Oxfordshire has a large military presence with more than 8,200 military personnel and almost 5,000 family members living and working in the county. Two-thirds of these are members of the RAF. They are stationed at:

1. Bicester Garrison
2. RAF Brize Norton
3. Abingdon Station
4. Shrivenham Station
5. Vauxhall Barracks
6. RAF Benson

Planned changes

In order to remain effective, the military is adapting to new economic and political challenges.

The biggest military changes in the county will be at Brize Norton, which is the biggest RAF station in the UK, employing nearly 4,000 service personnel and more than 600 civilians.

When RAF Lyneham, near Swindon, closes in 2012, Brize Norton will become the single air movement base for the military in the UK. This expansion will bring huge capital investment to the area, including at least 1,000 new homes.