-
Land Purchased
Land purchased on eastern side of Wattisham village and work starts on building the airfield. -
Hanger Built
4 X "C" type hangers were completed along with Barrack Blocks and other support facilities buildings. A grass landing area is formed. -
Handed Over To RAF
Wattisham Airfield handed over to RAF. Wing Commander O.R. Gayford DFC AFC -
107 & 110 Sqn Arrive
107 Sqn & 110 Sqn arrive at Wattisham equipped with Bristol Blenheim Mk1's under No.2 Group Bomber Command -
107 & 110 Sqn Re-Equip Blenheim
107 Sqn & 110 Sqn Re- equip with Bristol Blenheim Mk4's -
Fear OF War Grows
Fears of war grow 110 Sqn deploy to Ipswich Airport. 107 Sqn stay at Wattisham -
War is declared
-
1st Bombing Raid
1st bombing raid of the war took place from Wattisham. The mission, to attack German battleships near Wilhelmshaven.10 aircraft, 5 from each Squadron left Wattisham, 4 aircraft from 107 Sqn and 1 aircraft from 110 Sqn were lost. Flt Lieutenant Doran from 110Sqd is awarded the DFC for his part in the attack -
17 Sqn Command Arrives
17 Sqn 12 Group Fighter Command arrive to give airfield protection flying Hawker Hurricane Mk1's -
Basil E. Embry 107 Sqn
Wing Commander Basil E. Embry takes over command of 107 Sqn -
110 Sqd Loose 2 Aircraft
110Sqd loose 2 aircraft on a recognisance mission over Munster -
504 Sqn Arrive
504 Sqn 12 Group Fighter Command arrive to give airfield protection flying Hawker Hurricane Mk1's -
107 Sqn Loose 2 Aircraft
107 Sqn loose 2 aircraft after a recognisance mission to find the German Fleet -
107 Sqn move to Lossiemouth
107 Sqn move to Lossiemouth -
110 Sqn join 107 Sqd at Lossiemouth
-
107 Sqn & 110 Sqd move back to Wattisham
-
Germany Invades France
Germany invades France, Holland and Belgium. 12 aircraft from 110 Sqn raid airfield North of the Hague. All return safely -
4 Blenheim 107 Sqn lost
4 Blenheim aircraft from 107 Sqn lost after raid on bridges over the river Maas -
Wing Commander posted to West Raynham
Wing Commander Embry posted to West Raynham. Flew his last mission from Wattisham, was shot down but evaded capture. -
12 Blenheims Bomb Merville
12 Blenheims from Wattisham bomb Merville airfield damaging parked Ju88's and Bf109's -
6 Blenheims attack Amiens Airfield, only 1 aircraft returns.
-
Luftwaffe Bombers attack Wattisham
-
110 Sqn attacks barges in Boulogne Harbour with incendiary bombs
-
Butterfly bombs are dropped on Wattisham
Butterfly bombs are dropped on Wattisham by the Luftwaffe 2 SNCO's were killed while trying to defuse them. -
Wing Commander I F Sinclair of 110 Sqn
Wing Commander I F Sinclair of 110 Sqn. is the first RAF Officer in the war to be awarded the George Cross. He rescued an air gunner from a Blenheim that had crashed on take off fully loaded with bombs -
Luftwaffe drop instantaneous, Deaths reports
Luftwaffe drop instantaneous and delayed action bombs on barracks and married quarters. 12 airman we killed, 27 inured. -
2 Blenheims Destroyed, hanger burnt down
2 x Ju88's drop incendiary bombs on Wattisham, 2 Blenheims destroyed and a hanger burned down -
8 Blind Approach Training Fight enheim Mk1
8 Blind Approach Training Fight form at Wattisham flying Blenheim Mk1 -
107 Sqn move to Leuchars
107 Sqn move to Leuchars. 86 Sqn move from Leuchars to Wattisham flying Blenheim Mk4's -
86 Sqn leave for North Coast
86 Sqn leave for North Coast to re- equip with Bristol Beaufighters -
226 Sqn arrive from N. Ireland
226 Sqn arrive from N. Ireland flying Blenheim Mk4's -
110 Sqn send 17 Blenheim Bombers to Malta
110 Sqn send 17 Blenheim Bombers to Malta. Returning to Wattisham in mid August -
13 Sqn. Arrive equipped with Blenheim Mk4's
13 Sqn. Arrive equipped with Blenheim Mk4's -
226 Sqn Re-equip with Boston Mk3's
226 Sqn Re-equip with Boston Mk3's and leave for Swanton Morley -
236 Sqn Arrive equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter Mk1
236 Sqn Arrive equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter Mk1 -
18 Sqn arrive from Horsham St. Faith Flying Blenheim Mk4's
18 Sqn arrive from Horsham St. Faith Flying Blenheim Mk4's -
Paris throwing out a French Tricolour flag.
