Wattisham Airfield has had a long and distinguished history. First opening in April 1939, the airfield was used by the RAF before being lent to the
United States Army Air Forces in 1942. After the
Second World War, Wattisham became one of the
UK's front-line air force fighter airfields during the
Cold War, with aircraft on
Quick Reaction Alert on a rotational basis with other UK fighter stations. Wattisham used to house 'B' Flight,
22 Squadron Royal Air Force with its
search and rescue (SAR)
Sea King helicopters, until the privatisation of SAR provision in 2015, which led to 22 Squadron standing down. The closest SAR base under the new
Bristow Helicopters contract is
Lydd Airport in Kent. As of 1 November 2018, there were 852 personnel assigned to 3 and 4 Regiments and 429 to 7 Aviation Support Battalion. Apart from the military, the Anglia Gliding Club also operates from the airfield. (making it the oldest serving member of Wattisham, having been there as a
RAFGSA club when the RAF occupied). Also resident is No 1287 Sqn,
Air Training Corps. There is a museum on site which tells the history of the airfield and this is open on Sundays during April to October. ==Operational units==