RAF Brampton’s 67-year tie with the air force ends

RAF BRAMPTON’S 67-year history as a Royal Air Force base has drawn to a close after the site was renamed and the RAF flag lowered.

On Monday, April 2, the site was renamed the Brampton Camp as part of the continual downgrading of the base that will eventually see it closed and handed over to a developer.

The occasion, which was marked by a fly-past by three Grob Tutors from 57 (Reserve) Squadron, also saw a change in command of RAF Wyton and Brampton Camp as the bases become part of the Joint Forces Command – RAF Wyton is being turned into an intelligence hub for the British armed forces.

New station commander Wing Commander Mike Brown said: “It is sobering to respect the lowering of the RAF Ensign over Wyton and Brampton for the last time, given the long and distinguished histories of both stations.

“However, it also marks the start of a bright future under the newly formed Joint Forces Command.”

The RAF took control Brampton after the American Air Force withdrew following the end of World War Two. But it is now surplus to requirements as the intelligence hub will be formed entirely at RAF Wyton. In the next two years RAF Wyton will be home to the RAF’s geospatial intelligence community, the Intelligence Collection Group (ICG), the Joint Aerospatial and Geospatial Organisation (JAGO), and the 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic).

Staff in the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC) will relocate from Brampton to Wyton by the end of the year.

RAF Wyton will keep its RAF status as there are currently flying operations at the base.