Fairford reactivation

[thevulcan]

Hi just a general question how often will the RC-135's operate out of fairford. How often do they operate out of mildenhall currently.

[SamP]

Roughly 3 times a week, can be as often as daily when its busy.

[slogen51]

Plus they always go up with a tanker

[BOLLO]

No they don't

[Ghost from above]

They won't need a tanker after the runway works as with the strengthening of the ends they have the take off distance with a full load of fuel.

[thevulcan]

Many thanks guys. Do we think that transitioning USAF aircraft will use Fairford as they do Mildenhall and Prestwick post mildenhall closure.

[Spitfire88]

Yes they will from what I have been told.

[johnwayne]

US DoD FY2020 Budget - Construction Programs retains $46.5m for RC135 infrastructure at Fairford (incl. runway overrun re-configuration), plus $19m for munitions holding area , and $87m for DABS-FEV storage . All carried over from FY 2019 so unclear when spend will actuslly occur .

[Pune]

Could be busier if Prestwick is turned into a housing estate as rumours go!!

[Ian1963]

Hi mildenhall is now open until 2027 plus if it then closes. How longs a piece of string.

[Pune]

Hi mildenhall is now open until 2027 plus if it then closes. How longs a piece of string.

I heard from a very good source that the way things are going Mildenhall won't close at all, I'm sure there will be comments about that..piece of string exactly.

[Spitfire88]

Civil engineering guys from USAF have now moved to fairford on posting, work is starting already, runways overuns were being measured up by a contractor about a month ago.

[filmman]

I am in the course of doing a little construction work myself and found that material costs have significantly increased. Though millions of dollars sound impressive, so are costs and some of the Fairford work is for bombers. As Pune mentioned there are rumors that Mildenhall won't close. Have the USAF/RAF run out of bases to close - creating new ones is an expensive, protracted business - so have we reach a tipping point?
Filmman

[filmman]

I am in the course of doing a little construction work myself and found that material costs have significantly increased. Though millions of dollars sound impressive, so are costs and some of the Fairford work is for bombers. As Pune mentioned there are rumors that Mildenhall won't close. Have the USAF/RAF run out of bases to close - creating new ones is an expensive, protracted business - so have we reach a tipping point?
Filmman

[Maverick231]

I honestly think closing Mildenhall is a very rushed and very bad idea.
But who knows maybe the RAF might find a use for it with all our bases we are closing well need it thats for sure!

[Nighthawke]

Er no... the RAF stations are being closed because they're not needed.

You've seen this thread?

viewtopic.php?f=287&t=108625

[Maverick231]

Not needed?
Haha I'm not sure the RAF have properly thought about it to be honest, all it would take is 3 individual attacks and our fighter force and USAFE fighters (Coningsby, Lossiemouth & Lakenheath) are done and we have no air defence, that's not a very good thought to be honest.

[ChrisCwmbran]

Not needed?
Haha I'm not sure the RAF have properly thought about it to be honest, all it would take is 3 individual attacks and our fighter force and USAFE fighters (Coningsby, Lossiemouth & Lakenheath) are done and we have no air defence, that's not a very good thought to be honest.

Since your knowledge about this matter is clearly more accurate than anyone in the RAF or the Ministry of Defence, perhaps you should make your services available to Mr Johnson forthwith?

[H.A.Bucken]

Not so much the R.A.F. but the M.O.D. methinks. It's not too long ago that N.A.T.O. complained about the lack of contribution Belgium was making; their airforce was limited to very low flying time.
I still think the 'HS' project is a waste; additional freight dedicated routes maybe and divert some of the savings towards our armed forces. As for electrifying our local Lakes line WHAT IS THE POINT.
Sorry, I mustn't go on like this; it's the weather you know!
Roger

Edit: Hello, there's a Belgium C-130 up on Donnyradar.

[Thunder]

Who exactly is going to attack our bases simultaneously then? As said the bases shut because there isn’t a need for them anymore as we operate far less a/c and types of a/c. However if any of the ex bases are going to be reactivated then I would put my money on Kinloss, due to it’s location within the UK and it’s proximity to Lossie for use as a diversionary airfield. I’ve heard that this possibility has already been looked into within the MoD.