RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

[Tronk 11]

I remember a visit to the 100th and a pilot told me about the wing clearances of 18 inches. The KC-135 take off with only a maximum of 80% capacity at best, they say a gust of wind or bumpy runway is way too risky, especially with the wings bouncing at take off. I don't need to say grounding an engine is really expensive and potentially disastrous, something everyoneis trying to avoid. I'm sure we've all seen wings bounce in turbulant air when jetting off on hols. I'm sure the strategic importance of an RC going up outweighs the cost of putting a KC-135 up to refuel it. If they could sort the fuel problems out before it took off I'm sure they would, as tanking is costly and very risky, especially with the cost of the RC and how many crew it carries. RC crews are the best of the best.

[thevulcan]

There is a meeting with local residents tomorrow at Fairford, which the usaf and RAF base commanders are attending, we should find out tomorrow is the move to Fairford is still on , all that’s been said far is that activity will continue to increase at Fairford.

No one has a meeting to say nothing's changed but thanks for taking the time during Covid-19 to come and hear us say that anyway, do they?

Will be interesting to see what comes of this tomorrow. I doubt the meeting would be occurring if the move was cancelled not going to lie. As if the move was not occurring it wouldn't effect the locals and so they would not need to be told.

In response cranberry I believe the last official update on the move was 2018 so an update is due.

[Cranberry]

Aren't the Fairford residents still expecting 1,200 Americans to start arriving next year and filling their schools, rented houses, shops, roads, paddling pools, snooker clubs, dancehall, discotheque and kebab shop? They'd need to be told they're not coming now if indeed that's what's recently been decided.

[davedubya]

As the reason for moving has gone away why uproot an operation which has been at Mildenhall since 1970, at great expense and disruption, only to move it somewhere less cost effective? - can't see it happening.

What you've said is rational and makes sense, but you then have to remember that you're talking about the USAF/DoD.

[thevulcan]

Aren't the Fairford residents still expecting 1,200 Americans to start arriving next year and filling their schools, rented houses, shops, roads, paddling pools, snooker clubs, dancehall, discotheque and kebab shop? They'd need to be told they're not coming now.

Would they not also need to be told they are coming as expected despite the Mildenhall decision.

[city42]

There is a meeting with local residents tomorrow at Fairford, which the usaf and RAF base commanders are attending, we should find out tomorrow is the move to Fairford is still on , all that’s been said far is that activity will continue to increase at Fairford.

Will you lets us all know what is said please

[Spitfire88]

There is a meeting with local residents tomorrow at Fairford, which the usaf and RAF base commanders are attending, we should find out tomorrow is the move to Fairford is still on , all that’s been said far is that activity will continue to increase at Fairford.

Will you lets us all know what is said please

Yes

[Philly1971]

I wonder if the recent runway issues at Lakenheath, and the easy divert of those airborne F15s into Mildenhall, plus the Subsequent continued F15 operations out of Mildenhall over the following days also helped the decision at all? If Mildenhall was no longer there, where is the next official alternative divert should Lakenheath be out of action, Marham, Waddington, Coningsby?? Ok it doesn’t happen often, but it must have been recognised that having Mildenhall as such as close-by divert hopefully meant all flight staff could still easily get home, plus maintenance staff could easily transfer across and service those F15’s At Mildenhall if required, and also that plane security was still in the hands of US military personnel. Having a support base 15 minutes drive away, rather than 2+hours in the case of Fairford, must be seen as a positive for Lakenheath’s operations, which at the end of the day, is the true sharp end of the USA,s European based forces?

[Philwinward]

I remember a visit to the 100th and a pilot told me about the wing clearances of 18 inches. The KC-135 take off with only a maximum of 80% capacity at best, they say a gust of wind or bumpy runway is way too risky, especially with the wings bouncing at take off. I don't need to say grounding an engine is really expensive and potentially disastrous, something everyoneis trying to avoid. I'm sure we've all seen wings bounce in turbulant air when jetting off on hols. I'm sure the strategic importance of an RC going up outweighs the cost of putting a KC-135 up to refuel it. If they could sort the fuel problems out before it took off I'm sure they would, as tanking is costly and very risky, especially with the cost of the RC and how many crew it carries. RC crews are the best of the best.

There used to be a “groove” on Waddingtons runway caused by an E3 experiencing a challenging landing. The engine cowling of its no.4 engine made contact with the runway surface.

[the concerned]

I wonder if the recent runway issues at Lakenheath, and the easy divert of those airborne F15s into Mildenhall, plus the Subsequent continued F15 operations out of Mildenhall over the following days also helped the decision at all? If Mildenhall was no longer there, where is the next official alternative divert should Lakenheath be out of action, Marham, Waddington, Coningsby?? Ok it doesn’t happen often, but it must have been recognised that having Mildenhall as such as close-by divert hopefully meant all flight staff could still easily get home, plus maintenance staff could easily transfer across and service those F15’s At Mildenhall if required, and also that plane security was still in the hands of US military personnel. Having a support base 15 minutes drive away, rather than 2+hours in the case of Fairford, must be seen as a positive for Lakenheath’s operations, which at the end of the day, is the true sharp end of the USA,s European based forces?

That would become a option if Lakenheath isn't ready for F-35's at the end of 2021. If the F-15c's haven't been relocated by then just base them out of Mildenhall and have the new aircraft use the eagles area.

[BOLLO]

How did the meeting go today,any one know at all.??

[thevulcan]

meeting is happening now BOLLO as far as I know began at 7.

[Cranberry]

My understanding is that whatever meeting is happening tonight isn't what some on here might've thought it was.

[BOLLO]

Ok thanks.

[skidrow]

Sounds like the Anglo American committee the same as they have at Mildenhall

[filmman]

40yrs ago a kc135 T/O with the original engines blew one as it passed the fire house heading for John'sfield, but stopped short. The crew set a record for the 100yds. The red hot brakes were hosed down. Subsequently a RC pilot said that if it was fractionally later in his plane he would have ensured full throttle, prayed and hoped he was a good enough pilot - stopping was not an option. Now the KCs & RCs have much more powerful engines, so it's much safer but concrete is relatively cheap - but USAF crews are priceless individuals. However the first time I looked "down" Fairford's runway from the NW I was surprised at how hilly it was. I believe the plan to flatten it by removing the Hill was dropped, an odd decision. I am not sure what effect a hilly runway has on engine ground clearance.
Filmman

[city42]

I take it there was no news from the meeting last or not the new people wanted

[Vulcan74]

Maybe it was just a general summarization of the bases future role at Fairford?

[mushbuster]

....... I believe the plan to flatten it by removing the Hill was dropped, an odd decision. I am not sure what effect a hilly runway has on engine ground clearance.
Filmman

Non whatsoever, Fairford runway has a 0.3% gradient down west to east or 30 feet downhill in 10,000 feet. 737s have similar (worse) clearance issues and operate at heavier load factors from thousands of runways around the world, many of them are far from flat and many more are in very poor condition in comparison with the one at Fairford - put another way you would not want to operate an F-16 from many of them. USAF have been operating 135s of all the types fitted with CFM56 engines for 35 years at Fairford, why would it be an issue now?

[thevulcan]

The meeting at Fairford never occurred yesterday so a wrong date must have been given.