RAF Mildenhall - ready to go?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, Monte Carlo and Bermuda (I wish!)
Age: 80
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RAF Mildenhall - ready to go?
The possible withdrawal of the USAF from RAF Mildenhall in a few years must open up the use of this ready-to-go major airbase as a new regional airport serving London and the east. With its 9k' runway, excellent position and infrastructure it is surely not going to be just turned over to housing or light industry. The closeness of the RAF regiment at Honington, and Marham, not to mention the USAF at Lakenheath would be very useful from the security point of view. Planning consents would also be easier to organise. Road and rail access would have to be improved but I cannot see too many problems. I will be interested to read the views of more knowledgable pruners on this.
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Rochford
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The possible withdrawal of the USAF from RAF Mildenhall in a few years must open up the use of this ready-to-go major airbase as a new regional airport serving London and the east. With its 9k' runway, excellent position and infrastructure it is surely not going to be just turned over to housing or light industry. The closeness of the RAF regiment at Honington, and Marham, not to mention the USAF at Lakenheath would be very useful from the security point of view. Planning consents would also be easier to organise. Road and rail access would have to be improved but I cannot see too many problems. I will be interested to read the views of more knowledgable pruners on this.
Not another regional airport 
Population density around there is pretty low.
Any airport development within a hundred miles of there needs to be Heathrow.
Or massively expand Stansted. There's not much in the way of development around there, build another 2 runways and improve the motorway and rail links, lots of car parks and you solve part of the London Airports capacity issue.
:roll eyes: If only it were that easy.
Population density around there is pretty low.
Any airport development within a hundred miles of there needs to be Heathrow.
Or massively expand Stansted. There's not much in the way of development around there, build another 2 runways and improve the motorway and rail links, lots of car parks and you solve part of the London Airports capacity issue.
:roll eyes: If only it were that easy.
excellent position and infrastructure
As for the infrastructure, forget it, it would all need to be leveled.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Luton
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If ever there was a lost opportunity with a USAF base closure it was Upper Heyford (on the M40 and mainline rail) or Alconbury (on the A1 and ECML).
EGUN catchment area is far too limited for significant pax ops surely too far from London to draw in traffic that would use STN anyway
Only reasonable suggestion might be turn CBG over to housing and relocate the maintenance/painting business and occasional bizjet traffic to Mildenhall.
EGUN catchment area is far too limited for significant pax ops surely too far from London to draw in traffic that would use STN anyway
Only reasonable suggestion might be turn CBG over to housing and relocate the maintenance/painting business and occasional bizjet traffic to Mildenhall.
Only reasonable suggestion might be turn CBG over to housing and relocate the maintenance/painting business and occasional bizjet traffic to Mildenhall.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ijatta
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My apologies to all the Mildenhall residents whose rest and well being I disturbed while making all those godawful water injection takeoffs.
I sure do miss Mildenhall. Especially Mrs Greenacre, The Bell, and the fish and chips take away restaurant.
Thanks to you all for being such gracious hosts!!
I sure do miss Mildenhall. Especially Mrs Greenacre, The Bell, and the fish and chips take away restaurant.
Thanks to you all for being such gracious hosts!!
If ever there was a lost opportunity with a USAF base closure it was Upper Heyford (on the M40 and mainline rail) or Alconbury (on the A1 and ECML).
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cheshire
Age: 45
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It will be used to house units returning from Germany due to the major draw down in troops stationed there now. Seeing as the MOD is struggling for space this will be the likely outcome imho.
The market is already over fragmented between competing airports ripping each other throats out, there is no call for yet another IMHO.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Next to Ross and Demelza
Age: 53
Posts: 1,235
Received 52 Likes
on
21 Posts
How on earth could Mildenhall be used to service London? You could just as well rebrand Bristol as London Bristol. I would agree that Greenham Common was the ideal answer, but there ya go.
And I would not expect to see any use of the base by the MoD following the US withdrawal; it has been mentioned before that due to the electrical wiring system being set up for the American voltage system on USAF bases that the cost of rewiring them for British use has always been seen as a major factor in not moving into them on a wholesale basis.
And I would not expect to see any use of the base by the MoD following the US withdrawal; it has been mentioned before that due to the electrical wiring system being set up for the American voltage system on USAF bases that the cost of rewiring them for British use has always been seen as a major factor in not moving into them on a wholesale basis.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Starring at an Airfield Near you
Posts: 371
Received 15 Likes
on
7 Posts
Not absolutely sure, but won’t all the ‘lecky be 110V? 
Wasn’t that a major reason that the Bentwaters/Woodbridge/Alconbury weren’t re-absorbed into the RAF fold? Perhaps Wannabee777 could clarify, as he was clearly based there at some point.
(Durr - sorry. Drafted post - got distracted - hit send after M the M's post.....)
Wasn’t that a major reason that the Bentwaters/Woodbridge/Alconbury weren’t re-absorbed into the RAF fold? Perhaps Wannabee777 could clarify, as he was clearly based there at some point.
(Durr - sorry. Drafted post - got distracted - hit send after M the M's post.....)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ijatta
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was on temporary duty at RAF Mildenhall on two or three occasions back in the '70's.
To be honest, I don't recall what type of electrical system they were using.
I'm pretty sure the BOQ was wired for 220v.
To be honest, I don't recall what type of electrical system they were using.
I'm pretty sure the BOQ was wired for 220v.
I'd imagine that CBG could be sold for a very handsome profit, Cambridge does after all have some of the most expensive residential property values in the UK after London. Marshalls would gain more space/less congested airspace for their successful business and the regional aspect of the airport could perhaps mildly expand, though it would cannibalise the other airports and their business models. Luton's non-scheduled ramps could do with a decluttering for example, though they'd be unwilling to let that sector go. For the operators, more space, lower fees etc might prove tempting. Heli-transfer times to London would only be 10-15mins longer.
There's even something for Michael O'Leary at Mildenhall, the several barns of the 9th SRW would be up his street to act as low-cost terminals
SHJ
There's even something for Michael O'Leary at Mildenhall, the several barns of the 9th SRW would be up his street to act as low-cost terminals
SHJ
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As of yesterday, Mildenhall's fate was sealed by the Ministry of Defence. As soon as the Americans pull out, the airfield will be developed for housing. Because of the timescale involved they hope to get all the development plans in place before pullout. It is considered the perfect place for housing due to the city of Cambridge expanding. Other airfields and MOD sites in the UK have been identified for closure in order to keep the MOD's costs down.