A Beaufighter from 236 Sqn flown by Flt. Lt. AK Gatward & Sgt. G Fern flew at low level down the Champs d' Elysees, Paris throwing out a French Tricolour flag. -
110 Sqn leave for India
110 Sqn leave for India -
236 Sqn Leave Wattisham for Oulton
236 Sqn Leave Wattisham for Oulton -
13 Sqn Leave Wattisham
13 Sqn Leave Wattisham -
18 Sqn. Leave Wattisham for West Rayham
18 Sqn. Leave Wattisham for West Rayham -
Wattisham becomes the First (temporary) UK station of the US 12th Air Force
Wattisham becomes the First (temporary) UK station of the US 12th Air Force -
The 68th Observation Group move in to Wattisham
The 68th Observation Group move in to Wattisham -
The 68th Observation Group move out to North Africa
The 68th Observation Group move out to North Africa -
Wattisham becomes 3rd Advanced Air Depot
Wattisham becomes 3rd Advanced Air Depot -
The 10th Air Depot established at Wattisham
The 10th Air Depot established at Wattisham, tasked with salvaging & repairing heavy bombers. Wattisham assumes the role of Central Supply depot for all US air formations within the UK -
Wattisham handed over to Colonel Green of the USAAF.
Wattisham handed over to Colonel Green of the USAAF. Wattisham becomes 6th Advanced Air Depot. Construction of paved runway and taxiways started ready for the arrival of heavy bomber group -
Work is halted on bring airfield
Work is halted on bring airfield up to Class A standard as it was felt that there were enough heavy bomber bases for the USA. -
The 3rd Advanced Air Depot renamed The 4th Strategic Air Depot
The 3rd Advanced Air Depot renamed The 4th Strategic Air Depot -
479th Fighter Group arrive
479th Fighter Group arrive under the control of 65th Fighter Wing, 8th Air Force. Colonel Kyle Riddle takes command. 479th is made up of 3 Squadrons, 434, 435, 436, Equipped with the P38 Lightning. -
First official mission flown by 479th
First official mission flown by 479th -
479th First enemy aircraft destroyed by Captain Frank Keller
479th First enemy aircraft destroyed by Captain Frank Keller -
D Day 479th Fly many air cover sweeps across the English Cannel.
479th Fly many air cover sweeps across the English Cannel. -
The group encounter there first ME163 jet fighter.
The group encounter there first ME163 jet fighter. Captain Arthur Jeffrey credited with it's destruction. The group has flown 111 missions in just over 2 months -
Colonel Riddle Shot down over enemy territory
Colonel Riddle Shot down over enemy territory. Colonel Hubert Zemke takes command of the group -
49 x P38's Escort B24 bombers during attack on Nancy / Essey airfield.
