Museum is based in the United States Air Force (USAF) hardened command post on the former Bentwaters airbase which closed after the withdrawal of the USAF in 1993 and is believed to be the only such building open to the public in the UK and Europe. Run by volunteers from the Bentwaters Aviation Society, the building is a large bunker made available to the public to view following 3 years of work to renovate and refurbish and opened in 2007. Further information on the society can be found at www.bentwaters-as.org.uk and for the museum at www.bcwm.org.uk The main “War Operations Room” and “Battle Cabin” have been restored to original condition including the original decontamination showers and airlocks allowing members of the public to see these once top secret, high security military installations in detail in an eerie atmosphere evoking the Cold War period. Other parts of the building have been turned into exhibition rooms, covering the history of RAF Bentwaters from W.W.II until the base closed in 1993. Included in this are histories of the units that operated from the airfield, particularly the 81st Fighter Wing. Also included is the other airfield which was part of the “twin base” complex - RAF Woodbridge, again covering the period from W.W.II until the present day. Of particular interest to families is a detailed timeline display of the Cold War which has proven of great help to those studying this period at school. Further exhibition rooms feature information on the “Special Operations/Rescue Squadrons” that were based at RAF Woodbridge, and also the “Aggressor” Squadron based at Bentwaters. Outside are the aircraft exhibits where the RAF Harrier and Phantom can be seen, and are joined by the USAF A-10 Warthog which was a familiar sight in the skies over Suffolk when this iconic type operated from Bentwaters and Woodbridge. There is plenty of car parking space and the museum is suitable for all ages and has the added benefit of being an ideal all weather visitor attraction. Plans for 2018 will see airframes continue to undergo work to bring them up to museum standard and it is expected some will be completed by the end of the year. The café and shop continues to be a great success offering light refreshments and souvenirs and card payment facilities. Following on from the success of previous years, the open dates for 2018 have now been finalised and the museum will continue to open on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month and Bank Holiday Sundays & Mondays, from April until October.