§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States air national guard A-7 aircraft to RAF Wittering in June 1988.
§ Mr. Ian StewartTwelve United States air force (USAF) A7 aircraft deployed to RAF Wittering during the period 4 to 8 June for exercise Coronet King. This formed part of an annual programme of short-term deployments designed to provide experience for USAF reservist aircrew of locations in which they might have to operate in time of war. During this deployment, the aircrew took part in exercises in the United Kingdom and in continental Europe.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States-based United States Air Force A-10 aircraft to RAF Woodbridge in June 1988 in exercise Coronet Spear;
(2) if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States Air Force F-111 and EF-111 aircraft to Boscombe Down in July.
(3) if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States marine corps AV-8 aircraft to Edinburgh airport in September.
§ Mr. Ian StewartNo such deployments are planned.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States Air Force reserve C-130 aircraft to RAF Benson in September;
260W(2) if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States marine corps F-18 aircraft to Edinburgh airport in September.
§ Mr. Ian StewartPlanning for these deployments is not yet complete. Appropriate notifications will be issued in due course.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the planned deployment of United States Air Force B-52 aircraft to RAE Marham in June;
(2) what facilities have been established at RAF Marham for support of United States Air Force B-2 aircraft.
§ Mr. Ian StewartFurther to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 13 June at columns70–71, the main purpose of the deployment of these aircraft, which was at the invitation of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, was to participate in an exercise involving conventional missile attack upon a target hulk. This took place successfully on 21 June. The aircraft made use of existing facilities.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the withdrawal of six F-111F aircraft and supporting personnel from the 48 Tactical Fighter Wing. announced by the United States Air Force in February 1986 will take place.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThis routine redeployment took place during the first half of 1987.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the cost to Her Majesty's Government of the movement of two United States Air Force A-10 squadrons from RAF Bentwaters to RAF Alconbury; and if any of this cost will he reimbursed;
(2) what is the cost to her Majesty's Government of the movement of the United States Air Force 527th Aggressor squadron from RAF Alconbury to RAF Bentwaters; and if any of this cost will be reimbursed.
§ Mr. Ian StewartNo such costs are currently foreseen.