HRH The Earl of Wessex opens new facilities at RAF Waddington
HRH The Earl of Wessex has officially opened an £18m complex at RAF Waddington, designed to support the RAF’s new Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and contractors Babcock International completed the programme, named Airseeker, last month on behalf of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).
The contract for the 58-week project was awarded to Babcock International in 2014. The work consisted of three main elements including new hardstands - paved areas for aircraft to be parked - a new mission support facility known as the New Annex, and refurbishment of an existing hangar.
Dan Willmott, DIO’s Project Manager, said:
“This is an excellent example of DIO’s work to support military capability. The project succeeded due to the close working relationship between DIO, Babcock International and DE&S who all focused on producing a quality product. It is because of that teamwork that this project was completed on time and on budget.”
A full structural survey of the hangar was carried out, which confirmed that even though it was nearly 90 years old, the structure was in near-perfect condition. A new aircraft tail dock extension was constructed at the southern end of the hangar and a new roof was installed. New high-level windows replaced the old and damaged windows, LED lights were installed and the hangar was decorated throughout.
New hardstands were required as the existing hardstands were not suitable or large enough to allow the new aircraft to access the new hangar.
The new mission support facility known as the New Annex, constructed in front of the hangar, is a sophisticated building which supports training and administration for 51 Squadron.
Group Captain Richard Barrow, Station Commander of RAF Waddington, said:
“The completion of the renovations to the home of 51 Squadron has seen the solid structure of the pre- WWII hangar be modernised throughout, and brought up to date to create environmental efficiency whilst working with this outstanding aircraft."
In addition to HRH The Earl of Wessex, the opening was attended by Air Commodore Jeff Portlock, Information, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force Commander; Group Captain Richard Barrow, RAF Waddington Station Commander; Wing Commander Tom Talbot, Commanding Officer of 51 Squadron, together with representatives from DIO and Babcock, including DIO Project Manager Dan Willmott.
Press enquiries to Helen Pickering, Assistant Communications Officer 0121 311 2413 or email helen.pickering101@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. Picture captions: HRH The Earl of Wessex greeting project staff during the official opening. [Crown Copyright/MOD2015]
Inside the renovated hangar. [Crown Copyright/MOD2015]
Outside the renovated hangar. [Crown Copyright/MOD2015]
The New Annex. [Crown Copyright/MOD2015]
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