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

[Ian1963]

Hi spitfire88 I am sure it mentioned Mildenhall.

[thevulcan]

I agree with Spitfire88 in recent weeks both units have ben doing a lot of familiarisation training with both Brize and Fairford currently QUID34 is circuit bashing fairford and has been Brize for the past hour. From a cost point of view fairford has to remain open for the Bomber Task Force Rotations 24/7 even though only three deployments happen a year on average so it would make sense to base the units there as it saves the airforce paying for two bases.

[Spitfire88]

Hi spitfire88 I am sure it mentioned Mildenhall.

Nope it’s says aircraft currently based at Mildenhall will remain in th U.K.

[acw367]

https://www.defense.gov/newsroom/Speech ... pers-open/ The transcript of the Secretary of Defense part of the speech.

[Phoon]

Spitfire look at the USAF news section big topic in there. They had a big press conference.

The closure of Mildenhall wasn't specifically mentioned, the only reference was that the 100th ARW & 352nd SOG would be remaining in the UK.

cant see why they would move it all to Fairford

Mildenhall, being located near Cambridge has massive land value for development, that is why a move to Fairford 'could' be on the cards.

[BOLLO]

I told ya .lol

[BOLLO]

Hi spitfire88 I am sure it mentioned Mildenhall.

Nope it’s says aircraft currently based at Mildenhall will remain in th U.K.

At Mildenhall.Hard luck pal.

[Phoon]

Hi spitfire88 I am sure it mentioned Mildenhall.

Nope it’s says aircraft currently based at Mildenhall will remain in th U.K.

At Mildenhall.Hard luck pal.

Whilst we all hope that is the case, it does not specifically say they will remain at Mildenhall - If anything the open ended statement suggests that it 'might' be a different base, which of course would be Fairford. It makes little sense to move Mildenhall's units due to the massive cost that would be required, both to move and upgrade Fairford's facilities, unless the MOD are considering Mildenhall's close proximity to Cambridge, and the value of the site if sold to developers....

[BOLLO]

Its not closing,simple .

[BOLLO]

Remain in the U.K. could mean Fairford, is there clarification that mildenhall is staying open?

Mildenhall is not closing,why move to FFD from a base ya not going to close ???

[Vulcan74]

I don't think it will all go to Fairford, imagine 5X B52's on detachment as well as the resident KC-135's, C130's, Ospreys, RC135's etc. Then the transiting aircraft from the states & back for night stop over's. There would be no space left for anything else!!

[Spitfire88]

I don't think it will all go to Fairford, imagine 5X B52's on detachment as well as the resident KC-135's, C130's, Ospreys, RC135's etc. Then the transiting aircraft from the states & back for night stop over's. There would be no space left for anything else!!

There’s over 80 bays at Fairford, lots of room

[Reach1985]

https://www.airforcemag.com/u-s-to-end- ... m-germany/

This article published 20 or so mins ago suggests that Mildenhall will remain open.

[Phoon]

Its not closing,simple .

Whilst we all hope that is the case, at this stage there has been no announcement from either the MOD or USAF to suggest a reversal of the closure decision announced in 2015.

[thevulcan]

Nevertheless I'm happy these aircraft are staying in the UK even if it means a 3 hour drive to see them. At least I get increased Bomber Task Force missions the U2's and soon Rivert Joints to enjoy seeing in the local area.

[johnwayne]

Remain in the U.K. could mean Fairford, is there clarification that mildenhall is staying open?

I'd suggest its self evident that 100ARW & 352nd SOG will ''remain in UK'' means at Mildenhall for the foreseeable . Congrats to all you Mildy guys & gals . As for 'Fairfordians' nothing specific although bomber rotations (with some investment e,g.upgraded weapons storage) would seem secure whilst prospective move of RC's remains unclear unless someone knows better

[Proteus]

It would seem odd that the 135 infrastructure remains at Mildenhall and the RCs would go to Fairford.

[Spitfire88]

It would seem odd that the 135 infrastructure remains at Mildenhall and the RCs would go to Fairford.

Work has started on the RJs stuff at Fairford

[Knife 04]

Means nothing spitfire! Budget money is allocated years in advance

Greenham Common school opened the day the closure was announced and I believe the same happened at Alconbury with the commissary - the world political / military situation is constantly changing

[mushbuster]

There’s over 80 bays at Fairford, lots of room

Spitfire, perhaps you could point to where the 80 bays are at Fairford, BTW The extent of work underway right now at Fairford is minimal from what I can see and as suggested, ongoing building repair work means nothing.

We now await the announcement on the RC135s, my money is them staying put at Mildenhall