49 x P38's Escort B24 bombers during attack on Nancy / Essey airfield. Once the B24's had dropped their bombs the 479th attacked the airfield destroying 43 enemy aircraft and leaving 28 damaged. The Group received its first Distinguished Unit Citation -
The 479th re-equip with the P51 Mustang
The 479th re-equip with the P51 Mustang -
31 x P38's & 12 x P51's led by Colonel Zemke
31 x P38's & 12 x P51's led by Colonel Zemke encounter a formation of Bf 109's and FW190's in the Munster area. The group shot down 37 aircraft, with the loss of just 1. The group receives it's 2nd Distinguished Unit Citation for this action -
The 479th meet another large formation of enemy aircraft,
The 479th meet another large formation of enemy aircraft, Shooting down 31 planes and damaging 6 without loss -
Colonel Zemke's P51 brakes up in severe weather over Celle
Colonel Zemke's P51 brakes up in severe weather over Celle., he bales out and spend the rest of the war as a P.O.W. Colonel Riddle resumes command of the 479th.The only officer to command Wattisham twice. -
Flying Officer Raymond King of the 436th Fighter Sqn
Flying Officer Raymond King of the 436th Fighter Sqn. experienced engine problems while escorting a colleague home. He had to ditch 800 yrds. off shore. he was picked up by a fishing boat, but did not survive. In 1987 his aircraft was raised from the sea by members of the East Essex Aviation Museum and is currently housed at the Martello Tower at St. Osyths -
Lt. Hilton Thompson saw an Arado 234 jet below him
Lt. Hilton Thompson saw an Arado 234 jet below him, he shot it down. The last German aircraft to be shot down by American guns in the war. This was the last mission flown by the 479th -
War is over.
War is over. During 11 months of action the 479th accounted for 155 enemy aircraft shot down and 279 destroyed on the ground during 351 missions. -
Lt Thomson crashes into the English Channel
Lt Thomson crashes into the English Channel and is killed during a training flight. -
479th sail home for America
479th sail home for America -
The Americans formally hand the station back the RAF
The Americans formally hand the station back the RAF. Squadron Leader Brown assumes command on behalf of 25 group. A care and maintenance party move in. -
Wing Commander Lister takes command of the station
Wing Commander Lister takes command of the station -
56 Sqn and 266 Sqn. arrive at Wattisham
56 Sqn and 266 Sqn. arrive at Wattisham equipped with Meteor Mk 3's. No flying was possible due to bad weather until early March. -
266 Sqn. move out to Tangmere, due to airfield unsuitable for jets.
266 Sqn. move out to Tangmere, due to airfield unsuitable for jets. -
56 Sqn. move to Duxford due to airfield unsuitable for jets.
56 Sqn. move to Duxford due to airfield unsuitable for jets. -
A detachment of 695 Sqn arrive flying Spitfire Mk16's
A detachment of 695 Sqn arrive flying Spitfire Mk16's,Oxford's and Martinets, with the role of Army & Navy co-operation, target towing and radar control -
Fighter Command Technical Training School set up by Squadron Leader Healy
Fighter Command Technical Training School set up by Squadron Leader Healy -
601 & 604 Sqn's visit, Flying Spitfire Mk16's to carry out various exercises
601 & 604 Sqn's visit, Flying Spitfire Mk16's to carry out various exercises -
