Archived: RAF/USAF Bentwaters Cambridgeshire July 09

Visited this place on mine and Tankmans 'Cold War Day'

A brief history of the base from use with the RAF:
RAF Bentwaters is a former Royal Air Force station about 80 miles NE of London, 10 miles ENE of Ipswich, near Woodbridge, Suffolk in England. The name was taken from two cottages (‘Bentwaters Cottages’) that had stood on the site of the main runway during its construction in 1943.

It was used by the RAF during World War II, and by the United States Air Force during the Cold War, being the primary home for the 81st Fighter Wing under various designations from 1951 to 1993. For many years the 81st Fighter Wing also operated RAF Woodbridge, with Bentwaters and Woodbridge being known as the "Twin Bases".

USAF history:
Control of Bentwaters was transferred to the United States Air Force on 16 March 1951 by the Ministry of Defence, and the United States Air Forces in Europe designated it a primary installation of HQ USAFE on 7 September 1951. Bentwaters was to play a key role in the defense of Western Europe during the Cold War when large numbers of USAF aircraft were assigned as part of the air arm of NATO.

On 16 March 1951, the USAF 7506th Air Support Group was assigned to Bentwaters. The 7506th's mission was to bring the facility up to NATO standards. During most of 1951 and 1952 USAF construction upgraded the operational facilities, as well as the construction of support facilities.

More information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Bentwaters

Part of the base is now a Cold war mueseum and is open 2 days every month to the public, so me and Tankman had a look.

Some pics:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3221.jpg

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3222.jpg

Local Rapier missile system, along with search & radar equipment that use to protect the base

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3223.jpg

Outide of the bunker

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3225.jpg

Main corridor

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3228.jpg

Decontamination room

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3230.jpg

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3231.jpg

Comms room

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3238.jpg

Room with brief history about what the Cold war is

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3243.jpg

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3244.jpg

Information about the famous 'UFO' insident at Rendlesham Forest

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3245.jpg

They descend to us:lol:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3248.jpg

Fuel tanker that looks like Missile

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3287.jpg

Main battle room, also known as 'the pit', fenced off by a glass window because of flamin Health and Safety:thumbd

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3304.jpg

Close up of one of the operation boards they have above

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3316.jpg

Outside we spotted this that looks like a fuel area but could not get a good look as security were everywere

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3321.jpg

Other building in the area with ' You are not forgotten':confused:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/h...t/101_3258.jpg

Thanks for looking:thumb