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RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
- TankBuster
- Posts: 1710
- Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:45 am
- Location: Colchester
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
We all said it was a stupid idea to close Mildenhall in the first place. When they started to look at re-locating assets it created more problems than it did solutions & no doubt would have incurred unnecessary costs along the way too!
TankBuster.
TankBuster.
And there's plenty more where that came from!
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Well said, TB
Oh, can I say a YIPPEE too (even if it is a tad premature)
Paddyboy
Oh, can I say a YIPPEE too (even if it is a tad premature)
Paddyboy
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Keep those fingers crossed guys...
Pete
Pete
GRIM REAPERS SUPPORTER
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
With the increase in transiting CONUS based units either from/to the Gulf or Eastern Europe over the last 3 years, do you think that someone high up the ladder within the USAF is trying his/her darnedest to prove the value of Mildenhall or just a coincidence?
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Related to the above point does anyone know why (for all I know the above could be the reason) some CONUS-based units are now using Lakenheath going to or from the Gulf? Is great but just curious as for about 10 years it was always Moron, Lajes, Rota etc on the southerly route.
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- Posts: 320
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:39 am
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
It MIGHT have to do with the reduction of US presence at Lajes, which was forreseen in the same BRAC package as the intended closure of Mildenhall.
When that is the case the planned changes have a silver lining for you guys in the UK.
Arnold
When that is the case the planned changes have a silver lining for you guys in the UK.
Arnold
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Oh dear. Looks like the initial euphoria was without foundation if this article from the EADT is correct: http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/shutting-raf ... -1-4979025
Snoop, down in the dumps again.
Snoop, down in the dumps again.
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
There's nothing in that parochial page-filler article that's really news per se. Close as I can see they have recycled old information interspersed with personal/local views to form an article (like most media outlets).
They have chosen to rely on the following extract..."In response to the report by Stars and Stripes, Lieutenant Colonel David Faggard, EUCOM spokesman, said: “EUCOM has not initiated any official request to review any of the sites planned for closure under EIC."
Doesn't mean to say that nobody back home in the US hasn't suggested 'initiating a review'. The best part of the article & sound advice too, plan for the drawdown schedule as published & any variation will be a bonus?
They have chosen to rely on the following extract..."In response to the report by Stars and Stripes, Lieutenant Colonel David Faggard, EUCOM spokesman, said: “EUCOM has not initiated any official request to review any of the sites planned for closure under EIC."
Doesn't mean to say that nobody back home in the US hasn't suggested 'initiating a review'. The best part of the article & sound advice too, plan for the drawdown schedule as published & any variation will be a bonus?
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- Posts: 1640
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:19 pm
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
I bet a beancounter somewhere hates the RC-135s right now........
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- Posts: 777
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:45 pm
- Location: Fairford, Gloucestershire
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"
- TankBuster
- Posts: 1710
- Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:45 am
- Location: Colchester
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
That could be an interesting move, I wonder if that will have any affect on future RIAT shows?
Didn't they scrub the Waddo shows because they no longer wanted the public wandering around on an installation that deals with intelligence gathering etc?
Still seems daft to move it all out of Mildenhall when the base is already up and running for such operations.
TankBuster
Didn't they scrub the Waddo shows because they no longer wanted the public wandering around on an installation that deals with intelligence gathering etc?
Still seems daft to move it all out of Mildenhall when the base is already up and running for such operations.
TankBuster
And there's plenty more where that came from!
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Interesting, to say the least.
Can't see it having an effect on RIAT, they managed to hold the show with '135s based there.
Can't see it having an effect on RIAT, they managed to hold the show with '135s based there.
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
I'm looking forward to them "defiantly" moving them to Fairford. As for your RAF source, he's in breech of his official secrets act signature, you should name and report him.Spitfire88 wrote:Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"
Meanwhile my best friends dogs groomers husbands Uncle is an Air Vice Marshall in the RAF and told me they're basing them at RAF Henlow.
- Nighthawke
- Posts: 5297
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:04 pm
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
So the AVM should know better too...
