Rock Barracks is the flagship barracks of the Army's Single Living Accommodation Modernisation (SLAM) project, and was completed on time and on budget at a cost of around £80 million. It will provide single en-suite accommodation for all the Regiment's 600 personnel when the barracks is fully manned by the end of July 2006.
Rock Barracks, named after the Royal Engineer founder of Airborne Forces, Major John Rock RE, was built on a former United States Air Force Base and incorporates the latest in accommodation design.
The Barracks are well facilitated for sport and include three full sized sports pitches, an all weather floodlit Astroturf pitch, a climbing wall, assault course, 30m rifle range and a gym containing squash courts, weights and cardio vascular suites.
"Rock Barracks is one of the finest barracks I have seen. The facilities we have here are first class."
Lieutenant Colonel Mick Berrill, Regimental Quartermaster
Until now 23 Engineer Regiment, which has four squadrons, has been split across four ageing sites: 9 Parachute Squadron RE were in Aldershot, 51 Parachute Squadron RE were in Ripon, North Yorkshire, 12 (Nova Scotia) Headquarters Squadron (Air Assault) were in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, and 61 Field Support Squadron (Air Assault) were in Maidstone, Kent.
L-R: Army chef Lance Corporal Henry RLC, and Private Moggridge RLC, of 12 Squadron, 23 Engineer Regiment, prepare the lunch-time meals in the main kitchen at Rock's Barracks
[Picture: Cpl A L Belgrave RLC]
The Regimental Quartermaster, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Berrill, who has been overseeing the take-over and move of the Regiment to the new barracks, said:
"Rock Barracks is one of the finest barracks I have seen. The facilities we have here are first class."
During the period 10-14 July 2006, it will be the turn of 61 Field Support Squadron (Air Assault), to move into Woodbridge. Major Richard Green, Officer Commanding, 61 Field Support Squadron (Air Assault), said:
"The men are very much looking forward to benefiting from the superb facilities and the new style accommodation, which will be a significant improvement on current conditions."
Currently there are around 160 soldiers from 23 Engineer Regiment serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan who will return later in 2006 to take up residence at their new home.