527th aggressor squadron alconbury weald

When Bears Roamed Suffolk

Graham Haynes remembers more active times in the Suffolk countryside

The arrival of the first 'Aggressor' General Dynamics FC Fighting Falcons at RAF Bentwaters on 14 June added a new dimension to the role of the Suffolk base.

Assigned to the th Aggressor Squadron, the FCs were to play the role of the 'bad guys' during air combat manoeuvring (ACM) training against fighters belonging to many of NATO's air forces. This had the prospect of being an interesting period for any avid aircraft 'spotter' as many of the aircraft participating in training with the 'Aggressors' would be based at Bentwaters for the duration of their respective courses.

Sadly this was only to be the case for some eighteen months before the unit was deactivated and its Fs transferred to other USAFE squadrons. Despite this, Bentwaters played host to numerous aircraft types from several NATO countries for this short period making the 'Aggressor' FCs very welcome residents at the b