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

[Vulcan74]

at that rate looks like Waddington is turning into another Scampton with not a lot going on

Another ghost station!!

[baz1]

at that rate looks like Waddington is turning into another Scampton with not a lot going on

Another ghost station!!

too true and with the new Lincoln Bypass due to open This weekend enabling me to get there a lot faster with nothing to see

[C24]

Sounds like me and the A14 baz1. I gave up fighting the road works, deciding to wait for the opening. Along came COVID. San fairy Ann!

Will the ‘Heath / ‘Hall be open after vaccination? Will there be enough to go around? How many beans make five?

Life is full of surprises.

H., F., S.

[Finty]

Rivet Joints to remain at Mildenhall


https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/new ... 942QbDxrF4

[Vulcan74]

Well has confirmed what many thought!

[Brave New World]

Rivet Joints to remain at Mildenhall


https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/new ... 942QbDxrF4

So basically RAF and USAF Rivet Joints will now both be based at Mildenhall, whilst all other units will remain, with the potential to upgrade the base.

Fairford will be upgraded in relation to DAB's, as well as improvements, and infrastructure upgrade work continues at Lakenheath in relation to the arrival of the F-35's.

Molesworth has a planning permission application for a new intelligence 25,000 m2 two storey building housing for 1,750 intelligence staff and Alconbury will remain as the support hub to Molesworth.

Croughton is to have a new gate and some new radomes.

Lossiemouth is becoming a much more important facility in relation to the Northern Gap and Russian ambitions in the Arctic region.

Waddington is going to be the central hub for UAV operations, as well as hosting the Red Arrows.

[CHINOOKER]

Biden has just made his first foreign policy speech in which he has “reversed” the withdrawal of some US military forces from Germany, as proposed by Trump!. Be interesting how this plays out with the future of Mildenhall and other US assets in Europe.

[Fighterfoto]

Can anyone direct me to where there’s been an announcement re the RAF basing its RJs at Mildenhall, or where this comes from?

[Vulcanone]

I seem to recall it was the comical Lincolnshire Live webnews article from the day they announced Wedgetails were going to Lossie...

[Vulcanone]

https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2020/12/raf ... LBgDsNKyyM

[Pricey]

Would be cool to get some F-35's coming over Birmingham (via SAPCO) on the way to Wales !!

[Finty]

Would be cool to get some F-35's coming over Birmingham (via SAPCO) on the way to Wales !!

Indeed. I’ve missed chances to photograph the B over Brum but I reckon I’ve got a better chance of seeing an A from here than the B.

[page_verify]

Austin Announces 500 More Service Members to Be Based in Germany

"This planned increase in U.S. personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance," Austin said in his remarks to Germany's Ministry of Defense.

The increase reverses the policy of the previous administration, which looked to drastically reduce the number of U.S. forces based in Germany. President Joe Biden announced a policy to freeze that process, which included moving the headquarters for the Stuttgart-based U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. The president ordered a global posture review to determine how to best station U.S. forces around the world.

https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Ar ... n-germany/

The reason that kept Mildenhall open has gone away now, could be an interesting time for European basing.

[Lossie]

The global basing review launched in February this year by President Biden is due to report mid-year:
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Ar ... to-basing/

[Unknown74]

I thought this was a predictable subject when Biden was elected, after all President Biden was Vice President when the Obama Administration was in Power and the original decision was made and when he announced the withdrawal from Afghanistan this subject sprang to my mind. Wait and see I suppose.

[Finty]

Obviously not 48th FW yet but Lakenheath is due to see some more F35s (albeit Bs this time), I’ve just seen the news on Scramble about the Wake Island avengers.

[Snoop 95]

Having listened to President Biden's excellent address to the troops at Mildenhall yesterday I take some reassurance form his words that, at least as far as he is concerned, there is no threat of base closure. Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUKyGQ3vb9k

[filmman]

Well, as I said some time ago give it 6 months for the dust to settle. It’s not clear yet whether the temporary Alaska oil exploration delay is just tokanism. If not the USA will be beefing up their Artic assets as well as UK/Europe assets. Some sleeping assets might be resurrected or used more. Putin might find that life becomes far more difficult.
Hope you are all well.
Film an

[page_verify]

Mildenhall once again doesn't have any construction work in this year's USAF budget and the last tender for MOD work there was back in 2014 for some fuel storage tanks. Given the decision to keep it open was made long enough ago to have formulated investment plans for this year's USAF budget I'd have expected something. Spangdahlem, Kecskemet, Moron, Fairford, and Lakenheath do - Mildenhall doesn't. My guess is that it'll make do and mend until a decision is made on the European base for the KC-46.

[filmman]

Patience. Your dealing with the USA political/military/ pork barrel/bureaucracy that will continue squabbling - the troop basing deal with Russia. Finally Trump has permanently changed the USA attitude over requiring other NATO members to spend their fair share and provide more military forces. Bottom line is They can’t afford to lose Mildenhall, though they might also be looking to the north.
Film man