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Hundreds of British troops are to move from Germany to Innsworth in Gloucestershire by 2010. Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) is to be relocated from Rhine Garrison to the former RAF camp. Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said the base was deemed to be best-suited for the move. "The site is being prepared to enable the necessary refurbishment and new building works to begin," the defence minister said. "We hope the local community will welcome them." HQ ARRC is one of NATO's front-line high-readiness headquarters. Civilian staff The Ministry of Defence is making provision for an estimated 600 families to move to the area and is working with the local authorities in Gloucestershire to prepare for their arrival. The base is currently home to civilian staff after hundreds of RAF personnel were moved elsewhere in March. Signal Brigade and 102 Logistics Brigade will also move to the UK. The preferred site is currently occupied by the Defence College for Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE) at Cosford in Shropshire. Detailed planning for these moves is ongoing. The move comes about as part of a rationalisation of defence bases in Germany which could see up to 3,600 troops moving back to the UK. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ |
