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

[BOLLO]

So with that good news, perhaps the longest thread ( over five and a half years) can finally be put to bed ,
What will we do now .
Steve.

Spike Milligan Q 7.

[C24]

So the next point for debate could be

“How much of the funding will be allocated to Spy Corner? Can we add to or modify the toilet block; replace the trailer with a set of bleachers and change the fence height to allow better photo ops. Is there room to allocate space for parking at the Mound?”

$200000 from the PR budget should cover it

Comments to Donald please

[paddyboy]

Can't wait to see the pics from our Reaper gang from today, with all the 'Birthday bash' flybys and displays

[HighFlyer21]

https://www.airforcemag.com/afsoc-boss- ... 0n6TnxW7Yg

Obviously we haven’t invested in infrastructure in Mildenhall in a number of years in anticipation of a move to Spangdahlem, but we recognize the change in policy and we’re supportive of that,” Slife said during a press conference as part of AFA’s virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference. “Obviously we’ve worked out a lot of the kinks that come along with training in a new area and that kind of stuff in the U.K. We’ve been there a long time, and we’ve got a great training environment in the U.K., we’ve got good access to particularly the high north and some of the areas that are increasing in relevance for us.”

Wonder if that if referencing Prestwick?

[Agent K]

https://www.airforcemag.com/afsoc-boss- ... 0n6TnxW7Yg

Obviously we haven’t invested in infrastructure in Mildenhall in a number of years in anticipation of a move to Spangdahlem, but we recognize the change in policy and we’re supportive of that,” Slife said during a press conference as part of AFA’s virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference. “Obviously we’ve worked out a lot of the kinks that come along with training in a new area and that kind of stuff in the U.K. We’ve been there a long time, and we’ve got a great training environment in the U.K., we’ve got good access to particularly the high north and some of the areas that are increasing in relevance for us.”

Wonder if that if referencing Prestwick?

I read that as a reference to (N) Yorkshire and the Lakes and surrounding areas where they train most days/nights, not sure Prestwick has any special role to play?

[HighFlyer21]

https://www.airforcemag.com/afsoc-boss- ... 0n6TnxW7Yg

Obviously we haven’t invested in infrastructure in Mildenhall in a number of years in anticipation of a move to Spangdahlem, but we recognize the change in policy and we’re supportive of that,” Slife said during a press conference as part of AFA’s virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference. “Obviously we’ve worked out a lot of the kinks that come along with training in a new area and that kind of stuff in the U.K. We’ve been there a long time, and we’ve got a great training environment in the U.K., we’ve got good access to particularly the high north and some of the areas that are increasing in relevance for us.”

Wonder if that if referencing Prestwick?

I read that as a reference to (N) Yorkshire and the Lakes and surrounding areas where they train most days/nights, not sure Prestwick has any special role to play?

Midpoint refuel for highlands low level.

[Reach1985]

I read this in a geopolitical context: ‘high north’ as Norway & Scandinavia and access to the arctic which is increasingly becoming debated territory & I read the line ‘some of the areas of increasing relevance to us’ as Eastern Europe / Ukraine etc. I think I’m right in thinking that there has been a recent deployment to Norway & regular flights to Eastern Europe as well.

[Agent K]

I read this in a geopolitical context: ‘high north’ as Norway & Scandinavia and access to the arctic which is increasingly becoming debated territory & I read the line ‘some of the areas of increasing relevance to us’ as Eastern Europe / Ukraine etc. I think I’m right in thinking that there has been a recent deployment to Norway & regular flights to Eastern Europe as well.

Rereading it, yes, I think this does refer to Norway/Scandinavia and beyond as you propose...… the threat level is still low at Prestwick so not required……..

[Reach1985]

I read this in a geopolitical context: ‘high north’ as Norway & Scandinavia and access to the arctic which is increasingly becoming debated territory & I read the line ‘some of the areas of increasing relevance to us’ as Eastern Europe / Ukraine etc. I think I’m right in thinking that there has been a recent deployment to Norway & regular flights to Eastern Europe as well.

Rereading it, yes, I think this does refer to Norway/Scandinavia and beyond as you propose...… the threat level is still low at Prestwick so not required……..

Apart from when Trump comes to inspect his golf courses. If only the 352nd could spirit him away somewhere far away?!

[page_verify]

Whether the RC-135s move from Mildenhall to Fairford is still be to determined in an upcoming review - 30th Oct 2020.
https://www.facebook.com/12904610711536 ... 964209805/

[johnwayne]

Whether the RC-135s move from Mildenhall to Fairford is still be to determined in an upcoming review - 30th Oct 2020.
https://www.facebook.com/12904610711536 ... 964209805/

To save anyone ploughing through the whole 36 minutes of this 501st CSW Q&A PR video the relevant section is roughly minute 26 to 28 . In a nutshell it confirms full speed ahead on some (non RC135 related) Fairford infrastructure projects already publicised but as PV says the RC move is subject to further review . However I'd say the 'temperature of the water'' in the response to the RC moving question could be characterised as somewhat 'lukewarm'

[page_verify]

I think the Colonel probably gave a genuine answer, which is probably close to the truth. Americans are often very yes/no and by the book. Only a few weeks ago a USAF commander in the UK was saying "there's been no announcement so they're still moving to Fairford because I've got nothing to say they're not", rather than speculating with a "well it's looking less likely isn't it?" type of reply. The Colonel in that video could've said "that's not for me to say, I've not been given any updates" etc.