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
The "nameless RAF source" was "defiantly" (in defiance of sense and sensibility) spouting forth unnecessarily - definitely defiantly.Spitfire88 wrote:Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
That'll be AVM Paul Bolton then...Spitfire88 wrote:Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
The USAF held countless air shows while RC-135s were deployed at Mildenhall. I remember one coming back from an operational mission doing a fly past before landing at one Air fete. Not to mention while the SR's were there. So long as anything secretive is the far side of the runway from the public viewing areas there's no problem.TankBuster wrote:That could be an interesting move, I wonder if that will have any affect on future RIAT shows?
Didn't they scrub the Waddo shows because they no longer wanted the public wandering around on an installation that deals with intelligence gathering etc?
Still seems daft to move it all out of Mildenhall when the base is already up and running for such operations.
TankBuster
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- Posts: 1640
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:19 pm
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Confirmation of the world's worst kept secret has finally happened - surely if the RAF's RC-135s are moving to Fairford then.... .... ....
Agent K - that kind of information isn't "classified" these days, so I doubt there's any OSA issues, more commercial in confidence breaches if anything.....
Agent K - that kind of information isn't "classified" these days, so I doubt there's any OSA issues, more commercial in confidence breaches if anything.....
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
Michael Fallon to ask SecDef about Mildenhall.
http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/elect ... -1-5011816
http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/elect ... -1-5011816
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- Posts: 1640
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:19 pm
Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020
It's finally happened according to the US FY18 Defense Budget
Closure of RAF Mildenhall is driving the relocation of the 488 IS and 95 RS from RAF Mildenhall to RAF Fairford. No facility is available for the 488 IS to support the RC-135 mission coming to RAF Fairford. There are no facilities on RAF Fairford for the 95 RS to use as a squadron operations facility.
In addition, failure to provide an adequate permanent facility for the 488 IS and 95 RS will prevent the timely closure of RAF Mildenhall and puts at risk the associated base operating and support (BOS) costs savings associated with European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) until new permanent facilities are constructed at RAF Fairford.
RAF Fairford is an inactive base utilized for numerous training missions with partner nations to include B-52, B-1, B-2, and other aircraft. Future missions include the RC-135.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2018
INDEX - OUTSIDE THE US
RAF Fairford
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Intel and Squad Ops Facility - $38m
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Runway Overrun Reconfiguration - $5.5m
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Infrastructure - $2.15m
For reference
RAF Lakenheath
Consolidated Corrosion Control Facility - $20m
F-35A F-15 Parking $10.8m
F-35A Flight Simulator Facility $22m
F-35A Field Training Detachment Facility - $12.492m
F-35A Infrastructure - $6.7m
F-35A 6-Bay Hangar $24m
F-35A Squadron Operations and AMU $41m
RAF Mildenhall
Nothing
The source document is here http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/Portals/84/d ... 153715-980
Closure of RAF Mildenhall is driving the relocation of the 488 IS and 95 RS from RAF Mildenhall to RAF Fairford. No facility is available for the 488 IS to support the RC-135 mission coming to RAF Fairford. There are no facilities on RAF Fairford for the 95 RS to use as a squadron operations facility.
In addition, failure to provide an adequate permanent facility for the 488 IS and 95 RS will prevent the timely closure of RAF Mildenhall and puts at risk the associated base operating and support (BOS) costs savings associated with European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) until new permanent facilities are constructed at RAF Fairford.
RAF Fairford is an inactive base utilized for numerous training missions with partner nations to include B-52, B-1, B-2, and other aircraft. Future missions include the RC-135.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2018
INDEX - OUTSIDE THE US
RAF Fairford
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Intel and Squad Ops Facility - $38m
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Runway Overrun Reconfiguration - $5.5m
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Infrastructure - $2.15m
For reference
RAF Lakenheath
Consolidated Corrosion Control Facility - $20m
F-35A F-15 Parking $10.8m
F-35A Flight Simulator Facility $22m
F-35A Field Training Detachment Facility - $12.492m
F-35A Infrastructure - $6.7m
F-35A 6-Bay Hangar $24m
F-35A Squadron Operations and AMU $41m
RAF Mildenhall
Nothing
The source document is here http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/Portals/84/d ... 153715-980
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