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Today Wattisham Airfield is the home of the British Army Air Corps, B Flight 22 Squadron Air Sea Rescue and the Police.
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(click to enlarge)
In March 1993, The British Army Officially took over Wattisham Airfield. With it's HQ in Colchester Garrison, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps arrived in the summer of 1993, made up of 3 Squadrons, 653,662 and 663 flying the Westland Lynx AH7, AH9 and the Gazelle AH1's helicopters.
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(click to enlarge)
In early 1995, 4 Regiment Army Air Corps joined 3 Regiment, with Squadrons 659, 669 and 654 flying the same Lynx and Gazelle helicopters . January 1995 also saw the arrival of 7 Battalion REME, the army's second line helicopter repair unit. The Army units based at Wattisham Airfield support military operations worldwide. Detachments and crews from Wattisham have worked and continue to work in such places as Bosnia, Croatia and Northern Ireland.
The RAF presence still remains at Wattisham in the form of B Flight 22 Squadron, operating Sea King MK 111 helicopters in the search and rescue role. The RAF Survival Equipment Fitters are also stationed are Wattisham on detachment to the Army Air Corps.
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On the 2nd October 2000 the EC135 Advanced Police Helicopter flew into Wattisham Airfield, packed with Hi-Tech equipment, including a high powered video camera and imaging systems. The helicopter is able to track fleeing criminals and stolen vehicles without engaging the public. The helicopter is crewed by a pilot and two observers, but is capable of carrying up to seven people.
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Flying at Wattisham looks likely to carry on for the foreseeable future. The Army Air Corps will be taking delivery (if not already done so) of the Westland Apache Attack Helicopter. The Apache will be equipped with the Longbow radar targeting systems. With this new type of helicopter the Army Air Corps will be able to meet any situation with the appropriate response.
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The Army helicopters, Air Sea Rescue and Police helicopters along with the odd fixed wing aircraft, eg the C130 Hercules Transporter, can regularly be seen flying over Wattisham Airfield and the surrounding area on week days and at weekends.
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