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

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Windy57
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by Windy57 » Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:01 pm

Philwinward wrote:
Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:09 pm
Noticed the other day that the field across the road from the old Mildenhall viewing area has a new fence with MOD security notices on it. Not certain how long they have owned this field, but if they are moving out why bother with new fencing and signs ?
Phil
The field was originally purchased to enable the A1101 to be diverted, and the old road to be used for a new entrance to the base - this was shelved after the original closure announcement; the new fence just replaces the dilapidated old wooden one.

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

Post by johnwayne » Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:11 pm

Windy57 wrote:
Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:30 am
Confirmed yesterday by my Commander that the earliest that USAFE will be leaving Mildenhall is 2027
Word of caution - flying may end well before the place is finally vacated.

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

Post by wezgulf3 » Thu Mar 07, 2019 5:52 pm

johnwayne wrote:
Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:11 pm
Windy57 wrote:
Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:30 am
Confirmed yesterday by my Commander that the earliest that USAFE will be leaving Mildenhall is 2027
Word of caution - flying may end well before the place is finally vacated.
Was just about to say the same, think feet on the ground will outlast the Aircraft by a good few years.

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

Post by Philwinward » Sat Mar 09, 2019 8:11 am

Thanks Windy57, it makes sense now.
Phil

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

Post by Gary » Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:29 am

They've started to demolish building at Lakenheath https://www.gov.uk/government/news/demo ... d7nas9ohIk
Posh are going to Wembley (albeit for a tin cup)

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

Post by Vulcan74 » Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:01 pm

Are they still going to have F-15S as well as F-35s at Lakenheath in 2020 onwards. Our are the F-15s been totally replaced by the F-35 at Lakenheath?

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James Cutting
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by James Cutting » Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:26 pm

Yes, they will still have F-15s there
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by Snoop 95 » Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:58 pm

The C model will go if I recall.

Campbell89
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by Campbell89 » Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:35 pm

It’s probably in the thread somewhere but I’m assuming it will be F-35A based ast Lakenheath?

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James Cutting
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by James Cutting » Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:47 pm

Yeah :)
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by kenskyhawk » Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:13 am

Interestingly 495 FS reforming as first 48th F-35A Squadron maybe suggesting 492 with the C staying on a bit longer?
F-15X?

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James Cutting
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by James Cutting » Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:38 am

F-35's will be replacing the C/D's at 493rd, so 493rd and 495th should be 35 SQN's
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by kenskyhawk » Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:24 am

My apologies should have been 493rd with C, slip of finger.
Still think shortage of air defence plus inability of 35 to carry some of the current C weaponry ( one of the reasons quoted for putting 15X into production with C's running out of fatigue life) will see changes in planning for future. We will have to wait and see.

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

Post by filmman » Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:31 am

The new definition of infinity is Mildenhall's closure date, it's slipped again to 2028. I detect, interestingly, some USAF sensitivity about the subject. Possible ongoing issues are upgraded security (possible need now for on base accommodation at Fairford?), noisy Ospreys not loved by Germany and possibly the delivery slippage of new tankers for German or Fairford basing? One does begin to wonder if Mildenhall will ever close. Is the USAF due for another budget/base/plane review by a new hierarchy who inevitably will make their own changes.
Filmman

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

Post by Spitfire88 » Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:41 pm

Latest release to the local population in Fairford is an increase in number of USAF personal moving to Fairford to about 2000 bringing it in line with the number of personal based at Fairford in the late 80's (kc-135s).
Interestingly only 10% will be housed on base with rest being housed in the local area.

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

Post by Reach1985 » Sat Mar 23, 2019 7:47 am

filmman wrote:
Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:31 am
The new definition of infinity is Mildenhall's closure date, it's slipped again to 2028. I detect, interestingly, some USAF sensitivity about the subject. Possible ongoing issues are upgraded security (possible need now for on base accommodation at Fairford?), noisy Ospreys not loved by Germany and possibly the delivery slippage of new tankers for German or Fairford basing? One does begin to wonder if Mildenhall will ever close. Is the USAF due for another budget/base/plane review by a new hierarchy who inevitably will make their own changes.
Filmman
Do you have/know what the source is for the news on the slip?

If it is the case I think your conjecture is probably pretty close to what’s going on behind closed doors.

Mildenhall is clearly not the perfect base for ops but equally rehousing the various units presents a whole series of costs and issues that’s not quite as simple as putting a few planes on different bases.

USAFE does perhaps have under utilised capacity over its estate (look at Spang - huge base - one sqn of F-16 and the airlift component) however perhaps not enough to close a major base like Mildenhall.

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

Post by andrewn » Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:12 pm

Spitfire88 wrote:
Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:41 pm
Interestingly only 10% will be housed on base with rest being housed in the local area.
That alone will present an interesting challenge I imagine, in an area with an already massively overheated property market.

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

Post by filmman » Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:32 am

I deliberately did not mention Fairford off site accommodation; apparently required within 20 minutes of the base. It's a lot of houses in a small area because of road/river constraints, existing local demand/building. Could cause local house price angst.
Filmman

Spitfire88
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Re: RAF Mildenhall to close. Lakenheath to get F-35 by 2020

Post by Spitfire88 » Sun Mar 24, 2019 11:00 am

andrewn wrote:
Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:12 pm
Spitfire88 wrote:
Fri Mar 22, 2019 6:41 pm
Interestingly only 10% will be housed on base with rest being housed in the local area.
That alone will present an interesting challenge I imagine, in an area with an already massively overheated property market.
Well Fairford (the town itself ) is having 500 new houses built over the next 5 years to cope with rising demand, they are currently consulting over location's for them.

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

Post by bentwaters81tfw » Sat Apr 06, 2019 8:49 pm

With Merkel announcing Germany will not be making the required payments to the NATO budget, I doubt POTUS will close the Hall in favour of a German base. I predict another 6 years of this administration, and further predict the move will not take place. One thing is certain, Brussels will NOT be offering cash incentives for USAFE to move facilities after we leave the EUSSR.

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