Hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds of vital trade are under threat from a review of the future of the North-East's only RAF base.

RAF Boulmer, near Alnwick in Northumberland, is one of four stations being examined under the Ministry of Defence Strike Command review.

Military analysts are calling for Britain's armed forces to move towards a more expeditionary role in world affairs, diminishing the need for large static bases.

As the nation's centre for training fighter controllers, RAF Boulmer plays a crucial role in protecting UK airspace and policing the skies - and also provides vital air-sea rescue cover.

Three villages - Longhoughton, Lesbury and the fishing community of Boulmer - are closely tied to the station, particularly Longhoughton, which is home to a significant number of servicemen and women.

But in a letter to Alnwick District Council seen by The Journal, London MoD officials say they are looking into the future requirement for air combat support and fighter control units at Boulmer, RAF Neatishead in Norfolk, RAF Sealand on Deeside and RAF Stafford in the Midlands.

The letter warns: "It may be that not all four units will be required and the study may recommend the disposal of all or parts of one or more sites."

Community leaders expressed dismay at the prospect of losing a station which employs 700 military personnel, more than 200 civilian staff and contributes more than £4m a year to the local economy. Members of the rescue service said lives would be lost without the base's helicopter cover.

Boulmer's commanding officer Gp Capt Nick Gordon expressed his concern over the uncertainty now surrounding his 700 personnel.

"Certainly, if Boulmer were to close, the MoD would have to look very seriously at where to re-base its personnel, including 202 Squadron and its search and rescue role along the North-East coast and inland hills.

"That's something that would have to be factored into any study and considered very seriously indeed."

Berwick MP Alan Beith said he expected ministers to consider seriously the role played by the station before making any decisions. "This station has enjoyed tremendous community support for decades and the significance of its loss to the local economy would be huge," he said.

Alnwick councillor Gordon Castle, a former RAF officer, said: "This would be a catastrophe for the district as a whole. Boulmer employs more than 200 civilian staff and is estimated to bring in more than £4m a year to the local economy.

"We can't stand to lose that kind of big employer in this area. Even if it were to be scaled down, it would have a major effect on what little economic prospects North Northumberland has at present. Schools which are already short of pupils would suffer, as well as businesses and the community at large."

'If we lose vital rescue helicopters, people could die'

Lifeboat volunteers who rely on RAF Boulmer's helicopters greeted news of the review with concern, saying lives could be put at risk.

Last year the station's Sea Kings responded to 155 emergency calls; this year there have already been 151.

The aircrews also work with Northumberland National Park's search and rescue teams and have assisted in rescues in the Lake District, Scottish Highlands and Grampians.

Ian Clayton, who serves with Seahouses lifeboat, said if it hadn't been for the 202 crew, many incidents would have been tragedies instead. "Particularly in the last few months we have seen the aircrew from Boulmer involved in a great many high-speed rescues.

"In recent cases where divers have suffered from the bends, the helicopter has been instrumental in getting the casualties to the decompression chambers at Aberdeen and Hull. By land or sea that would have been impossible."

Less than a fortnight ago, a holidaying family had to be plucked from the roof of their car by a Boulmer Sea King, after being caught by the tide on Holy Island causeway.

Mr Clayton said: "We would view the loss of air cover from Boulmer as very serious indeed, because people could die as a result."

Page 2: Could its fortunes change so suddenly?