695 Sqn renumbered 34 Sqd
695 Sqn renumbered 34 Sqd -
Summer 1949 Additional 186 acres purchased
Additional 186 acres purchased, longer hardened runway completed, Hangers 2&3 rebuilt, aircraft readiness and servicing platforms built. -
34 Sqn. move to Sradishall
34 Sqn. move to Sradishall and Fighter Command Technical Training School closes shortly afterwards. -
RAF Wattisham becomes an Air Combat Group
RAF Wattisham becomes an Air Combat Group, Comprising of flying, technical and administrative wings. Group Captain Acheson takes command -
257 Sqn arrive flying Meteor F.8's from Horsham St. Faith
257 Sqn arrive flying Meteor F.8's from Horsham St. Faith -
263 Sqn arrive flying Meteor F.8's
263 Sqn arrive flying Meteor F.8's -
16 LAA Sqn RAF Regiment arrive from Mildenhall as airfield defence
16 LAA Sqn RAF Regiment arrive from Mildenhall as airfield defence -
A Meteor from 152 Sqn. crashes
A Meteor from 152 Sqn. crashed 2 miles from Wattisham Airfield at Spinks Farm Battisford. Both the Pilot: F.O. D.E Coleman 25 and Navigator F.O. J.B.L North 22 died in the accident -
EAST COAST FLOODS
EAST COAST FLOODS. Felixstowe was flooded to a depth of 9 feet, 260 men + 100 dependents were evacuated to Wattisham. Over 500 service men from the station helped dam the breaches in the sea defences along the East Coast -
HRH Prince Phillip Visits Wattisham
HRH Prince Phillip Visits Wattisham -
Meteor from 257 Sqn. crashes
A Meteor from 257 Sqn. crashed at Gorton nr Boxford. Pilot Officer George E Pullen ejected safely -
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I I
23 Aircraft from Wattisham take part in the fly past for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth11 -
152 Sqn arrive flying Meteor NF12's and NF 14's
152 Sqn arrive flying Meteor NF12's and NF 14's -
257 Sqn. are Re-equipped with Hunter F2's
257 Sqn. are Re-equipped with Hunter F2's -
Meteor Crash
Flight Officer J G Carter ejected from his Meteor aircraft seconds before it crashed near RAF Bentwaters Suffolk -
263 Sqn. are Re-equipped with Hunter F2's
263 Sqn. are Re-equipped with Hunter F2's -
The Hunter F2's were supplemented Hunter F5's
The Hunter F2's were supplemented Hunter F5's -
Flying Officer Hedley Molland of 263 Sqn
Flying Officer Hedley Molland of 263 Sqn. was the first person outside the USA to successfully eject from an aircraft at supersonic speed. -
Hunter WP107 'G' of 263 Sqn. crashes near Stowmarket
Hunter WP107 'G' of 263 Sqn. crashes near Stowmarket -
Aircraft from Wattisham take part in fly past
Aircraft from Wattisham take part in fly past at RAF Marham for the Soviet Leaders Bulganin & Kruschev -
Due to runway repairs 257 Sqn and 263 Sqn fly to RAF Wymeswold
Due to runway repairs 257 Sqn and 263 Sqn fly to RAF Wymeswold. 152 Sqd. move to Stradishall -
152 Sqn. move back to Wattisham
152 Sqn. move back to Wattisham -
257 Sqn disbanded
257 Sqn disbanded -
263 Sqn. re-equip with Hunter F6's
263 Sqn. re-equip with Hunter F6's -
152 Sqn. and 263 Sqn. move
152 Sqn. and 263 Sqn. move back to Stradishall while more improvements are made to Wattisham and Stayed -
111 Sqn " Black Arrows" Display Team arrive at Wattisham
111 Sqn " Black Arrows" Display Team arrive at Wattisham, lead by Squadron Leader Roger Topp -
41 Sqn arrive equipped with Javelin FAW 4's and FAW 5's
