Wattisham Flying Station (RAF Wattisham (former))

Wattisham Flying Station, formerly RAF Wattisham, is a British Army installation located near the village of Wattisham in Suffolk, England. The 1,072-acre site was established in April 1939 and initially operated by the Royal Air Force. In 1942, the airfield was lent to the United States Army Air Forces. During the Cold War, Wattisham operated as a front-line RAF fighter airfield, maintaining aircraft on Quick Reaction Alert. The installation transitioned from RAF control to the British Army in 1992. Previously, the base hosted 'B' Flight, 22 Squadron RAF, operating Sea King helicopters for search and rescue duties until the service was privatized in 2015.

Operated by the Army Air Corps, the station houses the British Army's Apache attack helicopter force under the Joint Aviation Command's 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team. Stationed flying units include 3 Regiment (653, 662, and 663 Squadrons) and 4 Regiment (656 and 664 Squadrons), which operate Boeing AH64E Apache helicopters. 6 Regiment maintains its Headquarters and 677 Squadrons at the facility. No 1287 Squadron of the Air Training Corps is also resident. The Royal Air Force retains a detachment of survival equipment specialists on site to maintain gear for Apache aircrew.

The base's infrastructure supports the maintenance and operation of the Apache fleet. A dedicated helicopter repair facility is operated by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' 7 Aviation Support Battalion, which includes the HQ, 71, and 72 Aviation Companies. Supply and logistics for this facility are provided by the Royal Logistic Corps' 132 Aviation Support Squadron. The station accommodates approximately 2,000 troops.