Baker Barracks

Baker Barracks is a British Army barracks located on Thorney Island around 6.58 miles (10.59 km) east from Portsmouth, Hampshire.

For former use, see RAF Thorney Island.

Baker Barracks
Thorney Island, West Sussex in England
Entrance to Baker Barracks
Baker Barracks
Shown within West Sussex
Coordinates50°49′14″N 000°55′34″W
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1984 (1984)
In use1984-Present
Garrison information
Occupants12th Regiment Royal Artillery
16th Regiment Royal Artillery

History

The barracks were established, on the site of the former RAF Thorney Island airbase, in 1986, when 26th Regiment Royal Artillery moved on site.[1] Named after Field Marshal Sir Geoffrey Baker, a former Royal Artillery officer, they have been home to 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, armed with the Starstreak missile, since 1989.[2] In January 2008, 12th Regiment Royal Artillery moved to the island upon their return from Germany.[3] In 2009, the airfield was used as a test track for a British-built steam car hoping to smash the longest standing land speed record. The British Steam Car Challenge team included test driver Don Wales, nephew of the late Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell.[4]

Based units

The following notable units are based at Baker Barracks.[5][6][7]

British Army

Role and operations

Baker Barracks is home to two Royal Artillery regiments operating in the ground based air-defence role, operating the Thales Starstreak and MBDA Rapier surface-to-air missile systems.[6][7]

As of 1 November 2018, there were 971 troops assigned to the regiments.[5]

References
  1. "26th Regiment RA". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  2. "47 Regt RA". Ministry of Defence - British Army. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  3. "12 Regt RA". Ministry of Defence - British Army. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  4. "British-built steam car unveiled". BBC News. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  5. Lancaster, Mark (29 November 2018). "Army:Written question - 194616". UK Parliament. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  6. "12th Regiment Royal Artillery". British Army. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  7. "16th Regiment Royal Artillery". British Army. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
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