SAVE RAF COTTESMORE

Dist · 21 Jan 2010 at 03:35

Well I would have thought they may have been some bases that manage servers or networking equipment for whatever use, and civilian contractors may be able to do the job cheaper if they just move that stuff offsite to somewhere cheaper to run to save money. I didn't think they would simply get rid of RAF personel and just get civilians to come in and do the exact same jobs in the exact same locations. I guess i misunderstood what the change over to civilian contractors involved, sorry.

Jonnycoupe · 21 Jan 2010 at 21:29

Stringy said:
O RLY?

Wowsers, the Grob Tutor. What an effective weapon that is for Afghan operations.

Chasser · 21 Jan 2010 at 21:56

NathanE said:
RAF bases can and do get reopened. They aren't gone forever. Just mothballed.

Really, such as where?

Stevio · 21 Jan 2010 at 22:08

Dist said:
Is there an RAF base dedicated or mostly dedicated to ICT type stuff? Because someone mentioned on a different thread that the RAF is getting rid of most of their ICT roles (such as ICT specialist) in favour of getting civilian contractors. If so that could lead to certain ICT specialized bases being closed, or at least scaled down.

A lot of ICT roles are already civilian. We're mostly civil servants rather than contractors though.

^^Gord^^ · 21 Jan 2010 at 23:21

Chasser said:
Really, such as where?

Lots of RAF Stations have gone into 'care and maintenance' and come out again. RAF Scampton being the latest (from memory?!).

Chasser · 22 Jan 2010 at 16:37

^^Gord^^ said:
Lots of RAF Stations have gone into 'care and maintenance' and come out again. RAF Scampton being the latest (from memory?!).

Scampton is probably the only example.

^^Gord^^ · 22 Jan 2010 at 20:42

Chasser said:
Scampton is probably the only example.

If you are talking post WWII you have the following stations that have gone into 'care and maintenance' and then back to flight operations again...

RAF Valley - 1946 > 1949
RAF Odiham - 1959 > 1960
RAF Wittering - 1952 > 1954
RAF Coningsby - 1964 > 1966
RAF Cottesmore - 1975 > 1979
RAF Waddington - 1953 > 1955

We may see Cottesmore again go into care and maintenance then be prepared for another role, for example to host the Army that return from Germany.