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

[Snoop 95]

That is indeed good news as the announcement about the stationing of the F35's left the question of the F15's very much open. I imagine that the C's and D's will have gone by the time the 35's arrive if not well before, but it will be fantastic to have a 'full house' of jets again, a situation not seen since cold war days.

[Shot12778]

Maybe an extra runway at LN might be contemplated (squeeze alongside the other?) as it can be seen that F15s regularly have to divert to the Hall after one has taken the barrier etc- unless they setup a diversion agreement with Marham or elsewhere???

[the concerned]

I see the latest air combat magazine is stating that the f-15c's will be retired in 2017 which will leave Lakenheath with just the e's and jsf's when they come

[Velvet Glove]

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-32086585

[Headancer]

What is that MP talking about ?

Either the base stays open and given the current strains with Russia that may be a possibility or it shuts !

If somebody else moves in it simply means closing a base elsewhere so what is the point in that ?

The only other option is Marshalls moving in as they would be able to sell Cambridge for housing.

I doubt anybody is going to build a housing estate at The Hall because there is nothing else actually there a substantial number 50% of the current properties are private landlords anyway renting to the Americans.

I'm at a loss to see what the other options are, can anybody else ?

[POL]

The RAF are getting F-35s, and they are sharing facilities (with the Navy). Why would the RAF move from Marham when work has already begun to make it suitable for F-35 operations? Surely if they were going to move anywhere to share F-35 resources with the USAF, it would be Lakenheath?

Sound like normal inside the wire speculation and wild guesswork to me. But then, that's what's going on outside the wire too...

[bobthehandyman]

The word on Lakenheath is that the RAF are also getting F-35's and will be shearing some facilities. Could a move from Marham to Mildenhall be on the cards? They are doing a lot of construction on Mildenhall for a base that is scheduled to close, even putting new roads in. I guess we will find out in September.

During the 80's the yanks were spending and building on just about every base in the UK, then they closed a vast majority of them, it's seems if it's been budgeted for, build it.

[RJ79]

If it's been budgeted for then it's built as normally it's cheaper to build it than pay the penalties for pulling out!

[Phoon]

The word on Lakenheath is that the RAF are also getting F-35's and will be shearing some facilities. Could a move from Marham to Mildenhall be on the cards? They are doing a lot of construction on Mildenhall for a base that is scheduled to close, even putting new roads in. I guess we will find out in September.

During the 80's the yanks were spending and building on just about every base in the UK, then they closed a vast majority of them, it's seems if it's been budgeted for, build it.

Indeed. The company I worked for was engaged with several large projects at Bentwaters, Woodbridge, Upper Heyford and Alconbury - some of which only had around three or four years use after completion.

[Skip]

Mildenhall not closing until 2021 apparently

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/raf_mildenh ... _1_4197201

[bizfreeq]

That's what it always was, the rundown starting in 2018 culminating in closure 2021. It's all in this thread in the first 3 pages

[Skip]

I thought the close down date was 2020 but then I didn't look back and check either! I assumed cos of the bit in the local paper it was delayed a year. Doh.

[bizfreeq]

The 2020 was, as far as I recall, the end date for the stand up of two F35 squadrons at Lakenheath

[Unknown74]

The best thing would be Mildenhall International Airport, either that or an Industrial Estate.

[Nighthawke]

I would love to see it being an airport but with Norwich (underutilised IMHO) and Stansted both within an hour's drive I cannot see it happening.

[Vulcanone]

Well lets hope Marshalls see the light.....

And move in

Given that the council in Cambridge has had plans for years at Teversham it seems?

T

[tm74sqn]

I would love to see it being an airport but with Norwich (underutilised IMHO) and Stansted both within an hour's drive I cannot see it happening.

Mildenhall, of course, has a much longer runway than Horsham St Faith - whoops! I mean Norwich Airport. But neither likely to be developed . . . .
TM74

[bobthehandyman]

Not sure about that! Nimrod upgrades? Cat and trap/ski jump on new carriers? Different variants of F35? I know its hardware rather than infrastructure, but if history is anything to go by, it wont matter what's been budgeted for and started....it will be chopped regardless.

When did the USAF have Nimrods? The remarks about budgets are purely about the USAF, anyone around in the 80's will remember that buildings were going up on bases that were closing,

[filmman]

1997 NATO/Russian treaty prohibits the permanent stationing of substantial NATO forces in former Warsaw Pact countries that join NATO.
Russia (Putin) invades Georgia and then Ukraine, illegally annexes the Crimea and keeps Ukraine conflict going; NATO rules prohibit conflict countries from joining NATO.
2014 USA forces in Europe down to 28,000 with no tanks and all Apaches leaving for USA: new USA political/military doctrine identifies Pacific and Artic oil as priories, not Europe. 2015 USA returns 200 tanks to Europe.
Russian military doctrine recently revised publicly to include the 'normal' use of battlefield Nukes.
After USAF announced leaving Mildenhall, MOD said there would be a statement about its future use in September 2015, strong rumour that Marshalls interested in selling Cambridge airfield for housing and moving to Mildenhall.
2015 USAF starts significant ANG temporary deployments to new NATO States.
2015 new USA Chief of Staff appointed,in August he launches review of insufficient USA forces in Europe, to report by October and be passed onto the President; rumoured that report will recomend, amongst other things, permanent basing of one USA Army battalion in each Baltic State and Poland.
In September MOD said September Mildenhall announcement had not been a definite date; shorthand for no announcement until USA tells us to make one.
Fallout, precursor of end of UK cuts (peace dividend) and HMG having to increase defence spending. Minimum, Nimrod replacement (Kawasaki P1 or P8)?

Filmman

[Snoop 95]

It is 12 months to the day since the USAF announced closure of Mildenhall and despite assurances that future plans would be revealed within 6 months of that date, nothing has been heard. Article in EADT here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-35253172