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-   -   US looks to joint RC-135 base with the UK (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/589810-us-looks-joint-rc-135-base-uk.html)

plans123 19th Jan 2017 14:38

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

stewyb 19th Jan 2017 14:48

RAF Fairford being the obvious choice with long runway and an uncrowded base, unlike Lakenheath that will be rammed when up to speed with F35/F15 squadrons

ericsson16 19th Jan 2017 14:54

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.

BEagle 19th Jan 2017 14:56


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."
What a pity that the RAF cannot support that need with its rented boom-less Voyagers...


...yet?

cokecan 19th Jan 2017 15:03

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...

Melchett01 19th Jan 2017 15:26


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..
Waddington isn't the TARDIS that many seem to think it is - how many more types can you fit in there? And remember it's not just the actual jets you'd need to consider; Eng, Logs, accommodation etc all need to be factored in.

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.

ORAC 19th Jan 2017 16:01

Put them in at LM with the P-8s?

Tornado should be gone by then.

Navy_Adversary 19th Jan 2017 16:16

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.

Descend to What Height?!? 19th Jan 2017 16:23

Scampton has a lot of real estate, and is not too far from the rest of the ISTAR assets at Wado......

Oh, RAFAT ?

Hat, coat , door.....

ExAscoteer 19th Jan 2017 16:47

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

Il Duce 19th Jan 2017 16:50

That must be a very old BINA. Following the recent rebuild I believe the runway has actually "shrunk".

ExAscoteer 19th Jan 2017 17:04

Nah just me showing my age.

Coltishall. loved it 19th Jan 2017 18:33

Lakenheath. Build a hangar if needed. Easy

Tashengurt 19th Jan 2017 19:53

Hasn't Finningley got some soon to be free hangar space?

Roadster280 20th Jan 2017 02:24

UK MOD retain Mildenhall on handover. Close Waddington :)

ORAC 20th Jan 2017 06:08

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.

Arclite01 20th Jan 2017 08:58

ORAC - but the Army moved in and found it just fine !! :}

Arc

Evalu8ter 20th Jan 2017 09:22

Roadster, They can't close Waddington unless they've just resurfaced the runway.....oh....

thunderbird7 20th Jan 2017 09:34

But the pongos just run on hexiblocks, beer and chips. Electricity is a luxury :)

Brain Potter 20th Jan 2017 10:14

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


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