Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors

Oct 31 - Fairford

12 Jan 2003 : Fairford - GWI Use Bicycles To Inspect Base

On Sunday 12th January 2003 a small group of dedicated weapons inspectors, unable to obtain UN helicopters, instead used bicycles to inspect USAF Fairford. Gloucestershire constabulary and other on base police spent a fun afternoon tracking us. We took along a packet of biscuits and shared them with chilly police people to show we were friendly.

In particular we were searching for the new portable B-2 maintenance shelters. These large 'portable' structures made by American Spaceframe Fabricator Inc are due to be erected in Fairford any time now. Two have been assembled in Deigo Garcia according to Global Security and Stars and Stripes magazine (13 Jan 03) states "The Air Force has said it also wants to forward-deploy B-2s to a second location, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England". The shelters are necessary for long term forward deployment, their appearance at Fairford will make it a home from home for the B-2s. As of 12th January there was no sign of these shelters being built. As far as we know (12th Jan) there was still no official request to use the base for attacking Iraq. However given the scale of the build-up in the Gulf it is inconceivable Fairford would not be used. Most military analysts anticipate an intensive bombing campaign lasting a few weeks before the ground troops move in.

On Jan 12th there were 3 U2 spy planes in Fairford possibly on their way to help weapons inspections (or the most cynical might think spy on possible bombing targets) in Iraq.

Fairford Airbase Map
The fence is 8 foot high chain-link with barbed wire on top. Much of it can be illuminated at night. (15/3) Recent additions include razor wire along much of the top of the fence and inner fence around 15 metres back and a double height roll of razor wire in between. This goes much, but not all, of the way arou the base. It is being modified continually.

There are numerous entrances marked as crash gates and for use in emergencies. The police ask that anyone visiting the base is careful not to block these entrances. Some of these are also used for access for builders - for example gate 8. Positions of gates are shown on the map and pictures of them shown below.

Notes on NVDA for 26th Jan: Any NVDA is to be conducted as independent action - we do not have resource, nor are we proposing a mass NVDA at this event. If you wish to take direct action we suggest you link up with an experienced group before the event who can provide support and training. Here is a short legal briefing for RAF Fairford prepared by Lindis Percy at CAAB. Please contact CAAB if you have questions relating to this document - it is posted here for information only.

	Sign at the main gate - Horcott Road, Fairford. CLICK A PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
View of main gate - the entrance area where we've conducted protests on 31st Oct 02 and 14 Dec 02. ==>
	<== Outside gate 6 - just south-east for the main gate, further along Horcott Road. The start of a good section of fence for decorating.
View of the first really good section of fence for decorating. ==> It continues a few hundred metres to the picture below.
	<== A little further along Horcott Road is the site of an earlier peace camp. It's a wider piece of road verge. Since the last camp (sorry don't know dates, let us know if you do) there has been a ditch dug here to prevent vehicle access.
Next section of fence is in private fields and some distance from the road. After that it's even less accessible as it skirts the back of properties in Whelford village. ==>
	<== Back on the main road at gate 6a. This is the eastern end of the main runway, which is over 2 miles long.
There is a very long section of fence, with a grass verge a few metres wide, near the road along the south east edge of the base. ==> Across the road is a further facility that may be part of the munitions store for the base.
	<== Another view of the south east fence, looking north west into the base.
Gate 8 is used for regular maintenance work and builders access. ==>
	<== We got our hopes up when we thought Alfred might be friendly and let us in but it was Sunday and no-one was in the office.
Gate 9 with harmful substances signs on it. Not the chemical weapons store surely? (we suspect not) ==>
	<== Gate 10 showing more fences heading west.
Gate 12 at the far western end of the runway. ==>
	<== Runway lights extending into the field west of the end of the runway.
Another section of fence west of gate 13 in farm fields. ==>
	<== Gate 13 and the ever present police car on the inside.