But, for whatever reason, that EUCOM announcement didn't say "we're keeping Mildenhall open so nothing's going to move", it just said the tankers and SOW are staying put. I've heard rumours why but that's for another day.

[thevulcan]

Interesting thanks for posting certainly sounding positive for both bases. With Lakenheath getting two F-35 squadrons along with it's three F-15 squadrons that wouldn't leave a lot of room for deployments of fighter units to lakenheath. Wonder if that is why Fairford is to become a DAB (Deployable Air Base) so that it can house and look after fighter deployments that would have once gone through lakenheath.

[reaperops]

Fairford has been identifed as a location to store DABs. Here's a couple of links describing its role and how it has already been tested within USAFE.

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/08 ... perations/

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/08 ... ture-wars/

[Alf]

Interesting thanks for posting certainly sounding positive for both bases. With Lakenheath getting two F-35 squadrons along with it's three F-15 squadrons that wouldn't leave a lot of room for deployments of fighter units to lakenheath. Wonder if that is why Fairford is to become a DAB (Deployable Air Base) so that it can house and look after fighter deployments that would have once gone through lakenheath.

Thought Lakenheath is to lose the F-15C squadron when the F-35 arrives.. so back to 4 squadrons like in the F-111 days..

[Finty]

That’s right, the 495th will be reactivated so two squadrons each of F15Es and F35As.

[page_verify]

Wonder if that is why Fairford is to become a DAB (Deployable Air Base) so that it can house and look after fighter deployments that would have once gone through lakenheath.

The deployable air base system is "a collection of shelters, vehicles, construction equipment and other gear that can be pre-positioned around the globe and moved to any place the Air Force needs to stand up air operations."
i.e. it'll get sent from Fairford to somewhere else in times of need.

[XWP29]

Interesting thanks for posting certainly sounding positive for both bases. With Lakenheath getting two F-35 squadrons along with it's three F-15 squadrons that wouldn't leave a lot of room for deployments of fighter units to lakenheath. Wonder if that is why Fairford is to become a DAB (Deployable Air Base) so that it can house and look after fighter deployments that would have once gone through lakenheath.

Thought Lakenheath is to lose the F-15C squadron when the F-35 arrives.. so back to 4 squadrons like in the F-111 days..

On at least two occasions the Stars and Stripes have reported that the 493rd will be around, after the 495th Squadron arrives.

https://www.stripes.com/news/thundervar ... h-1.645311

“There will be two squadrons of F35A’s, the 495th will be the first”

So from this it’s clear the F15C will not leave when the first Squadron of F35’s arrives next autumn.

The 493rd are Raytheon Trophy winners again for the top Fighter Squadron in the USAF 2020, this and potential upgrades to the F15C means it will be around a while longer yet Better still will they convert to F35A’s and provide that other, yet to be defined Squadron? After all it’s a single seater fighter just like the ‘C’

Time will tell

[Alf]

Interesting thanks for posting certainly sounding positive for both bases. With Lakenheath getting two F-35 squadrons along with it's three F-15 squadrons that wouldn't leave a lot of room for deployments of fighter units to lakenheath. Wonder if that is why Fairford is to become a DAB (Deployable Air Base) so that it can house and look after fighter deployments that would have once gone through lakenheath.

Thought Lakenheath is to lose the F-15C squadron when the F-35 arrives.. so back to 4 squadrons like in the F-111 days..

On at least two occasions the Stars and Stripes have reported that the 493rd will be around, after the 495th Squadron arrives.

https://www.stripes.com/news/thundervar ... h-1.645311

“There will be two squadrons of F35A’s, the 495th will be the first”

So from this it’s clear the F15C will not leave when the first Squadron of F35’s arrives next autumn.

The 493rd are Raytheon Trophy winners again for the top Fighter Squadron in the USAF 2020, this and potential upgrades to the F15C means it will be around a while longer yet Better still will they convert to F35A’s and provide that other, yet to be defined Squadron? After all it’s a single seater fighter just like the ‘C’

Time will tell

Assume the 495th being the first of the F-35A squadrons, the 493rd will become the second, at which point the F-15C will go as their F-35A are delivered.. so never more than 4 squadrons at LN.

[XWP29]

Thought Lakenheath is to lose the F-15C squadron when the F-35 arrives.. so back to 4 squadrons like in the F-111 days..

On at least two occasions the Stars and Stripes have reported that the 493rd will be around, after the 495th Squadron arrives.

https://www.stripes.com/news/thundervar ... h-1.645311

“There will be two squadrons of F35A’s, the 495th will be the first”

So from this it’s clear the F15C will not leave when the first Squadron of F35’s arrives next autumn.

The 493rd are Raytheon Trophy winners again for the top Fighter Squadron in the USAF 2020, this and potential upgrades to the F15C means it will be around a while longer yet Better still will they convert to F35A’s and provide that other, yet to be defined Squadron? After all it’s a single seater fighter just like the ‘C’

Time will tell

Assume the 495th being the first of the F-35A squadrons, the 493rd will become the second, at which point the F-15C will go as their F-35A are delivered.. so never more than 4 squadrons at LN.

There is no assumption, it’s clear the first will be the 495th, the second squadron is not yet known, nor is the timing.

There is no official word that there will or will not be 4 or more based at one time. Is there? If not that is speculation at this time.