View source for RAF Lakenheath

{{Short description|Royal Air Force station near Eriswell, Suffolk, United Kingdom}}
{{Redirect|LKZ|a Russian plant|Leningrad Kirov Plant}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAF Lakenheath
| ensign=[[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]] 
| ensign_size=
| native_name = 
| partof = 
| location = 
| nearest_town = [[Brandon, Suffolk]]
| country = England
| image = R.A.F. Lakenheath and Thetford Forest, aerial 2017 - geograph.org.uk - 5536793.jpg
| caption = Aerial view of RAF Lakenheath
| image2 = [[File:United States Air Forces in Europe.svg||100px]]
| image2_size = 
| pushpin_map = Suffolk#UK#Europe
| pushpin_label = RAF Lakenheath
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|24|30|N|000|33|24|E|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| gridref = TL740820{{sfn|Birtles|2012|p=93}}
| type = [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] station ([[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom|US Visiting Forces]])
| code = 
| site_area = 727 hectares<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33240/DEDP09_annex_a.pdf|title=Defence Estates Development Plan (DEDP) 2009 – Annex A|date=3 July 2009|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence|page=18|access-date=27 January 2019}}</ref>
| height = 
| ownership = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| operator = [[United States Air Force]] 
| controlledby = [[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa]]
| open_to_public = 
| condition = Operational
| built = {{Start date|1940}}
| builder = 
| used = 1941–1944 ([[Royal Air Force]])<br>1948–present (US Air Force) <!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| materials = 
| fate = 
| battles = 
| events = 
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = [[48th Fighter Wing]]
| occupants = 
| elevation = {{Convert|10|m|0}}
| IATA =LKZ
| ICAO =EGUL
| FAA = 
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 03583
| r1-number = 05/23
| r1-length = {{Convert|2742|m|0}}
| r1-surface = Concrete/[[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
'''Royal Air Force Lakenheath''' or '''RAF Lakenheath''' {{Airport codes|LKZ|EGUL}} is a [[Royal Air Force station]] near the village of [[Lakenheath]] in [[Suffolk]], England, UK, {{Convert|4.7|mi}} north-east of [[Mildenhall, Suffolk|Mildenhall]] and {{Convert|8.3|mi}} west of [[Thetford]]. The installation's perimeter borders [[Brandon, Suffolk|Brandon]].

Despite being a RAF station, Lakenheath currently only hosts [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) units and military personnel. The host wing is the [[48th Fighter Wing]] (48 FW), also known as the Liberty Wing, assigned to [[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa]] (USAFE-AFAFRICA). The wing operates the [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]] and the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35A Lightning II]].

==History==

===First World War===
The first use of Lakenheath Warren as a [[Royal Flying Corps]] airfield was during the [[World War I|First World War]], when the area was made into a bombing and ground-attack range for aircraft flying from [[RAF Feltwell|RFC Feltwell]] and RFC Thetford.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lakenheath.onesuffolk.net/lakenheath-heritage/time-line/part-5-1900-1939ad/|title=Timeline Part 5|publisher=Lakenheath Heritage|access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref>

===Second World War===
In 1940, the [[Air Ministry]] selected Lakenheath as an alternative for nearby [[RAF Mildenhall]] and used it as a decoy airfield.<ref name=ms>{{cite web|url=http://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/outside_us/lakenheath.php|title=Lakenheath|publisher=The Military Standard|access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> Surfaced runways were constructed in 1941, with the main runway being {{convert|3,000|ft|m}}, and the two subsidiary runways at {{convert|2,000|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Factsheet-Display-Page/Article/297491/world-war-ii/|title=Lakenheath Factsheets|publisher=US Air Force| access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref>

In late 1941, Lakenheath was used by RAF flying units on detachment. The station soon functioned as a Mildenhall satellite base with [[Short Stirling]] bombers of [[No. 149 Squadron RAF|No. 149 Squadron]] dispersed from the parent airfield as conditions allowed. The squadron exchanged its [[Vickers Wellington]]s for Stirlings late in November 1941. After becoming fully operational with its new aircraft, the squadron moved into Lakenheath on 6 April 1942 and remained until mid 1944 when the squadron moved the short distance to [[RAF Methwold]], just inside Norfolk.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=62}} 

