Nesscliffe Training Area

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

Nesscliffe Training Area
Nesscliffe, Shropshire
Part of the Nesscliffe training area
Nesscliffe Training Area is located in Shropshire
Nesscliffe Training Area
Nesscliffe Training Area
Location within Shropshire
Coordinates52.76987°N 2.94283°W / 52.76987; -2.94283
TypeTraining area
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1961
Built forWar Office
In use1961-Present
Airfield information
Helipads
Number Length and surface
1 23 metres (75 ft) Concrete
2 23 metres (75 ft) Concrete
3 23 metres (75 ft) Concrete
4 23 metres (75 ft) Concrete
5 23 metres (75 ft) Concrete

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.
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