41 Sqn arrive equipped with Javelin FAW 4's and FAW 5's -
Javelin FAW4 Crashes
Javelin FAW4 from 41 Sqn. crashed ¼ mile north west of Wattisham Airfield. Captain E. Taylor an USAF exchange pilot was killed when his parachute had no time to deploy. Flt.Lt. B Bedford ejected safely. -
FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW
FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW. 111 Sqn. "Black Arrows" with the help of aircraft from 56 Sqn fly a 22 aircraft loop -
56 Sqn. arrive equipped with Hunters from Waterbeach
56 Sqn. arrive equipped with Hunters from Waterbeach -
41 Sqn. are first to re-equip with the Javelin FAW 8's
41 Sqn. are first to re-equip with the Javelin FAW 8's -
Black Arrows Pilot Killed
Ft.Lt. Stan Wood from 111Sqn. Black Arrows was killed when his aircraft collided in mid air with another aircraft whilst performing a bomb burst manoeuvre -
Vampire T11 Crashes
Vampire T11. from RAF Oakington crashed at Nedging south of Wattisham Airfield. Flt Lt. Garwood was killed, The student pilot ejected safely -
56 Sqn Re-equips with first Lightning F1A's
56 Sqn Re-equips with first Lightning F1A's -
111 Sqn. Re-equips with Lightning F1A's Wattisham
111 Sqn. Re-equips with Lightning F1A's Wattisham is the only station to operate Lightning F1A's -
Javelin FAW8 Crashes
Javelin FAW8 from 41 Sqn. crashed when it’s airframe broke up. Pilot Flt Lt. J Hatch and Navigator Flt.Lt. J Nothall we both killed. (Spontaneous Ejection ) -
" The Firebirds"
56 Sqn. form RAF aerobatic team called " The Firebirds" led by Squadron Leader David Steard -
41 Sqn. Disbanded
41 Sqn. Disbanded -
56 Sqn. Re-equip with the updated Lightning F3
56 Sqn. Re-equip with the updated Lightning F3 -
111 Sqn. Re-equip with the updated Lightning F3
111 Sqn. Re-equip with the updated Lightning F3 -
Target Facilities Flight (TFF) was set up
Target Facilities Flight (TFF) was set up. It's task was to provide high speed targets capable of cine-gun recorder dog-fights. To achieve this the flew the old Lightning F1's and F1A's -
56 Sqn. move to Akrotim ( Cyprus )
56 Sqn. move to Akrotim ( Cyprus ) -
1 Air Control Centre (ACC) is established at Wattisham
1 Air Control Centre (ACC) is established at Wattisham -
29 Sqn. swap their ageing Javelin FAW 9R's
29 Sqn. swap their ageing Javelin FAW 9R's for the Lightning F3 and move to Wattisham -
Target Facilities Flight (TFF) is disbanded
Target Facilities Flight (TFF) is disbanded -
111Sqd. re-equip with new Lightning F6's
111Sqd. re-equip with new Lightning F6's -
29 Sqn Awarded the Dacre Trophy
29 Sqn Awarded the Dacre Trophy for top UK fighter Squadron in weapon proficiency. -
111 Sqn. depart for RAF Leuchars
111 Sqn. depart for RAF Leuchars to retrain and re-equipped with the Phantom FG1's -
29 Sqn. depart for RAF Coningsbury
29 Sqn. depart for RAF Coningsbury to re-train on Phantom FGR2's -
56 Sqn. return to Wattisham
56 Sqn. return to Wattisham from Cyprus re-equipped with Lightning F6's -
23 Sqn. arrive equipped with Lightning F6's
23 Sqn. arrive equipped with Lightning F6's -
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy -
23 Sqn. re-equip with the Phanton FGR2
23 Sqn. re-equip with the Phanton FGR2 -
56 Sqn. re-equip with the Phanton FGR2
56 Sqn. re-equip with the Phanton FGR2 -
Aircraft move to Wethersfield while the runway is refurbished.
