Could its fortunes change so suddenly?

Just last month the outlook was bright for RAF Boulmer and its 700-plus personnel, as the station celebrated its 50th anniversary with a fly-past, having just had a multi-million-pound revamp.

But now there is concern as its future is in doubt.

The base is a frontline fighter control centre, at the cutting edge of military technology, with a key role in co-ordinating aircraft which protect the UK. In the past decade it has gained a School of Fighter Control and a comprehensive rebuilding of housing and messes.

As well as housing the school, Boulmer is also home to 202 Squadron, which operates search and rescue helicopters, and No 1 Air Command Centre, which is a mobile rapid-reaction radar unit.

It has long been primed to take in personnel from RAF Neatishead - also under review - and RAF Buchan in Scotland, already earmarked for closure.

Boulmer was due to pick up roles from both.

The expansion would increase personnel at the camp by up to 50pc by 2005, adding a further 220 to its ranks. About two-thirds could be expected to bring their families. The base and its 250 families already support a nursery school in Longhoughton.

Commanding officer Gp Capt Nick Gordon says the expansion is still to go ahead.

"These are very uncertain times, but I would certainly hope that Boulmer has a long and secure future," he said.

"I was somewhat surprised, having just gone through a multi-million-pound phase of new-build expansion at the camp, that we are being looked at by the review."

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