RAF Lyneham officially closes after MoD review

A military airbase in Wiltshire has shut prior to its conversion into a defence training centre.

The MoD made the decision to close RAF Lyneham in 2002 as part of a strategic review of military bases.

Last year, the Hercules transporter planes were moved to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire along with many of the 4,500 military and civilian personnel.

A ceremony to mark the closure of the unit as an RAF station took place earlier in December.

Squadron Leader Rob Connolley said the event was an opportunity to thank the local community for their involvement in the unit,

He said: "It was nice to hear their word of thanks for all the RAF has contributed to the community over the years as well."

The Defence Technical Training College will comprise three main training schools: electronic and mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, and communications and information systems.

Training in maintaining machinery and military equipment which currently takes place at Bordon, in Hampshire, and Arborfield, in Berkshire, will be transferred to the new college.

Construction is due to start in early 2014 and be completed by December 2015.