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

[skidrow]

Correct no moves before 2027 is what is being briefed. However, base closure still hasn’t been confirmed yet with a decision due later this year.

[filmman]

Remember, the closure was first announced in Jan 2015; It's now 2027-29. Most English District Councils are currently generating 15 year housing development plans to 2035 - Mildenhall would most likely be too late to be included. Trump promised to pull out of Afghanistan as he is doing in an election year. He is against wasting US money and troops on free-loading foreigners -"America First". Trump is most likely to be re-elected, so spending on new foreign bases might decline. Mildenhall might stays open longer to save money, whilst some European bases decline and shut - expect surprises.
Filmman

[andrewn]

It's got to be the most protracted closure decision ever! Makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes. Closure announced 5 years ago now, contracts seemingly let in UK and Germany related to rebasing of the assets, but actual closure postponed twice with the latest delay taking it to at least 12 years after the initial announcement. There's quite a lot of politics at play I'd imagine, after all the UK is easily the US' closest ally and we generally let the visiting forces go about their business unhindered - whose to say that would always be the same in Germany, for example if the Greens were the largest party in a coalition? Then on our side of the fence you've got the MoD under massive pressure to release real estate for housing, plus Marshalls looking for a new home in the vicinity. Watch this space I guess?

[Snoop 95]

This from the local press about the delay to closure. It is disappointing to see that the USAF spokesperson says that the planned consolidation of European Operations will proceed as planned. Sounds a bit set in stone.

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/raf-mildenh ... -1-6519602

[skidrow]

Just means that the closure hasn't been rescinded yet and the original decision is still in effect. More to come this year......

[Cyberfox]

Good news if it's staying open til '27. Hopefully it'll go on even longer!
I need to get down there this summer.

[Discodaz]

Good news if it's staying open til '27. Hopefully it'll go on even longer!
I need to get down there this summer.

Me too.it's been too long

Daz

[Windy57]

I would think much later than 2027 - latest insider information is that all work to accommodate the various Mildenhall based aircraft at Fairford, Ramstein and Spangdahlem has been put on hold.....

[thevulcan]

Fairford work is definitely still ongoing with lots of traders going in and out daily.

[Snoop 95]

I would think much later than 2027 - latest insider information is that all work to accommodate the various Mildenhall based aircraft at Fairford, Ramstein and Spangdahlem has been put on hold.....

I think that the statement from the DoD was that "no aircraft" would leave Mildenhall before 2027, which means that the base would remain during draw-down for some more years.

[filmman]

The problem is that some recent facts are clear - such as the recent DOD/USAF 2027 statement. Whilst recent activities - such as Fairford work are open to interpretation. Project administration becomes messy/expensive whith delays. Contracted work starts even though moves are delayed/revised or even stopped. Sometimes so much is spent it's too late to stop. However, Fairford's work improves it and we could end up with all 3 bases. Meanwhile enjoy.
Filmman

[Unknown74]

So that might as well mean 2030 then?

[reaperops]

In news just in.......Article in Stars and Stripes dated 10-03-20

https://www.stripes.com/news/plans-to-m ... k.facebook

[slogen51]

Potentially good news for the local spotters

Quoting from your link above :-

Published: March 10, 2020 credit Stars and Stripes

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Plans to close RAF Mildenhall in England and move its refueling tankers and a special operations wing to Germany have been put on hold, the Pentagon said this week.

The “action to divest RAF Mildenhall is on pause until U.S. European Command completes a reassessment of the previous closure decision and the U.S. Department of Defense makes a decision on the future of the installation,” a Pentagon official with knowledge of the matter said in a statement Monday.

The official, who provided a written statement on background to Stars and Stripes, did not say why the move to shutter Mildenhall was being reevaluated.

[BOLLO]

Potentially good news for the local spotters

Quoting fron your link above :-

Published: March 10, 2020 credit Stars and Stripes

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Plans to close RAF Mildenhall in England and move its refueling tankers and a special operations wing to Germany have been put on hold, the Pentagon said this week.

The “action to divest RAF Mildenhall is on pause until U.S. European Command completes a reassessment of the previous closure decision and the U.S. Department of Defense makes a decision on the future of the installation,” a Pentagon official with knowledge of the matter said in a statement Monday.

The official, who provided a written statement on background to Stars and Stripes, did not say why the move to shutter Mildenhall was being reevaluated.

Already been posted .Poor ole Fairford

[slogen51]

I am aware

I was just reproducing the first paragraph from the posted link

You should be a moderator on here

[BOLLO]

Naa thanks

[wezgulf3]

Potentially good news for the local spotters

Quoting fron your link above :-

Published: March 10, 2020 credit Stars and Stripes

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Plans to close RAF Mildenhall in England and move its refueling tankers and a special operations wing to Germany have been put on hold, the Pentagon said this week.

The “action to divest RAF Mildenhall is on pause until U.S. European Command completes a reassessment of the previous closure decision and the U.S. Department of Defense makes a decision on the future of the installation,” a Pentagon official with knowledge of the matter said in a statement Monday.

The official, who provided a written statement on background to Stars and Stripes, did not say why the move to shutter Mildenhall was being reevaluated.

Already been posted .Poor ole Fairford

Am I missing a link? Where is Fairford mentioned?

Wes...

[skidrow]

Wes, anything that was due to move from Mildenhall has been stopped pending a decision on Mildenhall's future this includes RAF Fairford.

[filmman]

Since the 2015 decision, which at the time seemed to be suspect, them in charge military have no doubt changed; even more so for officials and politicians, particularly those appointed by the President. Circumstance have also changed, so is it surprising that a 5 year old decision is re-visited.
Film man