Aircraft move to Wethersfield while the runway is refurbished. -
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy -
Squadron Leader Tony Alcock & Ft. Lieutenant Norman Brown of 56 Sqd
Squadron Leader Tony Alcock & Ft. Lieutenant Norman Brown of 56 Sqd. fly across the Atlantic to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the original crossing in 1919 -
1 Air Control Centre (ACC) is disbanded
1 Air Control Centre (ACC) is disbanded -
23 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy
23 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy -
Phantom FGR2 Crashes
Phantom FGR2 XV414 from 23 Sqn. has engine fire over North Sea 10 miles off Lowerstoft. Flt.Lt. S Martin & Flt.Lt. N. Morgan ejected safely -
25 (SAM) Sqn. "C" Flight return
25 (SAM) Sqn. "C" Flight return from RAF Laarbruch to become 85 (SAM) Sqn. "E" Flight -
Buccaneer Crashes
Buccaneer S2B 237 OCR from RAF Honington crashed into fields as it made it’s final approach to Wattisham Airfield. Flt.Lt Slogon Flt.Lt Southwold ejected Safely. -
FALKLANDS WAR
FALKLANDS WAR -
'E' Flight replaced by 'C' Flight looking after the Bloodhound Missiles
'E' Flight replaced by 'C' Flight looking after the Bloodhound Missiles -
23 Sqn. send aircraft and personnel to Port Stanley Falklands
23 Sqn. send aircraft and personnel to Port Stanley Falklands. Later disbanded at Wattisham when 29 Sqn. renamed as 23 Sq in Port Stanley -
74 Sqn. reform at Wattisham flying the US Navy F4J Phantom
74 Sqn. reform at Wattisham flying the US Navy F4J Phantom -
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy -
212 RE (V) ADR move to Wattisham
212 RE (V) ADR move to RAF Wattisham to provide Airfield Damage Repair.Their role was to keep the airfield opperational in the advent of war. -
Hawk Trainer Crashes
Hawk T1 Trainer crashed into house at Nedging -
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy
56 Sqn. win Dacre Trophy. 56 Sqn. Engineers win Skyflash Trophy for their expertise in operational turnarounds. -
74 Sqn. Win the Aberporth Trophy for missile fireing expertise
74 Sqn. Win the Aberporth Trophy for missile fireing expertise -
Phantom F4J Crashes
Phantom F4J from 74 Sqn.Flew into the ground whilst on a training flight south of Aberystwyth. Dyfed.
Flt.Lt. E Murdoch & Flt.Lt. J Ogg were both killed -
Phantom FGR2 Crashes
Phantom FGR2 from 56 Sqn. had System failure over Mayenne. France
Flt.Lt. D Johnson & Flt.Lt. J Hacke ejected safely -
50th Anniversary of the station
50th Anniversary of the station. The station is awarded the Wilkinson Sword of peace -
Phantom FGR2 Crashes
Phantom FGR2 from 56 Sqn. had System failure off Flamborough Head. North Yorks. Sqn. Leader Chris Bagnall & Flt.Lt. R Watson ejected safely -
RAF Wattisham Air Day to celebrate the RAF 50th Aniversary
RAF Wattisham Air Day to celebrate the RAF 50th Aniversary -
'C' Flight disbanded when the Bloodhound Missile is taken out of service
'C' Flight disbanded when the Bloodhound Missile is taken out of service -
Due to the collapse of the " Warsaw Pact " Many Phantom Squadrons are disbanded
Due to the collapse of the " Warsaw Pact " Many Phantom Squadrons are disbanded -
212 RE (V) ADR
212RE(V) ADR leave RAF Wattisham -
74 Sqn. replace their Phantom F4J's for Phantom FGR2's
74 Sqn. replace their Phantom F4J's for Phantom FGR2's -
74 Sqn. win fly off with 56 Sqn
74 Sqn. win fly off with 56 Sqn. to select crew for solo Phantom display team at air shows. -
Wattisham provide Royal fly past to celebrate the queens birthday
Wattisham provide Royal fly past to celebrate the queens birthday -
56 Sqn. stood down
56 Sqn. stood down to be renamed 56 (R) Sqn. at Coningsbury, taking on the role of Operational Conversion Unit flying the Tornado F3 -
74 Sqn. move to RAF Valley Anglesey
74 Sqn. move to RAF Valley Anglesey to fly the Hawk Trainer as part of 4 FTS. -
RAF Wattisham is stood down as a fighter base
RAF Wattisham is stood down as a fighter base -
Wattisham Airfield is officially handed over to the British Army
Wattisham Airfield is officially handed over to the British Army -
3 Regiment Army Air Corps arrive
3 Regiment Army Air Corps arrive comprising of 653,662,663 Sqn. flying Lynx and Gazelle helicopters -
2 Sea King Mk11 helicopters as Air Sea Rescue
'B' Flight 22 Sqn. arrive from RAF Manston equipped with 2 Sea King Mk11 helicopters as Air Sea Rescue. -
7 Battalion REME arrive as the army's second line helicopter repair unit
7 Battalion REME arrive as the army's second line helicopter repair unit -
4 Regiment Army Air Corps arrive
4 Regiment Army Air Corps arrive comprising 659,669,654 Sqn's flying Lynx and Gazelle helicopters -
9 Lynx helicopters sent to Croatia
9 Lynx helicopters from 3 Regiment AAC were sent to Croatia to support UN Protection Force -
Lynx helicopter crash
A Lynx Helicopter from 3 Regiment AAC crashed into the sea off Croatia while on a routine reconnaissance training mission.
