Troops to train at old RAF base

Flying squadrons had all left RAF St Mawgan by summer 2008

RAF St Mawgan near Newquay is to become a training centre of excellence for British soldiers, the head of operations at the base has said.

Base Commander Wing Cdr Paul Loader said it would offer a wide range of services including pre-deployment front-line training.

RAF St Mawgan was mothballed earlier this year when all flying operations were moved to other UK bases.

But Wing Cdr Loader confirmed the base had now been given "permanent status".

"It's been a very rough time, I think it's fair to say now we're at the end of any doubt in the future of the camp," he said.

Natural environment

Squadrons have been leaving RAF St Mawgan over the last five years. Its main purpose was training helicopter search and rescue crews.

The SAR squadron was moved to new facilities at RAF Valley in Wales.

But Wing Cdr Paul Loader confirmed the base would not close: "We've got permanent status now and we're in the stages of evolving that."

He added that RAF St Mawgan would probably see an increase in the number of people attending training courses.

Wing Cdr Loader said Cornwall was the perfect place to prepare troops for the front line.

He said: "We do have some fantastic natural environment to utilise, we've got the moors, we've got the coast and actually on the base here we do have some significant training areas."