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and the drawdown of RAF Scampton. Furthermore, the result of the ASACS Basing Study, will have no impact on the future of ‘A’ Flt 202 Sqn Search and Rescue, also based at RAF Boulmer.