Hansard

United States Forces

Volume 111: debated on Thursday 26 February 1987

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Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military installations used by United States forces in the United Kingdom at which there is no Royal Air Force station commander.

Mr. Stanley

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987]: There is an RAF station commander responsible for every military installation made available to the United States forces in this country with the exception of the Holy Loch, which falls within the sea area controlled by Commodore Clyde, and the NATO armament depots at Glen Douglas and Broughton Moor.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the functions of the Royal Air Force station commanders at United States bases in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Stanley

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987]: The primary duties of the RAF station commander and liaison officer at an RAF station made available to the United States forces are as follows:

  • a. The RAF commander is the senior RAF representative at the station and has the status, powers and responsibilities of a commanding officer under Queen's regulations for the Royal Air Force in respect of all RAF personnel and in respect of civilians except members of the Ministry of Defence police.
  • b. The RAF commander advises the United States commander on all RAF matters and maintains close liaison with all British authorities, including local government, Service and civilian authorities and with local residents generally. He also maintains regular contact with the senior RAF liaison officer at HQ Third Air Force.
  • c. The RAF commander attends United States staff meetings and keeps himself informed of any major changes in the base task or organisation as well as major building programmes and future building plans. He makes arrangements where necessary for the transfer or demolition of surplus RAF buildings, convening and presiding over siting and takeover boards.
  • d. The RAF commander is responsible for authorising the use and control of buildings housing hazardous substances. He advises the United States commander on RAF regulations governing the handling, storage and transportation of explosives within the United Kingdom.
  • e. The RAF commander provides guidance and all possible assistance to the community relations adviser and resolves with the United States commander any difficulties that the community relations adviser may encounter. He is responsible for receiving, investigating and replying to all complaints from British civilian sources.
  • f. The RAF commander is responsible for seeking security assistance if required at the station and ensuring that measures to secure the station are closely coordinated with the United States commander.
  • g. Where the United States commander is responsible for subsidiary stations, the authority and responsibility of the RAF commander at the station extend to those stations.