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RAF Mildenhall: USAF to make announcement on airbase future USAF to pull out of airbases at Mildenhall, Alconbury and Molesworth
(35 minutes later)
The United States Air Force is set to make an announcement on its future use of three UK airbases, amid reports they will close. The United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed it will pull out of three UK airbases.
The independent Stars & Stripes magazine said the US government has decided to pull out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Alconbury and Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Americans will leave RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.
A statement from the USAF said a review of operations in Europe was "ongoing". The move is part of a programme to save £320m ($500m) a year across Europe. The USAF lease the RAF bases.
It said an official announcement was "anticipated" during the afternoon. Mr Hagel said he understood it would mean job losses and thanked those who had supported the US Air Force.
The USAF leases the Royal Air Force bases from the UK government. "I know that this will result in a reduction of our local host nations workforces at some locations; I value the tremendous support they provided us for decades."
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The US Department of Defence (DoD) has been reviewing its requirement for bases across Europe as part of (its) European infrastructure consolidation review. The USAF KC-135 tanker fleet based at Mildenhall will be moved to Germany.
"We expect the DoD to announce the results of the review today and we will make a detailed statement in parallel." RAF Lakenheath, with two squadrons of new F-35 jets (48 of them) arriving by 2020, will be the aircraft's only European base.
The Pentagon said the loss of about 2,000 US military and civilian personnel is due to relocation away from Mildenhall, but will be offset by the addition of about 1,200 people stationed permanently at Lakenheath.
West Suffolk MP and Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy Matthew Hancock said he would support the community affected.
Mildenhall had a long and proud history of strong relations with the United States Air Force and the move "will come as a shock to many", he said.
"I have met with the Defence Secretary, and others in government to ensure we can work, together with the American administration, to support the community.
"We will create a Mildenhall, Alconbury and Molesworth (MAM) Working Group, which I will chair, inviting local LEPs, councils, the Ministry of Defence, and US representatives to ensure no stone is left unturned in supporting Mildenhall and the surrounding area."
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The US Department of Defence (DoD) has been reviewing its requirement for bases across Europe as part of (its) European infrastructure consolidation review."
RAF Mildenhall is used as a transport hub by the USAF and is home to air refuelling tankers and special operations forces.RAF Mildenhall is used as a transport hub by the USAF and is home to air refuelling tankers and special operations forces.
It has about 3,200 military personnel, with 400-500 UK civilian staff employed there.It has about 3,200 military personnel, with 400-500 UK civilian staff employed there.
Reports suggested the USAF was planning to expand operations at neighbouring RAF Lakenheath by basing two squadrons of F-35 jets there.
Both bases are in the Forest Heath District Council area.Both bases are in the Forest Heath District Council area.
James Waters, leader of the council, said: "We are very aware this affects the lives of many people in our community, so we do not want to add to that speculation.James Waters, leader of the council, said: "We are very aware this affects the lives of many people in our community, so we do not want to add to that speculation.
"However if these reports turn out to be true, then clearly it would mean huge changes, but I firmly believe that every change brings opportunities and I would be optimistic that, given the strengths and resilience of our local community and west Suffolk, we can work with our partners to ensure we make the most of any new opportunities.""However if these reports turn out to be true, then clearly it would mean huge changes, but I firmly believe that every change brings opportunities and I would be optimistic that, given the strengths and resilience of our local community and west Suffolk, we can work with our partners to ensure we make the most of any new opportunities."
USAF basesUSAF bases
By Jonathan Marcus, BBC Defence and Diplomatic CorrespondentBy Jonathan Marcus, BBC Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent
For some years now the US military has been reviewing its bases in Europe, eager to reduce its footprint to rationalise and cut costs.For some years now the US military has been reviewing its bases in Europe, eager to reduce its footprint to rationalise and cut costs.
In part it is due to budget constraints but it is also driven by strategic changes as the Pentagon turns its gaze increasingly towards the Asia-Pacific.In part it is due to budget constraints but it is also driven by strategic changes as the Pentagon turns its gaze increasingly towards the Asia-Pacific.
RAF Mildenhall has been an important base for the Americans since the early 1950s when it was home to strategic bombers.RAF Mildenhall has been an important base for the Americans since the early 1950s when it was home to strategic bombers.
Currently it houses US Air Force Special Forces and a fleet of air-to-air tankers.Currently it houses US Air Force Special Forces and a fleet of air-to-air tankers.
The latter, though less glamorous than fast jets, are some of the most important elements of the USAF, described by one analyst as the "kryptonite" of modern air power.The latter, though less glamorous than fast jets, are some of the most important elements of the USAF, described by one analyst as the "kryptonite" of modern air power.
They enable combat and support aircraft to reach their targets and to remain over combat zones for the time needed to carry out their missions.They enable combat and support aircraft to reach their targets and to remain over combat zones for the time needed to carry out their missions.
It is likely that the KC-135 tankers from Mildenhall will move to a US base in Germany.It is likely that the KC-135 tankers from Mildenhall will move to a US base in Germany.
British defence sources are eager to stress that the base closures here - two US-run communications stations at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire are also to shut down - do not represent any dilution of Washington's commitment to European security.British defence sources are eager to stress that the base closures here - two US-run communications stations at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire are also to shut down - do not represent any dilution of Washington's commitment to European security.
Indeed RAF Lakenheath is due to host two squadrons of new F-35 aircraft when they enter service.Indeed RAF Lakenheath is due to host two squadrons of new F-35 aircraft when they enter service.
Over recent months the Americans have deployed small but significant reinforcements to Europe to reassure NATO allies like Poland and the Baltic republics in the wake of Russia's actions against Ukraine.Over recent months the Americans have deployed small but significant reinforcements to Europe to reassure NATO allies like Poland and the Baltic republics in the wake of Russia's actions against Ukraine.
There was a brief moment after 2013 when all US tanks had been withdrawn from Europe.There was a brief moment after 2013 when all US tanks had been withdrawn from Europe.
At the height of the Cold War there were 20 US armoured divisions here or about 6,000 tanks.At the height of the Cold War there were 20 US armoured divisions here or about 6,000 tanks.
Today about a battalion's worth are back in Europe exercising with allies.Today about a battalion's worth are back in Europe exercising with allies.
But the Pentagon has plans to store an armoured brigade's worth of equipment - some 150 tanks along with other armoured vehicles - in Europe by 2015.But the Pentagon has plans to store an armoured brigade's worth of equipment - some 150 tanks along with other armoured vehicles - in Europe by 2015.
RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth are used as USAF communications bases, rather than for flying, and their operations were expected to move to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth are used as USAF communications bases, rather than for flying, and their operations were expected to move to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
The USAF has about 750 military personnel at the two Cambridgeshire bases, with a further 1,500 civilian employees and dependents.The USAF has about 750 military personnel at the two Cambridgeshire bases, with a further 1,500 civilian employees and dependents.
Jason Ablewhite, leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said the news was "hugely disappointing" as both bases contributed about £40m a year to the local economy.Jason Ablewhite, leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said the news was "hugely disappointing" as both bases contributed about £40m a year to the local economy.