One Stirling pilot, [[Ron Middleton (VC)|Flight Sergeant Rawdon Middleton]], was posthumously awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for valour on the night of 28–29 November 1942, when despite serious face wounds and loss of blood from shell-fire during a raid on the [[Fiat]] works at [[Turin]] in Italy, he brought the damaged aircraft back towards southern England. With fuel nearly exhausted his crew were ordered to bail out.<ref name="EABowyer1979p137">{{Harvnb|Bowyer|1979|p=137.}}</ref>

On 21 June 1943, newly re-formed [[No. 199 Squadron RAF|No. 199 Squadron]] re-located to RAF Lakenheath as a second Stirling squadron.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=67}} It conducted mine laying operations at sea before moving to [[RAF North Creake]] in Norfolk on 1 May 1944.<ref name="EABowyer1979p138">{{Harvnb|Bowyer|1979|p=138.}}</ref> No. 149 Squadron ended its association with RAF Lakenheath the same month, taking its Stirlings to RAF Methwold.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=62}} The reason for the departure of the two bomber squadrons was Lakenheath's selection for upgrading to a Very Heavy Bomber airfield, which left the airfield closed to aircraft until April 1947.<ref name=ms/>

====Strategic Air Command====
[[File:307th Bombardment Group Boeing B-29A-75-BN Superfortress 44-62328 1948.jpg|thumb|[[307th Bombardment Group]] Boeing B-29A-75-BN Superfortress 44-62328 SAC 8th Air Force, at RAF Lakenheath, England during the [[Berlin Airlift]], 1948|alt=|left]]
[[File:Usaf-b-47-usafmuseum.jpg|thumb|USAF [[Boeing B-47 Stratojet|Boeing B-47E-50-LM]] (AF Serial No. 52-3363) in flight.]]
[[Cold War]] tensions with the [[Soviet Union]] in Europe began as early as 1946. In November, President [[Harry S. Truman]] ordered [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers to Europe. Truman decided to realign [[United States Air Forces Europe|United States Air Force Europe]] (USAFE) into a permanent combat-capable force. In July 1948, B-29s of the SAC [[2d Operations Group|2nd Bombardment Group]] were deployed to Lakenheath. The first USAFE host unit at Lakenheath was the 7504th Base Completion Squadron, being activated in 1949.<ref name=ms/> 

Amongst other units present were 3913 Air Base Sqdn (1953-55, Lt Col Archie Thomas), 3910 Installation Sqdn (1955-59, Maj John F Thomas), and 3910 Air Base Group (1955-59, Col L M Thomas).<ref name=ms/><ref>{{cite web |title=3910 Installation Squadron |url=https://usafunithistory.com/PDF/3000/3910%20INSTALLATIONS%20SQ.pdf |website=Department of the Air Force - Organizational Histories (usafunithistory.com) |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref>
On 30 April 1956, two [[Lockheed U-2]]s were [[airlift]]ed to Lakenheath to form CIA Detachment A. The first flight of the U-2 was on 21 May. The [[Central Intelligence Agency]] unit did not remain long, moving to [[Wiesbaden Air Base]], [[West Germany]] in June 1956.<ref name=Powers>{{Cite book |last=Powers |first=Francis |title=Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident |publisher=Potomac Books, Inc. |year=1960 |isbn=9781574884227 |page=23,29}}</ref>

On 10 October 1956, a [[United States Navy]] [[Douglas R6D-1 Liftmaster]] [[1956 Atlantic R6D-1 disappearance|disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean]] after departure from RAF Lakenheath for a flight to [[Lajes Field]] in the [[Azores]]. The aircraft was on a [[Military Air Transport Service]] flight carrying 50 members of the [[307th Bombardment Wing]], on their way home to the United States after a [[temporary duty assignment]] and a U.S. Navy crew of nine. All 59 personnel on board were lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19561010-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas R6D-1 (DC-6) 131588 Land's End, UK|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries15.html|title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos—Third Series (130265 to 135773)|website=www.joebaugher.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vrc-50.org/historyNATS.htm|title=Chronological History of Naval Air Transprt|website=www.vrc-50.org|access-date=11 January 2013|archive-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331224444/http://vrc-50.org/historyNATS.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070325185343/http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/Prelim.pdf Grossnick, Roy A., ''United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995'', Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, undated] {{ISBN|0-945274-34-3}}, p. 214, claims the date was 11 October 1956.</ref>

