THE future of helicopter base RAF Benson near Wallingford is expected to be finalised today.

The base’s future has been under review for a number of years, but an announcement last year that 600 staff from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland would transfer to RAF Benson suggested its future was safe.

Personnel from RAF Aldergrove near Belfast will move to RAF Benson at the end of the year.

Nikki Hamilton, a spokesman for RAF Benson, said: “Staff here are waiting for an announcement today, which is expected to be made in Parliament.”

Station commander Gp Capt Jonathan Burr said: “If it is decided that RAF Benson will remain operational and has a long-term future as the base for the Puma and Merlin support helicopters, I will be very keen to see some significant investment in the ageing estate.”

There are 1,700 RAF personnel at Benson and with their families there are 3,200 people living at the base.

RAF Benson is a major component of the Joint Helicopter Command, housing 33 Squadron with Pumas and 28(AC) and 78 Squadrons flying Merlins.

Also at Benson is 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which provides support to the helicopter unit.

Last month, hundreds of people lined the streets of Wallingford to watch about 130 staff from RAF Benson march through the town to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the airbase.

RAF Benson was granted the freedom of the borough in 1957, but it was first time personnel had exercised the right to parade through the town for more than eight years.

Work began on RAF Benson in 1937, and the first aircraft to arrive were two squadrons of Fairey Battle light bombers on April 3, 1939.