Nesscliffe Training Area

Last updated

Nesscliffe Training Area
Nesscliffe, Shropshire
Military training area near Shrawardine - geograph.org.uk - 464750.jpg
Part of the Nesscliffe training area
Site information
TypeTraining area
Owner Ministry of Defence
OperatorFlag of the British Army.svg  British Army
Location
Shropshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Nesscliffe Training Area
Location within Shropshire
Coordinates 52°46′12″N2°56′34″W / 52.76987°N 2.94283°W / 52.76987; -2.94283
Site history
Built1961
Built for War Office
In use1961-Present
Airfield information
Helipads
NumberLength and surface
123 metres (75 ft) Concrete
223 metres (75 ft) Concrete
323 metres (75 ft) Concrete
423 metres (75 ft) Concrete
523 metres (75 ft) Concrete

The Nesscliffe Training Area is a military training facility located near Nesscliffe in Shropshire.

History

The training area is located on and around the former Central Ammunition Depot at Nesscliffe. [1] The CAD was fed from the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway which ran through the camp and the training area. The railway was taken over by the War Department in 1940. [2]

Since 1961, the 1,681 acres (680 ha) of flat pastureland form the British Army's Nesscliffe training area (NTA), capable of accommodation up to 530 personnel. [3] The bunkers once used to house ammunition are still used as of 2014 in training exercises. As well as Regular and Reserve troops, Nesscliffe is used extensively by local CCF and ACF units.

The NTA is also used constantly through the year by helicopters from the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury for training pilots and crew. [4]

Despite the name of the nearby village, officials at the Ministry of Defence spell the camp and training area Nesscliff. [5] [6]

References

  1. "Shropshire Military Camps". Shropshire History. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  2. "The Defence Training Estate". gov.uk. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. "Nesscliff Training Area". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  4. "Nesscliffe Operations" . Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  5. "The defence training estate". GOV.UK.
  6. "240" (Map). Map of Oswestry, Chirk, Ellesmere & Pant. 1:25,000. Explorer. Ordnance Survey. 2015. ISBN   9780319244333.