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

[Dan423]

We're being briefed on it this afternoon, would have been nice for the staff to have been told officially before the media. Looks like a lot of us have either got to relocate or look for a new job. Sad news.

[Pune]

This is very sad news, I feel especially sad for the local folks employed there, and the local economy will suffer badly I fear, yes we will miss the aircraft, but to most of us it's just a hobby, worse things could happen; however some are inevitably going to pay a price for the U.S pulling out of Mildenhall, hopefully not too many.
Time for a trip down there I think.

[page_verify]

We're being briefed on it this afternoon, would have been nice for the staff to have been told officially before the media. Looks like a lot of us have either got to relocate or look for a new job. Sad news.

Dan, from reading the news sites it seems a few released the news before the Pentagon had their press conference at 2pm UK time.
The formal review's report hasn't been made available yet.

[Southwest]

I cant believe this is happening and mildenhall would have been the best to keep open.

Obviously, you have great knowledge and wisdom to come out with this. Are you prepared to tell us why, in your opinion, Mildenhall is the best to be kept open? Or is it just because you've bought a scanner?

[The Phantom]

Oh dear, that is a body blow! Seems to be a sign of the times; just good news that LN is now safe.

[Twistedhicap]

I'm Guessing this will increase the Heaths traffic to the point of opening at the weekends when it all happens ?

Why would removing KC-135s and C-130s from Mildenhall mean F-15s and F-35s fly at weekends?

In the respect of other flights that may currently use Mildenhall that are either routine or one offs the world doesent stop just because its the weekend does it ?

[Skip]

Via Tony Osborne on twitter

Spangdahlem to get the 352nd SOS and its CV-22s and MC-130Js #Mildenhall

[Skip]

more...

#Mildenhall to close within the 2018-2021 timeframe says DoD's John Conger

and more...

No detail on what happens to the 100th ARW at the moment.

DoDs's Derek Chollet confirms two squadrons of F-35s to form at RAF Lakenheath @48FighterWing

[jagnut]

Cancel the Waddington upgrade and move it all to Mildenhall!

[Skip]

Today is a sad sad day. Like many others on here I have spent many a happy day at Mildenhall and have great memories of the place and have met some great people too. It is a photographers dream with so many places to get shots and some great movements too. I would hate to think just how many hours I've spent there Just goes to show you should take nothing for granted

[welshandy]

This on Lakenheath site http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123435694

48 F35's, though not saying which squadrons.

[page_verify]

Still no news on the 100 ARW as yet!

Not sure what else you're expecting? It's going and the tankers moving to Germany.

[Davef68]

prehaps they intend to withdraw the European deployed KC-135Rs back to the States to replace the KC-135Es

That would depend on if they are also planning of deploying them to September 2003 or earlier, as the last E-model was retired on 23 September 2003

Doh, I blame my age! :-)

[BOLLO]

Apparently the 100ARW are going to Ramstein!

II've herd Stuttgart ??

[TonyO]

USAFE and EUCOM told me the tankers would go to Ramstein. Currently trying to find out where the 95th RS will be re-housed and the departure dates for the F-15s.

[BOLLO]

Marshalls may well get their hands on Mildenhall after all.?? Wonder if LN will go 24hr re diverts for weather in Germany when it gets bad.What we looking at,4.5 7 years before it closes?? .Got a few years at least fingers crossed . Hoping Tom/Jane keep the camp site open [aka Johns feild] as LN will still be flying so can still go down for me weeks hols at least.Just a wee bit dead at the weekends .

[Andy_99]

Maybe the 95th RS end up at Fairford

[Gary]

Thread name changed and made a sticky

[BOLLO]

Gonna miss QUID call sign,MARK does not have the same ring to it .

[Snoop 95]

No mention of Feltwell, Fairford or Menwith Hill so I guess they are all staying.
With hindsight I suppose the inactivation of 3rd Air Force at Mildenhall in the early noughties and subsequent reactivation at Ramstein was 'writing on the wall'.