Monument record 0950901001 - Strike Command

By the 1970s the original Bomber Command bunker was becoming too small to host modern communications and information systems, and was inadequate to give protection against coventional bombs, let alone nuclear, biological or chemical threats that exitsed during the Cold War. In 1979 it was decided to build a completely new facility, designed to withstand large shock loads and to poerate 'closed down' for several weeks. This new Strike Command Operations Centre colloquially known as 'The Bunker' is situated on land leased from the National Trust and within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and considerable care was taken to replace natural flora and to continue existing hedgerows over the completed earth covered site. Work was started on the site in May 1982 using a temporary access road through Park Wood from the widened A4010 north of Bradenham village. After fitting out, the Bunker was eventually occupied by the RAF in January 1989 (B1).