FighterControl

Once 10+ Kc135 visitors was common place here now most go elsewhere
This week however reminded me of how things use to be.
08/07
58-0030 Maine ANG Rch204 arrive/Depart 09/07

61-0321 22ARW Arrive Roma02 Taking SJ F15Es to SP
Depart 10/07 Roma72 Supporting LN F15Es to Red Flag RTB Mildenhall
Depart 11/07 Roma81

60-0333 92ARW Arrive Roma03 Taking SJ F15s to SP. Depart 10/07 with LN F15Es to red Flag


09/07
62-3508 108ARW New Jersey ANG Arrive Roma61. Depart 10/07 with LN F15Es to Red Flag

59-1444 121ARW Ohio ANG Arrive Roma62. Depart 10/07 with LN F15Es to red Flag

59-1460 171ARW Pennsylvania ANG Arrive Roma63. Depart 10/07 with LN F15Es to red Flag

63-7982 92ARW Arrive Roma66. Depart 10/07 with 2 F35s that Diverted to LN couple of weeks ago

63-8883 22ARW Arrive Roma73. Depart 10/07 with LN F15Es to red Flag

59-1471 92ARW Arrive Roma93 with remaining SJ F15Es to SP. Depart 11/07 Roma83

63-8871 92ARW Arrive Roma94 with remaining SJ F15Es to SP. Depart 11/07 Roma82

62-3507 336ARS/452AMW AFRC Arrive Rch424 TDY, Flew 11/07 Nacho81

Yes, nice to have visiting 135s using Mildenhall, however as you have pointed out they are all actually doing tanking missions.

Sadly the transients that would be the bread and butter of the Hall's visitors on a daily/weekly basis, like the Maine ANG one above, continue mostly to avoid the place. I'm not sure why that is the case.

apex wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 11, 2019 7:06 pm

Yes, nice to have visiting 135s using Mildenhall, however as you have pointed out they are all actually doing tanking missions.

Sadly the transients that would be the bread and butter of the Hall's visitors on a daily/weekly basis, like the Maine ANG one above, continue mostly to avoid the place. I'm not sure why that is the case.

The people who own Prestwick have been doing a lot of active PR & engagement w/ various US mil units w/ the aim of getting contracts for them to use the airport as a stopover. The USAF presence is a vital money maker for Prestwick as they will be having to pay for the use of the base & the fuel etc.

Have a read of this: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... of-airport

If anyone can shed any light on why Prestwick is used over Mildenhall (other than geographic location) I’d love to know as surely CONUS units don’t have to pay Mildenhall?

Don't forget that nee MAC used to have a terminal there years ago and that you-know-who's only visit to the U.K. was here, dis-embarking to stretch his legs.
Roger

Come through Prestwick night stop in a hotel on rates(extra money)
Come through Mildenhall stay on base and no rates
Doesn’t take a lot of working out if your unit will agree to it.
Also Mildenhall may refuse them due to ongoing commitments and lack of Manpower,Parking etc

I also remember about three summers ago that Mildenhall changed it's manned terminal hours, ie opening later, closing earlier, although that sounds like madness if that was a cause to have to use Prestwick instead, as surely it's role is to be available when needed, especially as four or five visiting 135s daily was the norm then.

I think they probably get treated like valued customers at Prestwick, plus a round of golf, whereas in my rather limited experience of the Hall, I've often wondered if the left hand knows what the right hand is doing at times. Hope that doesn't upset anyone, maybe they don't have the manpower any more to be efficient all the time. Anyway it's off to Fairford for me now.