DIO on track for Wildcats’ arrival in Somerset
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) final contract that will deliver new facilities for Wildcat helicopters at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton has been marked with a turf-cutting ceremony at the site of the new development.
RNAS Yeovilton will soon be home to the new Wildcat helicopters of the British Army and Royal Navy, with Army regiments moving from Gütersloh in Germany, and Yorkshire to the Navy Airstation.
DIO signed the first contract with industry partner Carillion in February 2014 to provide the new training and office facilities that will ensure that servicemen and women at the air base are able to train for deployment using both the existing fleet of Lynx helicopters and the Wildcats.
The final contract will deliver new and improved messing, accommodation, sports and medical facilities at the Somerset air station. Works start this month and the project will be completed in November 2016 when the new helicopters are due to arrive.
DIO team leader Steve Jeffries said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces by delivering the facilities they need to live, work, train and deploy on operations – the right buildings in the right places.
“Acquisition of the new Wildcat helicopters means that the Yeovilton base will become the British Army and Royal Navy’s centre for both front line squadrons and training units, including the Commando Helicopter Force.
“Today is an exciting day as it marks the start of the final part of the development.”
Commodore Jock Alexander, commanding officer at RNAS Yeovilton, added:
“It is great news that DIO is providing these much-needed new facilities here at Yeovilton. They will enhance our capabilities and ensure the Wildcat force is ready when needed.
“We look forward to working with the construction team at Carillion to deliver the final piece of this project.”
Richard Lumby, managing director Carillion Defence, said:
“We are delighted to have secured these contracts which will see Carillion deliver vital facilities for both the Royal Navy and Army and the men and women who will be based at RNAS Yeovilton.
“This project will not only see Carillion transform the base but also create local jobs, including apprenticeships, and work with local suppliers as part of our commitment to bring lasting benefits to our customers and the communities in which we work.”
Ends
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1) The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2) DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
3) Our work includes supporting operational units by providing and improving single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, and its heritage is protected, and to achieve its environmental goals.
4) Carillion is a leading integrated support services company with a substantial portfolio of Public Private Partnership projects and extensive construction capabilities. The Group had annual revenue in 2013 of some £4.1 billion, employs around 40,000 people and operates across theUK, in the Middle East andCanada.
5) Carillion is a member of the FTSE 4Good Index and in 2013 the Group was awarded Platinum Big Tick status in Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index. It has also achieved a position on the 2013 FTSE 350 Climate Performance Leadership Index and the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index, placing it within the top ten UK companies with regard to actions to mitigate climate change.
6) DIO and Carillion staff joined military colleagues for a turf turning event before Carillion took over the site.
Picture caption – please credit ‘Crown copyright/MOD 2014’:
From left: Project Director Carillion Trevor Pratt, commanding officer RNAS Yeovilton Commodore Jock Alexander and DIO Deputy Head Manager Projects West Matt Harris.
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