Forces RAF Cottesmore Community Information Portal

RAF Cottesmore

RAF Cottesmore became a satellite of RAF Wittering on April 1, 2011. It is due for final closure in 2012. The Harrier jump jets, of which two squadrons were based at RAF Cottesmore, were grounded in December 2010 after they were scrapped during the Government’s strategic defence review.

RAF Cottesmore was the core component of Joint Force Harrier, and is also home to 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force and to the following lodger units:  Harrier Aircraft Engineering and Investigation Team, regional Non Destructive Testing Team, Triservice Regional Resettlement Centre and The Defence Housing Area 20 HQ.

Cottesmore is located in Rutland, the smallest county in England, measuring only 16 miles by 16 miles, and situated at the heart of the UK, between Leicester and Peterborough. The county has 2 historic market towns, Oakham and Uppingham. Oakham is the nearest town, packed full of historic buildings, interesting landmarks and stylish shops.

Unit facilities include: gymnasium, hairdressers, bowling alley, Spar shop, coffee shop, thrift shop, primary school, nursery school, community centre, families club, church, Junior Ranks' bar & night club, golf course, laundrette, youth club, resettlement centre, sports fields, kart racing t-rack. For further information on any of the above please contact the HIVE.






The information on this site has been compiled from various sources accessible on the internet:  acknowledgements are due to MOD Website,  RAF Website,  HIVE website, & Wikipedia. 
The site is intended to be an impartial and useful source of information about the Forces Base and surrounding area for members of HM Armed Forces, their families and civilians working on the Base. There should be nothing of a sensitive nature as everything here is readily available on the internet.  If you spot anything that is out of date or just plain wrong, please contact us.