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

[Spitfire88]

It’s seems mildenhall is shutting then despite all the rumours to the contrary https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/air ... s-1.616093

[MRTT]

Suggests the 100th will be re-equipped with KC-46s in the future, interesting.

[bizfreeq]

Surely all 135 units will re-equip with the KC-46 eventually

[Agent K]

Surely all 135 units will re-equip with the KC-46 eventually

No, not given the current orders vs the 135 fleet size.

[Harkins]

It’s seems mildenhall is shutting then despite all the rumours to the contrary https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/air ... s-1.616093

I guess that is that then. Blimey, this hobby really is in its final death throes in the UK

[johnwayne]

It’s seems mildenhall is shutting then despite all the rumours to the contrary https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/air ... s-1.616093

I guess that is that then. Blimey, this hobby really is in its final death throes in the UK

Not if your 'home' base is Fairford mate The 'Heath' is also as long term secure as possible , and several years are likely to pass before flying ceases at Mildenhall during which time anything can happen - its never over 'till its over .

[andrewn]

Not if your 'home' base is Fairford mate The 'Heath' is also as long term secure as possible , and several years are likely to pass before flying ceases at Mildenhall during which time anything can happen - its never over 'till its over .

Maybe, though as pointed out above an RC135 movement a day is hardly rich pickings is it? Living so far away from the Hall I only ever get there once or twice a year, but it's been a staple for so long I for one will miss it. I must admit I was getting ever more optimistic the closure was going to be reversed, but with this huge contract award it now seems pretty much a done deal

[Harkins]

Not if your 'home' base is Fairford mate The 'Heath' is also as long term secure as possible , and several years are likely to pass before flying ceases at Mildenhall during which time anything can happen - its never over 'till its over .

There's not a lot to see at Fairford is there? Possibly 3 B-52s for a couple of weeks and some occasional and very unpredictable U-2 movements? And Lakenheath whilst quite active at the moment, is due some of those F-35s isn't it? And apart from being ugly, isn't most 'flying' of those done in simulators now?

I have to admit, as I don't have a local base because I am about as far away as you can get from any active base, I am naturally of the sense that there's not much to see anyway, but I think it is fair to say that we are not exactly in the halcyon days of military aviation in the UK. Losing Mildenhall and its aircraft and visitors isn't going to help. And even less activity in the low flying areas now without Ospreys or Hercules.

[Reach1985]

Interestingly no mention of the MC-130’s in the article? An over sight on the public affairs department or something we don’t know? In terms of operability I imagine that the special ops mission relies on the assets working together (for refuel etc.) but maybe there is more to this than meets the eye?

[conelrad]

Surely all 135 units will re-equip with the KC-46 eventually

KC-46 is not a KC-135 replacement. The -135s will be flying for a long, long time.

[James Cutting]

Technically, it is replacing a lot of the older KC-135's so can be seen as a replacement.

[Vulcanone]

And they have yet to sort out the KC-10 replacement also. Perfect opportunity missed sometime ago..

[blackbird60]

...Hi Windy
How did your meeting go as regarding the closing of mildenhall go,is it still on the cards.someone mention it was all hyped up from the media side of things.as the news came from the penticon,it must have truth in it.
Many thanks.
John

[Agent K]

...Hi Windy
How did your meeting go as regarding the closing of mildenhall go,is it still on the cards.someone mention it was all hyped up from the media side of things.as the news came from the penticon,it must have truth in it.
Many thanks.
John

?

[Spitfire88]

It’s been confirmed Mildenhall will not close unti 2027 now.

[F4JPhantomII]

https://www.forces.net/news/raf-mildenh ... least-2027 Don’t know if there’s been an official press release but this is what mentions the 2027 date.

What’s the possibility of Mildenhall ending up like Fairford has been until recently, an operational base but with no based aircraft?

[Nighthawke]

Or as Sculthorpe was for decades under care and maintenance. The difference with Mildenhall though is its close proximity to the surrounding populace which will probably mean if won't just be left.

[Kurnass]

If Mildenhall is to close by 2027, I wonder which year the last aircraft will leave the base. Surely before 2027, as the base will probably have to be stripped of military equipment and being demilitarized?

[Lossie]

Some clarification here regarding aircraft:
https://aviation-news.keypublishing.com ... e-delayed/

[Snoop 95]

Some clarification here regarding aircraft:
https://aviation-news.keypublishing.com ... e-delayed/

Surely, then, if "no resident aircraft will leave before 2027" as it says in the Aviation news article, that means that all the supporting hardware will be removed after that date. Resulting in an actual closure date of something like 2029.