AAC Netheravon

Netheravon was the first operational Army flying base in the UK (Upavon was opened earlier, but it was a training base) and many of the original buildings, although improved, are still standing. During WWI it was a centre for despatch of aircraft to France. The first British military rotary wing trials were undertaken here in 1933. In WWII it was a centre for airborne forces and glider training but was transferred after the war to RAF Transport Command. Flying ran down and the RAF Police used it as a training centre until 1960, when the airfield was closed.

As well as the School of Infantry's Support Weapons Wing (SWW) and the Parachute Training which remained, the new impetus given to Army flying by the creation of the Army Air Corps in 1957, 651 Squadron moved in during 1964 and expansion at Middle Wallop was concentrating on the need for training and the operational flying HQ moved to Netheravon in 1966.  7 Regt AAC HQ formed here in 1969, whilst 666 and 658 Squadrons moved here in 1986 and 1995 respectively. The SWW closed in 1995 and moved to Warminster.