4 service men were killed -
Wattisham Airfield has open day
Wattisham Airfield has open day -
2 Service men killed.
Two service men from 669 Squadron 4 Regiment were killed when their Lynx helicopter crashed in Bosnia -
16 Air Assault Brigade formed at Wattisham
16 Air Assault Brigade formed at Wattisham -
60th Anniversary of 1st Blenheim Bomber raid
60th Anniversary of 1st Blenheim Bomber raid. Members and families from 110 & 107 Sqn attend. -
Advanced police helicopter arrives
Advanced police helicopter arrives. -
Operation Telec gets underway in Iraq
Operation Telec gets underway in Iraq -
Prince Charles Visits Wattisham
Prince Charles visited Wattisham to meet Pilots, Gunners, and Engineers from 653 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps -
Operation Telec. 3 Reg supply necessary helicopters for 7 & 16 Air Assault Brigades
Operation Telec. 3 Reg supply necessary helicopters for 7 & 16 Air Assault Brigades. Tasked with Reconnaissance, Tank Busting, Forward Air Controlling & Troop movement -
3 Regiment uncover Arms Cash
Soldiers from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps uncover the biggest arms find of the Iraq War,
50.000 Tonns of shells,rockets and other explosives -
60th Anniversary of the "Stars & Strips"
60th Anniversary of the "Stars & Strips" being raised at Wattisham. event attended by 479th veterans, friends and family. -
Fire Fighter dies after returning from Gulf
Mr Leonard Harvey died in hospital in the UK after being taken ill while deployed in the gulf on Operation Telic.He was a civilian firefighter serving with the Defence Fire Service. -
7 Air Assault Battalion REME return to Wattisham
7 Air Assault Battalion REME return to Wattisham after a 4 month tour of duty in Kuwait and Iraq, where they provided technical and maintenance support to 16 Air Assault Brigade -
Operation Telec. 4 Reg. take over task from 3 Reg
Operation Telec. 4 Reg. take over task from 3 Reg emphasis more towards humanitarian effort and rebuilding country -
Soldiers from 4 Regiment leave for Iraq
14 soldiers from 654 Sqadron, 4 regiment joined up with 112 other soldiers from the regiment already in Iraq on a 4 month tour of duty -
2 Apache AH1 attack helicopters delivered to Wattisham
2 Apache AH1 attack helicopters delivered to Wattisham -
4 Regiment Lynx has machanical fault
A Lynx helicopter from 4 Regiment was forced to land east of Upavon Camp, near Tilshead due to a mechanical fault -
Wattisham Memorial unveiled
Wattisham Memorial unveiled. attended by both British and American servicemen, friends and family -
Wattisham Open Day hosted by 3 Reg
Wattisham Open Day hosted by 3 Reg -
Mk II Hurricane takes to the skys
After 2 years of restoration a Mk II Hurricane took to the skies over Wattisham -
"B" Flight 22 Sqn. record it's 2000 callout from Wattisham
"B" Flight 22 Sqn. record it's 2000 callout from Wattisham -
New service centre opened at Wattisham
New service centre opened at Wattisham to maintain and service all UK Apache AH1 helicopters -
664 Sqn. transferred from 9 Reg
664 Sqn. transferred from 9 Reg. Army Air Corps to Wattisham 4 Reg. Wattisham is now home to all Apache AH1 helicopters in British Army. The Lynx helicopter Squadrons move to Dishforth or re-train on the Apache. -
4 Regiment Parade through Ipswich
4 Regiment parade through the streets of Ipswich with a fly-by of Apache attack helicopters -
4 Regiment deploy to Afghanistan
4 Regiment start their first tour of duty with the Apache attack helicopter in Afghanistan. -
3 Regiment recive Campain Medals
Prince Charles came to Wattisham to give Campain Medals to members of 3 Regement after their return from Afghanistan -
