Repatriations after RAF Lynham

Gentlemen, several of you have asked about arrangemnts that will come into effect once RAF Lynham closes in the near future. Here is the latest information I have received. I will of course keep you updated as far as I am able................................

“Brize Norton is a huge air base far busier than Lyneham. As a result, a new repatriation facility is being built on the far side of the air base, to allow a more personal experience and to prevent unnecessary impact on a fully operational air base, which will have double the occupants once Lyneham closes down.

As you can imagine there is more than one exit/entrance onto the base, in case of incidents etc. These are not manned all the time, imagine how much manpower it would take. The new repatriation centre is located close to one of these exits and means that on the day of a repatriation, families can arrive and depart without moving through the main part of the airbase.

The exit also leads straight onto a main road outside camp which means hearses do not have to transit through the camp over speed bumps etc, they can move straight onto a public highway and on to their next destination which is, sadly, the coroners in Oxford.

The road from the Crash Gate (as it is known) joins the roundabout which leads either to the main entrance for Brize Norton or to the main road. The exit/entrance being touted as "the back door" is actually about 300m from that roundabout.

Beyond that roundabout an area has been identified where the cortege can stop and members of the general public can pay a tribute a la Wootton .

.............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association