FEARS for the future of one of the region's major military bases have finally been quashed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
After a review lasting more than two years, the threat of the axe has been lifted from Dishforth Airfield near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
The disposal or change of use of the helicopter base would lead to costs which would outweigh any efficiency savings, the investigation has concluded. The base will continue to be the operational base for 9 Regiment Army Air Corps for the foreseeable future.
The MoD's Joint Helicopter Command has been carrying out a wide ranging review of where its aircraft are based since it was formed more than two years ago.
Defence Minister Adam Ingram made his announcement about the base in a letter to the Vale of York's Tory MP Anne McIntosh, who has been campaigning over its future.
The base is undergoing a £10m-plus upgrade ahead of being equipped with multi-million pound Apache attack helicopters next year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article