Letter to the Chairman from the Secretary
of State for Defence on Joint Force 2000
You may recall that during the Defence Debate
in October last year I announced the formation of a new Headquarters,
within RAF Strike Command but under the command of a RN Rear Admiral,
which would be responsible for the new Joint Force 2000 (JF2000).
This was proposed as one of several "jointery" initiatives
in the Strategic Defence Review. In answer to a Parliamentary
Question I am making a further announcement today about the future
of the force. My purpose in writing to you is to explain our proposals
in more detail.
JF2000 is a joint initiative between the Royal
Navy and the Royal Air Force. It aims to build on the considerable
success in operating both Navy Sea Harrier FA2s and RAF Harrier
GR7s in joint carrier air groups with the ultimate objective of
a force using a common aircraft type able to operate with equal
effectiveness from both land and sea. It will form a truly joint,
flexible and deployable force ideally suited to the demands of
the new strategic environment. Excellent progress is being made
with the creation of JF2000. Indeed, as I am also announcing today,
it will become operational significantly earlier than originally
anticipated.
Rear Admiral Ian Henderson, currently Flag Officer
Naval Aviation, will be its two-star Group Commander. He will
be based at Headquarters Strike Command at RAF High Wycombe, where
he will also have responsibility for the RAF's existing Nimrod
Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Search and Rescue forces. JF2000
will be commanded by Air Commodore McKay, who will also be based
at RAF High Wycombe.
Initially, the RN Squadrons will continue to
be based at RNAS Yeovilton and, from April 1999 following withdrawal
from Laarbruch in Germany, the RAF Squadrons will be based at
RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering. After JF2000 forms on 1 April
2000 we propose that, subject to consultation with Trades Unions
and other interested parties, the RN Sea Harrier Squadrons will
join the RAF Harrier Squadrons at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering
in 2003. This will involve moving the two front line units, Nos
800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons, to RAF Cottesmore and the training
unit, No 899 Naval Air Squadron, to RAF Wittering where it will
form a Joint Operational Conversion Unit with the RAF's No 20(R)
Squadron. While not wishing to underplay the challenges such moves
can cause, early collocation of the two Harrier types is an essential
first step in achieving our goal of a truly joint Force using
a common airframe. Basing a force of this size is only practicable
at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering where the two stations are
close enough to be operated as a single unit. This also ties in
with our judgement that RAF Cottesmore is the best long term location
for the common aircraft type.
The proposal will involve the transfer of about
513 RN personnel, 16 civilian posts and 60 contractor posts from
RNAS Yeovilton to the two RAF stations. A further 34 civilian
posts will be created at both stations. RAF Cottesmore and RAF
Wittering currently have a combined aircraft establishment of
64, which will reduce to 53 when the Tri-National Tornado Training
Establishment (TTTE) disbands and the Harriers relocate from RAF
Laarbruch. The JF2000's aircraft establishment is presently planned
to be 81.
I should stress that this proposal has no effect
on the ongoing transfer to RNAS Yeovilton of the helicopter squadrons
from Portland, which will have a positive impact on the local
economy. Furthermore, there is no threat to RNAS Yeovilton's long-term
future and I can assure you that we will wish to make the best
use of the significant recent investment in new facilities at
the station. We are considering a number of alternative uses for
the accommodation and facilities which would be available if the
Sea Harriers relocate.
I attach a copy of the Consultative Document[9]
which sets out the rationale behind today's announcement. No final
decisions will be taken until the process of consultation is complete
and all interested parties have had the opportunity to state their
views on our proposals.
I am writing along similar lines to John Maples,
Margaret Ewing and Menzies Campbell. I have also written, explaining
the local and regional impact in more detail, to Paddy Ashdown,
David Heath, Sir Brian Mawhinney and Alan Duncan, who are the
constituency MPs most affected by this announcement.
23 February 1999
9 Not printed. Back
| 
