RC-135 info

[C24]

Excuse me if someone has already posted this
Also the three 51 Sqdn ones are to join them

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom -- The U.S. Air Force’s 95th Reconnaissance Squadron and 488th Intelligence Squadron will relocate its RC-135 RIVET JOINT mission from RAF Mildenhall to RAF Fairford as part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation.

Approximately 530 military personnel and 740 family members will move to the areas around RAF Fairford. The relocation enables U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa to reduce excess capacity without any loss of operational capabilities.

The move is expected to begin in 2023 and be complete by 2024.

All RC-135s are permanently assigned to the 55th Wing, Air Combat Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. They will use RAF Fairford as a Forward Operating Location and will deploy as required from the U.S. as they currently do at RAF Mildenhall. The 95th RS and 488th IS provide intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.

For more information on the RC-135, please visit the Air Force’s fact sheet here: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets ... vet-joint/.

[MRTT]

Where's the info regarding the 51 Squadron aircraft come from, if you don't mind me asking?

[tm74sqn]

But on the other hand, never say "never" - things change!

[johnwayne]

But on the other hand, never "never" - things change!

Well as a fellow Peter Pan devotee I have to agree with this comment . I've heard USAF are also planning to open a Wendy's at Fairford .

[Dave Smith]

" I've heard USAF are also planning to open a Wendy's at Fairford " I wouldn't discount it - Lossie is getting a Subways.

[C24]

I had been looking through here

https://www.offutt.af.mil/News/Article/ ... -fairford/ I might have misunderstood the post. I will take another look and post the info should I find it again.
Personally, it would make more sense for the USAF a/c to move to RAF Waddington

[johnwayne]

I had been looking through here

https://www.offutt.af.mil/News/Article/ ... -fairford/ I might have misunderstood the post. I will take another look and post the info should I find it again.
Personally, it would make more sense for the USAF a/c to move to RAF Waddington

Yeah I see thanks - an easy misinterpretation to make . Re your view on Waddo I believe USAF want the additional runway length available at Fairford once the overrun configurations are modified into underruns as proposed giving a TORA that permits high weight take offs by RC135's reducing the need for AAR 'top ups' . Also theres the little matter of the $ 38m intel/ops facility not to say accomodation for 1,000 plus personnel & dependents . And operational 'independence' could be in there somewhere - its fine co-operating with allies when alls 'hunky dory' but in the sensitive intel sphere retaining the capability not to share everything could be an important factor against co-location in this specific case .

[C24]

Morning jw,

No, I cannot find the text so I must be wrong. It wouldn't make sense for them to move to RAF Waddinton as you state.

[POL]

It wouldn't make sense for them to move to RAF Waddinton as you state.

Don't forget the electrical nightmare that would be involved with installing American equipment (and lots of it) at Waddington...

[C24]

EGVP,
It would be quite easy to handle such an installation if planned by politicians guiding ex members of the management team of Carallion(?).
There does seem (to me) tobe a lack of a general long term plan for airfields but let's not start that hare

[Ghost from above]

Also dont forget the levelling of the hill on the runway makes for a nice gentle take off/landing.
Waddo doesn't have the capability to expand the runway and the work needed would have been carried out when it was replaced recently.
Fairford is nice and long and with the overrun upgrades and the above makes it perfect.
It also has a connection to CLH pipeline along with plenty of fuel storage.

[filmman]

The hard intelligence lesson is to keep matters as compartmentalised as possible. The USA frequently, with good reason (Cambridge/Oxford USSR spy rings; Clause Fuchs, Tube alloys USSR penetration, etc ) distrusted us. Although they sell us the equipment they might be very reluctant to share the same base. however I am most likely wrong!
With regards to Waddington it could have been lengthened, at some cost and inconvenience to locals (road re routing) but the MOD is very short of money. With our generous Foreign Aid 0.7% GDP about 1.7% Government Budget and the Brexit £39Bn giveaway, we might be struggling to fill in potholes!
Filmman

[100arw]

"Filmman", since the demise of the Nimrod R1, the RAF 51 Sqn has had staff attached (including at command level) to both RC-135 and P-8 units. So no sharing problems there.
P.

[thevulcan]

Hi all have heard work at fairford is underway at a fast pace and have even heard rumors of the construction of a new hangar being started. Does anyone know if this is true? I wouldn't think they would need a new hangar giving the old KC-135 ones are still there.

[Spitfire88]

Hi all have heard work at fairford is underway at a fast pace and have even heard rumors of the construction of a new hangar being started. Does anyone know if this is true? I wouldn't think they would need a new hangar giving the old KC-135 ones are still there.

New RCs hangar being built down by the base lake

[thevulcan]

Thanks Spitfire88 not entirely sure where the base lake is sorry for my lack of knowledge. and is construction currently underway?

[Spitfire88]

Thanks Spitfire88 not entirely sure where the base lake is sorry for my lack of knowledge. and is construction currently underway?

Down by the old Concorde hangars ( current u2)

[thevulcan]

Thanks appears the move is still going ahead then.

[BOLLO]

No its not lol

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3 ... sv6CxPrDIM

[Spitfire88]

No its not lol

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3 ... sv6CxPrDIM

That does not say the move is not happening