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

[quid21]

Seems a bit daft, and a waste of funds by moving the 352nd SOG to Germany?

Why build new pads & hangars when the facilities already exist in the UK, not to mention that the UK offers better training areas for these units. I personally cannot see what advantage they will have by re-locating to Spang. The 352nd have operated out of Mildenhall for years, so what has really changed, as all current theatres of war have always been reachable from this location!

The infrastructure at Mildenhall is totally outdated. If they would stay at Mildenhall they have to spend as much money as they have to spend at Spangdahlem. The training opportunities in the UK are not that good as you think. Nowadays most of the Missions are flown without special forces troops. Only the Aircrews of 352 SOW are on board. The special forces troops are currently based at "Panzer Kaserne" Böblingen, Germany. In the next years those units will move to Baumholder. At Baumholder and Grafenwöhr you can find some excellent military training areas where both parts of a successful special forces team (Air and Ground Troops) can train together under real wartime scenarios. Also training with allied and partner forces is better accessible from Germany. As Example. If they want to train with the German KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte at Calw, they will need 20 minutes to reach their training area from Spangdahlem. Nowadays they need nearly 2 hours. Germany offers pretty good low flying areas as well, the Mosel Valley. The Multinational Aircrew Electronic Warfare Tactics Facility POLYGONE will be also interesting for the 352nd SOW Aircrews.
Currently construction work is going on in the former 81st FS. (Not 352nd SOW related). Time will tell for which aircraft...

If my memory serves I thought they had loads of building works at Mildenhall for the 352d.

[gurkha1]

Found a thread from a think tank in the US that they are looking at Eastern Europe i.e Bulgaria -Romania and Poland to station the F35's that were for the UK.
They would bring all those bases to US standard and lengthen the runways for possible B-1 deployment aswell,this would be a blow for the uk and it's economy.
But Fairford was mentioned as a possible joint base with Brize Norton as space is at a premium there at present.
Seems the US are a bit nervous about Russia being agressive and want to put as much as they can eastward.
Hope this is rumours and not defo !!! (hope this sends)

[TankBuster]

Seems a bit daft, and a waste of funds by moving the 352nd SOG to Germany?

Why build new pads & hangars when the facilities already exist in the UK, not to mention that the UK offers better training areas for these units. I personally cannot see what advantage they will have by re-locating to Spang. The 352nd have operated out of Mildenhall for years, so what has really changed, as all current theatres of war have always been reachable from this location!

The infrastructure at Mildenhall is totally outdated. If they would stay at Mildenhall they have to spend as much money as they have to spend at Spangdahlem. The training opportunities in the UK are not that good as you think. Nowadays most of the Missions are flown without special forces troops. Only the Aircrews of 352 SOW are on board. The special forces troops are currently based at "Panzer Kaserne" Böblingen, Germany. In the next years those units will move to Baumholder. At Baumholder and Grafenwöhr you can find some excellent military training areas where both parts of a successful special forces team (Air and Ground Troops) can train together under real wartime scenarios. Also training with allied and partner forces is better accessible from Germany. As Example. If they want to train with the German KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte at Calw, they will need 20 minutes to reach their training area from Spangdahlem. Nowadays they need nearly 2 hours. Germany offers pretty good low flying areas as well, the Mosel Valley. The Multinational Aircrew Electronic Warfare Tactics Facility POLYGONE will be also interesting for the 352nd SOW Aircrews.
Currently construction work is going on in the former 81st FS. (Not 352nd SOW related). Time will tell for which aircraft...

If my memory serves I thought they had loads of building works at Mildenhall for the 352d.

Yes, they did have a lot of building/construction work carried out for the 352nd SOG, this work cost a fortune and it was all done in order to accommodate the Ospreys .
It doesn't make sense does it, but then again look what they did at Bentwaters all those years ago... Spent $88 million dollars on improvements, and then closed the base two years later. I think the US tried to avoid that cost though when they decided to close the base, but the contracts with the construction companies had already been signed!

TankBuster

[quid21]

Yes, they did have a lot of building/construction work carried out for the 352nd SOG, this work cost a fortune and it was all done in order to accommodate the Ospreys .
It doesn't make sense does it, but then again look what they did at Bentwaters all those years ago... Spent $88 million dollars on improvements, and then closed the base two years later. I think the US tried to avoid that cost though when they decided to close the base, but the contracts with the construction companies had already been signed!

TankBuster

Doh!! Makes no sense at all!

[skysearcher]

oh no, where was the thread Gurkha?

[astor29]

Not sure how true it is but I have been told that the US Rc135s will be based at wadding on a new pan , with 2 new hangars plus taker support and maybe more. Another rumour is that the P8s will be at wadding in some way either based, maintenance other on try. Also the RAF are going to buy another RC135. Another word that I was told is that wadding will become a super base. Only time will tell.

[Thunder]

But the USAF are happy enough to allow 'Joe Public ' to walk around places like Eglin and Edwards, and it didn't seem to bother them when Air Fetes were held at Mildenhall when RC-135's and SR-71's operated from there.

[C24]

I heard something similar and that was the real reason for Waddington air show was cancelled. USAF were unhappy with Joe public wandering around. How true it is I have no idea

so why do they allow us to enjoy Base Visits to both RAFs Mildenhall & Lakenheath? I got the impression recently that it will just be too busy when it re-opens next year.

[Vulcanone]

Interesting considering the USAF used to let joe public onto Mildenhall, and I suspect Airshow and Base visit are a little different numbers wise

[Lossie]

Was announced in SDSR P-8s based at Lossie.

[Spitfire88]

Rc's going to Fairford not waddo

[tm74sqn]

I've heard that the USAF ones to Lakenheath - reliable source!
TM74

[galaxysi]

I would'nt have thought the RC's would operate out of Lakenheath, as the cables would cause a problem for them.They would have to be taken down for any movements to prevent ripping off the underside aerials, and that would interfere with the F15 ops.

[C24]

I would put a pound, sterling (or for those of you north of the Wall, Stirling) that the Rivet Joint(s) will operate from an airfield that has the Squadron's new admin suite.

[Dazza37]

I would'nt have thought the RC's would operate out of Lakenheath, as the cables would cause a problem for them.They would have to be taken down for any movements to prevent ripping off the underside aerials, and that would interfere with the F15 ops.

Mildenhall HAS arrestor gear installed, doesn't seem to interfere with RC-135 ops, so why would Lakenheath be any different?

-Dazza

[TankBuster]

The cables dont stop C-130, C-17, C5, KC-135, KC-10 landing on such equipped runways. Who knows where the RC-135s will go when & if Mildy closes, we'll have to wait and see on that one!

TankBuster

[conelrad]

My sources say Heathrow is the next RC location.

[POL]

My sources say Heathrow is the next RC location.

Mine says Northolt, which is why they're re-doing the runway there..?

[MRTT]

My sources say Heathrow is the next RC location.

Mine says my driveway!

[TeeJay]

I would'nt have thought the RC's would operate out of Lakenheath, as the cables would cause a problem for them.They would have to be taken down for any movements to prevent ripping off the underside aerials, and that would interfere with the F15 ops.

Mildenhall HAS arrestor gear installed, doesn't seem to interfere with RC-135 ops, so why would Lakenheath be any different?

-Dazza

Partially correct!

Yes, Mildenhall has cable gear but they are not deployed all the time. The cables are only rigged there is a requirement for them to be so, ie: Fighter aircraft arrival or departure.

Trev