US looks to joint RC-135 base with the UK
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US looks to joint RC-135 base with the UK
A senior US Air Force officer has revealed that the service could set up a joint base with the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) for Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic and signal intelligence aircraft operations after the closure of the USAF's Mildenhall air base in 2022.
US looks to joint RC-135 base with the UK | IHS Jane's 360
US looks to joint RC-135 base with the UK | IHS Jane's 360
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I hope the new (Trump) administration keeps the Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic and signal intelligence aircraft operations at Mildenhall and scraps the 2022 closure date.
In an interview with Air Force Magazine, the publication of the Air Force Association lobby group, Colonel Thomas D Torkelson was quoted as saying, "The UK doesn't like Waddington as a long-term solution for their Rivet Joints because the runway is too short and they require a tanker for every mission from there."
...yet?
why the assumption that it would be a US flagged base?
no one would, i assume, think that either the RAF or USAF has the money or inclination to reactivate a mothballed base and build significant infrastructure there for just a handful of aircraft to operate from - when the RAF RC-135 fleet is at full chat there'll still often only be one in the UK, how many USAF RC-135's are usually sat on the ramp at Mildenhall?
if such a thing happens i'd put good money on the US put its visiting RC's at Waddington...
no one would, i assume, think that either the RAF or USAF has the money or inclination to reactivate a mothballed base and build significant infrastructure there for just a handful of aircraft to operate from - when the RAF RC-135 fleet is at full chat there'll still often only be one in the UK, how many USAF RC-135's are usually sat on the ramp at Mildenhall?
if such a thing happens i'd put good money on the US put its visiting RC's at Waddington...
why the assumption that it would be a US flagged base?
no one would, i assume, think that either the RAF or USAF has the money or inclination to reactivate a mothballed base and build significant infrastructure there for just a handful of aircraft to operate from - when the RAF RC-135 fleet is at full chat there'll still often only be one in the UK, how many USAF RC-135's are usually sat on the ramp at Mildenhall?
if such a thing happens i'd put good money on the US put its visiting RC's at Waddington..
no one would, i assume, think that either the RAF or USAF has the money or inclination to reactivate a mothballed base and build significant infrastructure there for just a handful of aircraft to operate from - when the RAF RC-135 fleet is at full chat there'll still often only be one in the UK, how many USAF RC-135's are usually sat on the ramp at Mildenhall?
if such a thing happens i'd put good money on the US put its visiting RC's at Waddington..
And don't just think USAF RC-135s. When you consider they also operate 135 variants such as the OC-135 and the E4 out of Mildenhall, not to mention AAR then it starts to make sense to consider a centralised 135 facility for all types.
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The runway at Waddington is only 67 metres less in length than Mildenhall, if it makes a difference, then surely it could be extended a tad, especially if the A15 divert goes ahead.
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From the BINA:
Mildenhall:
RW11 TORA/LDA 9240ft TODA/ASDA 10,240ft
RW29 TORA/LDA 9240ft TODA/ASDA 10,240ft
Waddington:
RW02 TORA/ASDA/LDA 9000ft TODA 9164ft
RW20 TORA/ASDA/LDA 9000ft TODA 9000ft
Mildenhall:
RW11 TORA/LDA 9240ft TODA/ASDA 10,240ft
RW29 TORA/LDA 9240ft TODA/ASDA 10,240ft
Waddington:
RW02 TORA/ASDA/LDA 9000ft TODA 9164ft
RW20 TORA/ASDA/LDA 9000ft TODA 9000ft
Last edited by ExAscoteer; 19th Jan 2017 at 17:03.
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UK MOD retain Mildenhall on handover. Close Waddington 
Last edited by Roadster280; 20th Jan 2017 at 02:25. Reason: Add smiley to make it obvious I am not being serious
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Not really a starter. They looked at moving into Woodbridge/Bentwaters as a clutch airfield when the USAF moved out; the cost of replacing everything they ripped out and took home, retiring the entire base electrical system with 230V, changing the roads etc etc ran into hundreds of £M, just wasn't economic.
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Declared distances as currently published show that Mildenhall has stopway on both ends, giving it about 400m advantage in ASDA over Waddington.
EGXW
02 TORA/ASDA 8,864ft/2,702m, TODA 9,324ft/2,841m, LDA 8,996ft/2,742m
20 TORA/ASDA/LDA 8,999ft/2,743m, TODA 9,230ft/2,813m
EGUN
11/29 TORA/TODA/LDA 9,202ft/2,805m, ASDA 10,203ft/3,110m
EGXW
02 TORA/ASDA 8,864ft/2,702m, TODA 9,324ft/2,841m, LDA 8,996ft/2,742m
20 TORA/ASDA/LDA 8,999ft/2,743m, TODA 9,230ft/2,813m
EGUN
11/29 TORA/TODA/LDA 9,202ft/2,805m, ASDA 10,203ft/3,110m