RAF Cottesmore is not under threat to close!!!!

[cottesmore09]

Found in the Rutland Times today

PERSONNEL from RAF Cottesmore are preparing to fly out to Afghanistan amid speculation about the future of the base.
A national newspaper has named the Rutland station as one of five most at risk of closure as part of a 2010 spending review which is expected to save £200m.

But the Ministry of Defence and RAF Cottesmore have both denied claims that it is under threat and say personnel are remaining focused on their jobs.They believe the pending retirement of the 40-year-old Harriers, which are based in Rutland, could be the reason for the speculation.

Cotttesmore spokesman Sqn Ldr Paula Willmot said: "There is a spending review next year and at the moment we don't know what the results will be but every single unit will be under scrutiny.

"The Harrier celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and is being replaced by the F35, but although its base is being discussed that could be here or anywhere else.

"We have had no notice that we will be treated any differently to other stations so will just have to wait and see what happens."

Rutland MP Alan Duncan has offered his support to the base, which employs about 2,300 people and makes up 10 per cent of Rutland's population.

He said: "RAF Cottesmore is immensely popular within the community and a highly effective RAF base. I would fight extremely hard to make sure that it stays open.

"Whatever changes in aircraft are made, I would want something based at Cottesmore."

The Ministry of Defence has also insisted that no air bases have been identified as most at risk.

A spokesman said: "Planning Round 2010, which is currently under way, seeks to rebalance the programme to reflect current priorities and residual pressures on the Defence Budget.

"Importantly the work will ensure that the top priority is given to achieving success on operations in Afghanistan and tough decisions will have to be taken to ensure that this is the case."

A spokesman for RAF Wittering, which is home to the Harrier training base, said the base would not comment on the speculation

A team of 10 reserve regiment gunners from RAF Cottesmore will be flying to Afghanistan in the next couple of weeks.

The part-time servicemen from 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, based at RAF Cottesmore, will join the full-time 3 Squadron (RAF Regiment) from RAF Wittering for a six-month tour where they will patrol the area around air bases.

As a reserve unit they can be called up on operations for one year in every three. They have been training for the last three months.

They are expected to fly to Afghanistan within the next couple of weeks.

Hope this means Cottesmore stays open and that the F-35 has a chance to be based here .

Thanks, Cottesmore09

[Sheff]

I posted this in the Mess section yesterday - It's quite funny - they headline the story and when you read it, you see that the base is just as likely to close (almost guaranteed in fact) as it ever was - nobody has actually said anything of any value... but hey let's not allow facts to get in the way of a story! The funniest bit though is the MP doing the usual political claptrap. As if his "wanting" something based at Cottesmore has any influence in this saga. What a joke! Politicians and media, don't you just love 'em.