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

[Bobcode]

According to the BBC, all plans to close Mildenhall have been scrapped, not on hold but scrapped.

[Rugbyref]

Oh dear, if the BBC says something, the opposite must be true.

[Bobcode]

Oh dear, if the BBC says something, the opposite must be true.

Oh ye of little faith, the BBC’s reporting is beyond reproach

[Cranberry]

Well yes, Mildenhall has to now stay open because the message said the tankers and STS folks are staying in the UK and there's no where in the UK for them to move right now. I'm not sure there's any prizes for working that out. If you want to be skeptical you can ask how long will Mildenhall stay open for though.

Wasn't Ramstein meant to get KC-46 to replace Mildenhall KC-135? Wasn't Mildenhall RC-135 meant to move to Fairford to co-locate with RAF 51SQN so they can share toolboxes? If all that still happens then I can see Mildenhall closing once KC-46 at Ramstein has replaced KC-135 at Mildenhall and RC-135 has moved to Fairford, by then the STS folks will have moved to Romania or somewhere else in the East cos they like to be close to the bad guys in case they capture a crashed good guy.

[filmman]

The official announcement would appear to be strategic, possibly lacking in clarity about Mildenhall. However, it could be what it is, allowing personnel to better plan their futures and them in charge, Maintenance/Logistics, Mission delivery, Finance to fight their corners. It's possible there could be more bases activity or even More active airfields. Moving all of Mildenhall to Fairford might degrade resilience and be impractical. Whatever happens it will cost big bucks. So ignore the press and Their sources and wait for further announcements. Personally, I never expected Mildenhall to close for many reasons. Meanwhile the USA elections will result in Thousands of reappointments by the President, changes in Congress/Senate and the usual military changes. So it would appear that the final outcome will not be before June 2021. Meanwhile contracted and even necessary work will continue at Fairford which is a priceless asset.
Filmman

[andrewn]

Who knows why the official announcement was so nonspecific regards naming UK bases, but the way the Trump administration operates it could be that host nation formalities had not yet been completed, they either haven't told us they want to retain Mildenhall or we haven't formally accepted their request yet.

[Snoop28]

Why don’t we all wait for the 100th ARW base commander to make a statement on the matter in a couple of weeks to get a better understanding of the current thinking in the pentagon. Obviously everyone has there own personal and sometimes selfish takes on what they would like to see happen going forward but until the US election is held and the results are known it could all change again.

[Velvet Glove]

Mildenhall closure: Reprieve.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-53606937

[Kurnass]

Wasn’t one of the reasons for Mildenhall to close that it needed lots of investments to be updated to modern standards? As construction works have been going on at Ramstein for getting the tankers there, I can still see that happen. As for Trump... who knows what will happen if he is not elected again in november.
US political/military decisions are not the most balanced thing at the moment (to say the least...)

When Germany orders 45 Super Hornets/Growlers, and the big order for Chinooks or CH-53K they will be Trumps best friend again (if still in power...)

It is nice for Mildenhall it seems to be safe for now. But in the long run, I would be a bit sceptical/realistic.

[2e1var]

No way in a million years he will get re-elected. Which is exactly what I said when he got elected oddly.

[Ian1963]

I do wonder how many people who look through the fence actually see how much building work is going on in Mildenhall and I do wonder why one person on the campsite give the vehicles inside the fence 2 fingers As they go past, perhaps jealousy because they think they know what’s going on but actually don’t. To all the nice spotters on the campsites thank you for the nice waves. My rant over have a nice day now.

[Cranberry]

It is nice for Mildenhall it seems to be safe for now. But in the long run, I would be a bit sceptical/realistic.

Enjoy today and wait and see what happens tomorrow. The USAF is getting B-21, RQ-180, KC-Z and the other unmanned/stealth/AI powered aircraft in dev right now over the next 10 years so its basing needs could be very different.

[BOLLO]

https://www.eucom.mil/document/40637/me ... e-realignm

[MRTT]

Link above would seem to suggest the 95th RS will move to Fairford as previously planned.

[James Cutting]

Well if you read in between the lines - it doesn't actually state that they're moving at all.

[Spitfire88]

Well if you read in between the lines - it doesn't actually state that they're moving at all.

If we’re going to go down that route it also says this is all subjective to budgetary needs being passed , so in other words it’s not set in stone.

[roughcutter]

Sure it wasn't the 56RQS flash on the tail,they did not get rid of it a for a wee while after they went .??

That's correct Mr. Bollo. There are two new Commanders jets now, one for the FW and one for the OG. They don't carry the green flash.

BR
Clem F.

If was a few years ago and had a green stripe it would have been for the 56 RQS. But they have since departed unless the AC hasn't been painted yet which I'm sure it has been

Ah well, wishful thinking on my part

[page_verify]

Link above would seem to suggest the 95th RS will move to Fairford as previously planned.

95th RS is an ACC lodger unit at Mildenhall, not a unit directly-ish managed by EUCOM.

[MRTT]

Link above would seem to suggest the 95th RS will move to Fairford as previously planned.

95th RS is an ACC lodger unit at Mildenhall, not a unit directly-ish managed by EUCOM.

So it is, my apologies.

[BOLLO]

Base commander confirming on the 100ARW Command Team chat he gives on Face book Mildenhall not closing.That will do for me no matter what other think they know .