Current Use
On 6 June 1982 614 VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron) moved to MDPGA Wethersfield from RAF Debden, as that base was required for tank training. The squadron currently operates Grob G-103 Acro Viking TX.1 gliders, maintaining a fleet of between six and eleven gliders. The squadron's headquarters is located in one of the two remaining T2 hangers. The gliders are used to provide members of the Air Training Corps with gliding experience, plus qualifications such as gliding scholarships and advanced glider training are available. In addition to the G-103s, the squadron operates four Land Rover Defenders, a Lamborghini tractor, and two Van Gelder six drum trailer type winches. The squadron consists of 40 to 60 personnel who annually conduct around 6,000 launches, producing more than 800 hours of air time.
In April 1991 the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) assumed responsibility for the base. A small joint civilian-uniformed team organised the relocation of the Ministry of Defence Police Training School and Firearms Training Wing from Medmenham, Buckinghamshire, and the headquarters from Earl's Court in London.
The Operational Support Unit moved to Wethersfield from RAF Wittering and has been permanently based there since May 1992. In addition, Wethersfield was to be the home for the MOD Guard Service (MGS) Training School. The move in October 1994 of the MDP training and headquarters, along with the MGS Training Wing, gave the Force its first combined HQ and Training Centre.
Gardiner Associates, a fire investigation training provider, began providing residential fire investigation training courses for police fire and forensic science practitioners at MDP Wethersfield in 2000. Millbrook Engineering uses Wethersfield as its "Extreme Manoeuvre Facility", which they describe as a "high security location for extreme dynamics evaluation and driver training with the world's largest on and off-road vehicles."
All three wartime-era runways and connecting taxiways, as well as many wartime loop-type dispersal hardstands, remain in good condition. The post-war jet runway laid down for USAF fighters during the 1950s and 1960s is still intact. The large main hangar, used by the USAF until the facility was closed, is well maintained, as are numerous buildings and Nissen huts used by the MOD police.
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