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

[Agent K]

Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"

I'm looking forward to them "defiantly" moving them to Fairford. As for your RAF source, he's in breech of his official secrets act signature, you should name and report him.

Meanwhile my best friends dogs groomers husbands Uncle is an Air Vice Marshall in the RAF and told me they're basing them at RAF Henlow.

[Nighthawke]

So the AVM should know better too...

[Tally-ho]

Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"

The "nameless RAF source" was "defiantly" (in defiance of sense and sensibility) spouting forth unnecessarily - definitely defiantly.

[johnwayne]

Iv just been speaking to a nameless RAF source, who has said that the RC135s will be moving to Fairford in two years time, he said " it's defiantly happening, i was in the meeting"

That'll be AVM Paul Bolton then...

[quid21]

That could be an interesting move, I wonder if that will have any affect on future RIAT shows?
Didn't they scrub the Waddo shows because they no longer wanted the public wandering around on an installation that deals with intelligence gathering etc?

Still seems daft to move it all out of Mildenhall when the base is already up and running for such operations.

TankBuster

The USAF held countless air shows while RC-135s were deployed at Mildenhall. I remember one coming back from an operational mission doing a fly past before landing at one Air fete. Not to mention while the SR's were there. So long as anything secretive is the far side of the runway from the public viewing areas there's no problem.

[page_verify]

Confirmation of the world's worst kept secret has finally happened - surely if the RAF's RC-135s are moving to Fairford then.... .... ....

Agent K - that kind of information isn't "classified" these days, so I doubt there's any OSA issues, more commercial in confidence breaches if anything.....

[Lossie]

Michael Fallon to ask SecDef about Mildenhall.
http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/elect ... -1-5011816

[page_verify]

It's finally happened according to the US FY18 Defense Budget

Closure of RAF Mildenhall is driving the relocation of the 488 IS and 95 RS from RAF Mildenhall to RAF Fairford. No facility is available for the 488 IS to support the RC-135 mission coming to RAF Fairford. There are no facilities on RAF Fairford for the 95 RS to use as a squadron operations facility.
In addition, failure to provide an adequate permanent facility for the 488 IS and 95 RS will prevent the timely closure of RAF Mildenhall and puts at risk the associated base operating and support (BOS) costs savings associated with European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) until new permanent facilities are constructed at RAF Fairford.


RAF Fairford is an inactive base utilized for numerous training missions with partner nations to include B-52, B-1, B-2, and other aircraft. Future missions include the RC-135.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2018
INDEX - OUTSIDE THE US

RAF Fairford
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Intel and Squad Ops Facility - $38m
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Runway Overrun Reconfiguration - $5.5m
European Infrastructure Consolidation - RC-135 Infrastructure - $2.15m

For reference

RAF Lakenheath
Consolidated Corrosion Control Facility - $20m
F-35A F-15 Parking $10.8m
F-35A Flight Simulator Facility $22m
F-35A Field Training Detachment Facility - $12.492m
F-35A Infrastructure - $6.7m
F-35A 6-Bay Hangar $24m
F-35A Squadron Operations and AMU $41m

RAF Mildenhall
Nothing


The source document is here http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/Portals/84/d ... 153715-980

[johnwayne]

Well spotted that man & thanks for sharing - have you read all 380 pages ?

[page_verify]

I did a search and then read the two dozen pages about Fairford and Lakenheath, does that count?
The detailed texts about Lakenheath give some interesting insights about who'll be "boss" there when the F-35s arrive.

[CHINOOKER]

As I read it,it will cost some $46m to upgrade Fairford for RC-135 ops....what is the cost of upgrading the facilities at Mildenhall currently projected at????

[EGNV]

Nice find and thanks for sharing! It also states the F-15C'S are due to leave.

[page_verify]

Nice find and thanks for sharing! It also states the F-15C'S are due to leave.

That's well hidden isn't it! I originally thought that keeping the 18 F-15Cs was why a larger parking ramp was required - but then it goes on to say they're leaving, perhaps just not soon enough.

[Agent K]

Also states for RAF Lakenheath: "Future missions include the F-35A and RC-135"

[EGNV]

Nice find and thanks for sharing! It also states the F-15C'S are due to leave.

That's well hidden isn't it! I originally thought that keeping the 18 F-15Cs was why a larger parking ramp was required - but then it goes on to say they're leaving, perhaps just not soon enough.

Any hope of them staying seems to be fading fast, looks like they need the space for the F-35's
Pages 197 and 206 for anyone interested.

[page_verify]

Indeed, four squadrons, each with 24 aircraft seems to be the plan.

[CHINOOKER]

Seems like some of the moves are akin to "squeezing a quart int a pint pot"....interesting read on Aviano,with the 57RQS having to basically work out of "temporary facilities",with all thier equipment etc scattered about!!....seems the bean counters in charge do not understand the operational side of things!!

[Nighthawke]

That's because bean counter only understand one thing - beans! Happens in all walks of life. I've spent all my working life in an engineering industry and the only times things go really well is when an engineer is in charge. Put an accountant in charge and things start going down rapidly - bloomin' penny pinchers!

[page_verify]

Seems like some of the moves are akin to "squeezing a quart int a pint pot"....interesting read on Aviano,with the 57RQS having to basically work out of "temporary facilities",with all thier equipment etc scattered about!!....seems the bean counters in charge do not understand the operational side of things!!

The funding is to provide housing for the 57RQS though because they don't currently have their own facilities.

[Lossie]

It is worth noting that under Lakenheath in that docuemnt it states one of the future missions as RC-135.