Brigadier General Kyle L Riddle died
Brigadier General Kyle L Riddle died today aged 96 -
654 Squadron, 4 Regiment return from Afghanistan
140 service personal from 654 squadron retuned to Wattisham after a gruelling four and a half month tour of duty in Afghanistan -
4 Regiment Recive Campain Medals
100 Personnel from 4 Regiment received their Campaign Medals from General Sir Richard Dannet, Army Chief of the General Staff -
4 Regiment return to Wattisham
Members of 654 Squadron 4 Regiment return to Wattisham after their tour of duty in Afghanistan -
70th Anniversary
Wattisham Airfield celebrated it's 70th Anniversary with an invited guests open day. -
New Police Helicopter
Suffolk Police take possession of a new EC135 helicopter to replace their old EC135 helicopter -
Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visit Wattisham
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visit Wattisham to present Campaign Medals to more that 100 returning 4 Regiment personnel after their tour of Afghanistan -
Hawker Hunter Returns to Wattisham Museum
Hawker Hunter XG194 was flown by Air Commodore Roger Topp, C.O. of 111 Sqn, she was the lead aircraft in the world famous Black Arrows Display Team when they performed a 22 aircraft loop at Farnborough Air show in July 1958. The aircraft was finally grounded and modified to resemble a Russian Mig, and put on the edge of RAF North Luffenham runway and used as a Cold War target.
The tail section was brought home to Wattisham Museum on 14th Nov 2009 followed by the remaining fusalage and wings -
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visits Wattisham Airfield
Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised service personnel for there huge part in the Afghanistan offensive while on a visit to the Wattisham Airfield -
Freedom of Stowmarket
Troops from Wattisham Flying Station were awarded the freedom of Stowmarket. 150 soldiers marched through the town before being given the honour by Mayor Vera Waspe. Colonel David Turner, the Commander of Wattisham Flying Station received a scroll from the Mayor. -
Black Arrows Reunion
Former Black Arrow pilots, ground crew and their families hold reunion at Wattisham to view the progess of Blackjack -
Prince Harry
Prince Harry comes to Wattisham Flying Station
He is starting an Apache 'Conversion to Role' course, where he will learn to operate the aircraft and it's weapon systems in a variety of operational scenarios -
4 Apache's deploy to Libya
4 Apache Attack Helicopters from 656 Squadron Army Air Corps have been deployed to help NATO operations in Libya. They will operate from the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean -
First Combat Mission for the Apache in Libya
Apache helicopters from Wattisham Flying Station carried out their first mission over Libya. Operating from the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, they distroyed a key radar and communications centre and a military checkpoint in the port of Brega -
Prince Charles visits Wattisham
Prince Charles visits Wattisham to hand out Campain Medels to members of 4 Reg returning from their tour of Afganistan -
Guild honour for Apache crews
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) has awarded Apache teams following operations in Afganistan.
The Barnes Wallis Medel was awarded to Major David Amlot MBE, the first person to fly the Apache in 2000 for his work training crews to man the helicopter.656 Squadron received The Master's Commendation for it's pioneering work deploying Apache helicopters from Royal Navy ships.The Johnson Memorial Trophy was awarded to the base's Attack Helicopter Force, pilots and ground crews.
