RAF Mildenhall is definitely closing

[Jacks Down]

Two things which aren't guesses:

1. It won't be left to quietly rot like Watton, Sculthorpe and West Raynham
2. There will be a glut of ex-rental 4 and 5 bedroom houses on the market!

[STN Ramp Rat]

the local MP was on BBC Look East quoting the defence secretary who has apparently said there is no military use for the base.


another forum highlights the fact that the base is likely wired to US voltages and therefore a return to UK use might be an issue

[Bigbux]

another forum highlights the fact that the base is likely wired to US voltages and therefore a return to UK use might be an issue

The pavements are also called "sidewalks", so there is likely to be a huge cost in their conversion.

[airsound]

bobward

All or part of the units at Alconbury will move to 'a base in Oxfordshire' (Croughton)?? As always, guesses are ten a penny this early on......

well, if you look at chopper2004's 'horses mouth' (otherwise known as USAFE) you see

Additionally in the U.K., intelligence and support elements located at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth will consolidate. This will be an investment into a new intelligence complex at RAF Croughton to create efficiencies in operational mission support. This consolidation will result in the divestiture of RAF Molesworth and RAF Alconbury in 2022 and the inactivation of the 501st Combat Support Wing.

It will also result in the projected reduction of approximately 200 military, civilian and local national positions from Alconbury-Molesworth and the relocation of 1,200 personnel to RAF Croughton.

So perhaps a bit better than guesses? And btw, Croughton is in Northamptonshire.

[Willard Whyte]

The pavements are also called "sidewalks", so there is likely to be a huge cost in their conversion.

Not to mention changing the roads from driving on the right to driving on the left.

[chopper2004]

Niggling questions - tanker and Fairford and Rivet Joint

Though unless I am reading too much into the official press releases, a couple of things come to mind (in the vain hope of the end is not quite in sight)

Fairford is not mentioned nor Menwith Hill in any of the closure plans. In spite of the Bloody Hundreth moving completely to Ramstein, there has to be some form or fashion a tanker or two to support activities from the 'Heath. Plus I recalled several times, the Quid tankers being scrambled cos either a flock of Bones or a lone C-17 or C-5 URGENTLY needed top up this side of the Pond (well more near Irish sea) and it will take a tad longer to get the tankers from Germany.

So does anyone here think that when the Heath is the be all and end all of USAFE flight ops in the UK?

The RC-135 are slated to stay within our green shores, so does that mean Waddo becomes an outpost of Nebraska's finest?

Our Rivet Joints will need a boom equipped tanker to support, and was it somewhere I read (on here?) that the take off with full fuel load was ummm interesting from Waddo. But imagine after the runway mod / upgrade it should not be a problem

It will take at least 3/4 years before the 'Hall becomes desolate in the meantime there will be a Presidential Election come 2016 and Obama has already done his two terms already. So in effect the next President could have a different view on this and revoke this decision?

What about GlobalStrike and Dragon Lady dets still in RIAT land?

Cheers

[thing]

that the take off with full fuel load was ummm interesting from Waddo. But imagine after the runway mod / upgrade it should not be a problem

Thought that was one of the main reasons for the upgrade?

[NutLoose]

Two F35 squadrons will move in to Lakenheath. However, they didn't say if some of the F15's currently there would leave. I'd suggest that the '15C fighters would go and be replaced by the '35's, plus another squadron, making a net 'increase' of one squadron. This would bring the 48FW up to the four squadron establishment it had a few years ago.

The F35 will probably just use the place as a holding unit while they move onto their new all singing all dancing Elizabeth class carriers..

[salad-dodger]

Our Rivet Joints will need a boom equipped tanker to support, and was it somewhere I read (on here?) that the take off with full fuel load was ummm interesting from Waddo. But imagine after the runway mod / upgrade it should not be a problem

What makes you think the runway will be longer.........?

S-D

[Martin the Martian]

I'm sure that the 493rd FS is already due to disband, which would leave just the two F-15E squadrons at Lakenheath. I'm willing to put money down that both will 'transition' to F-35As and the F-15 will disappear from UK shores.

[bobward]

Airsound
My apologies for getting my locations askew.

That might be the reason why their Airships turned me down when I applied for navigator many years ago......

[pr00ne]

bobward,

You 'applied' for navigator!!?

Didn't think that anybody did that, let alone openly admitted it...

[ValMORNA]

Chopper2004,


Menwith Hill is partially 'crewed' by UK civilians and I can't see the US allowing it to be totally taken over by the UK organisation which oversees such activities.


VM

[andrewn]

The likely future for Mildenhall? I feel an "Enterprise Zone" coming on, which means a mixed use residential and business park. I seriously doubt our Govt put up much opposition to this closure, given the attractiveness of a new overspill for Cambridge / Newmarket.


Lakenheath? Not fully clear yet, but there appears to be a "gap" of 3-4yrs between F-15's departing and F-35A's arriving. Plenty of time for things to settle on the Eastern Front. On that basis I'd be VERY surprised if any Lightning II's ever make it over...


But maybe I'm just a cynic?

[ZH875]

Just use it as a new runway for London. No need to remove villages from the map to serve the southerners.

[pr00ne]

ZH875

Do you know where Mildenhall is? Ever tried to drive there? Ever heard of Stanstead?

[ZH875]

I have heard of London Oxford and London Manston so why not London Mildenhall? Why put more of this country under tarmac when Mildenhall has a runway of decent length?

[pr00ne]

ZH875,

Because that runway is in MILDENHALL!!

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by ZH875

Just use it as a new runway for London. No need to remove villages from the map to serve the southerners.

Any proposal for how people will get to and from there, given it's, relatively speaking, in the middle of nowhere with naff all public transport links to anywhere else.....

[chopper2004]

as a local, Mildenhall is difficult to access from anywhere, plus at times, the approach into Runway 06 overshoots Runway 11 at Mildenhall, which would make commercial flights approach and lift off from 29 very interesting..

Btw whats happening with Fairford/Welford ? Is it continue to stay under Croughton's guise....

cheers