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Greenham Common Cold War decontamination suite tour fully booked in 24 hours

By Trish Lee
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trish.lee@newburynews.co.uk
Published: 06:59, 06 September 2024
 | Updated: 07:20, 06 September 2024

THERE’S a rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Suite that formed part of the Cold War US Airbase at Greenham Common at the Heritage Open Day next Sunday (September 15) , with kind permission of the Greenham Trust.

Preview piece for Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. Gas mask and protective clothing. Pic: Rob Carpenter GL
Preview piece for Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. Gas mask and protective clothing. Pic: Rob Carpenter GL

Guided tours explaining the history of the building are taking place through the facility between 11am and 4pm. All tickets were taken within 24 hours of release, but there is a waiting list.

In the past, as so many want to find out what it was like inside the suite, large queues have built up, so this year the event is ticketed in timed slots to provide a better experience than having larger groups and foreshorten tours.

Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. The large machine room. GL
Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. The large machine room. GL
Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. Exterior view of the decontamination centre. GL Pic: Rob Carpenter
Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. Exterior view of the decontamination centre. GL Pic: Rob Carpenter

Greenham Common was active as a US Army Air Force and US Air Force airfield for various periods from the Second World War onwards, most famously during the Cold War. Between 1982 - 1991, it was home to the US Air Force 501st Tactical Missile Wing and operated 96 cruise missiles. It was the site for the famous Greenham women's peace protests.

Few buildings remain from this period. Greenham Control Tower is the only building now open to the public as a visitor centre.

The charity that runs Greenham Control Tower has arranged special permission to open the decontamination suite within building 274 to the public as part of Heritage Open Days. This section of building 274 is attached to what was the command centre for the 501st Tactical Missile Wing. Parts of the building have walls of blast-proof steel-reinforced concrete and solid blast-proof doors.

Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. The central control desk, where communication with all areas could be achieved, and chemical levels monitored, and doors locked and unlocked. GL Pic: Rob Carpenter
Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. The central control desk, where communication with all areas could be achieved, and chemical levels monitored, and doors locked and unlocked. GL Pic: Rob Carpenter
Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. Chemical detector paper. GL
Heritage Weekend - The Decontamination area - A rare opportunity to gain access to the Decontamination Area within Building 274, which was 501st Tactical Missile Wing’s headquarters and command post on Greenham Air Base during the Cold War. Chemical detector paper. GL

The purpose of the decontamination section would have been to cleanse personnel of nerve agents in the event of a chemical attack. Part of building 274 was designed as a hardened area to be self-sufficient in air, water and sanitation if a complete shut-down of the base occurred following an enemy attack.

As well as tours of this facility there will be associated events during the weekend arranged by Greenham Control Tower. visit www.greenhamtower.org.uk

There is no charge for the tour, but visitors must register for tickets in advance on EventBrite

Heritage Open Days 2024: September 6-15

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/about-us.html

Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

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