The future of RAF Linton On Ouse was discussed in the Houses Of Parliament today during a question raised by the local MP Kevin Hollinrake and at the moment "no long term military requirement has been identified for the airfield" as set out by the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace ;
I am deeply saddened that efforts to find a last minute reprieve for RAF Linton on Ouse have failed. I have held a number of meetings with the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace and senior Defence staff to try to explore other military options for the site. However, in response to my question about its future in the House of Commons, the Defence Secretary said “We did look at exploring other military uses for the base. At the moment no long term military requirements have been identified. Therefore we are completing final assessments, with disposal details being announced in due course.”
I am very disappointed. I had had a number of discussions about how the site could be used. Local people are rightly proud of the role RAF Linton on Ouse has played in the defence of the realm since the end of the second world war until recently. During World War 2 its planes, pilots and air crew took off for highly dangerous long-distance bombing raids on Germany, Norway and other Axis military bases in Europe. I will continue to work with the local authority to try to find alternative employment for those who are still looking for work.
RAF Linton on Ouse has been situated in the Hambleton village for 80 years, opening in 1937 as a bomber airfield. Fast jet training, which had been conducted at Linton on Ouse has already been transferred to RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales.
The MP's question to the Minister appears on his Facebook page , link here ;
https://www.facebook.com/kevin.hollinrake .