Ascension : CHANGE OF NAME FOR RAF ASCENSION ISLAND
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 01.04.2004 (Article Archived on 15.04.2004)

From 1 April 2004 there will no longer be an RAF base on Ascension Island.

From 1 April 2004 there will no longer be an RAF base on Ascension Island.  This is not an April fool but don’t worry, the Base is not closing.  Command of RAF Ascension Island will be transferring from Headquarters Strike Command, based at RAF High Wycombe, to the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ).  PJHQ operates out of Northwood in London.  RAF Ascension Island will then be known as Ascension Island Base.  This may cause a little confusion with “the Base” i.e. the US Base.

The change is for the better, as no so long ago the RAF station here was faced with closure.  The transfer to PJHQ has helped secure our future here.  The casual observer may not notice much change from the outside but there will some internal changes for us to implement.  The change will not affect the Tri-Star (A330) schedule to the UK and the Falkland Islands.

M Pattinson

Station Commander