==== 48th Tactical Fighter Wing ====
[[File:N.A. F-100D 56-3410 48 TFW COLT 18.09.65 edited-2.jpg|thumb|A [[F-100D Super Sabre]] of 494 Tactical Fighter Squadron 48 TFW, 1965]]

Following French president [[Charles de Gaulle|Charles de Gaulle's]] insistence in 1959 that all non-French nuclear-capable forces should be withdrawn from his country, the USAF began a redeployment of its [[F-100 Super Sabre|North American F-100]]-equipped units from France. The [[48th Fighter Wing]] left its base at [[Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base]], France on 15 January 1960, its aircraft arriving at Lakenheath that afternoon.<ref name=ms/>

The tactical components of the 48th TFW upon arrival at Lakenheath were:<ref name=hhh>{{cite web|url=https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/Portals/8/documents/AFD-151006-007.pdf?ver=2016-05-02-093529-430|title=The History, Heritage and Heraldry of the 48th Fighter Wing|publisher=48th Fighter Wing History Office|date=2 October 2015|access-date=25 November 2021|page=1}}</ref>

*[[492d Fighter Squadron|492d Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (blue colours, later assigned tailcode 'LR')
*[[493d Fighter Squadron|493d Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (yellow colours, later assigned tailcode 'LS')
*[[494th Fighter Squadron|494th Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (red colours, later assigned tailcode 'LT')

The bare metal finish and bright squadron markings were replaced with dull green-based camouflage and no squadron markings around 1966-67, but by 1970 subdued individual squadron markings had returned e.g. blue fin tip and white 'LR' tailcode denoting  492d TFS.<ref>{{cite web |title=F-100D 55-2806 at Lakenheath, May 1966 |url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/111168/55-2806/0-52806 |website=airhistory.net |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=F-100D 56-3213 at Lakenheath, June 1970 |url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/454370/56-3213/0-63213 |website=airhistory.net |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref>
[[File:McDonnell F-4D Phantom II, USA - Air Force AN0817249.jpg|thumb|48th TFW McDonnell F-4D Phantom II, 1974 note tri-colour fin tip]]
Beginning in late 1971, the 48th TFW started its conversion to the [[F-4 Phantom II|McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II]], receiving aircraft that had previously served in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], with all squadrons now marked with the new 'LN' tailcode. However, the delivery of F-4s was intermittent, and working up to full strength (73 aircraft) took 2½ years. Consequently the wing only resumed its full NATO and USAFE commitments on 1st July 1975.<ref name=hhh6>The History, Heritage and Heraldry of the 48th Fighter Wing, p. 6</ref> However the F-4's service with the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing was short, as operation "Ready Switch" resulted in 48th Tactical Fighter Wing receiving [[General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark|General Dynamics F-111]]s in June 1977.<ref name=hhh6/>

==== African-American Servicemembers during the Cold War ====
After the US desegregated the military in 1948, a small community of mixed-race children, whose mothers were British and whose fathers were black American servicemembers based at Lakenheath, formed in [[Norwich]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bland |first=Lucy |title=Britain's 'brown babies' : the stories of children born to black GIs and white women in the Second World War |date=2020 |isbn=978-1-5261-5405-7 |location=Manchester |oclc=1159422997}}</ref>

Vanessa Baird, whose father was a black GI based in Lakenheath airfield and whose mother was a Liverpudlian, was born in April 1958. Her father did not know about the birth. Her mother's family was very disapproving after they found out. So Vanessa and her mother went to Norwich. There, according to Baird, some of the women married black GIs and went to the US with them.<ref name="'Brown babies' born in the 1950s">{{Cite web |title='Brown babies' born in the 1950s |url=https://mixedmuseum.org.uk/brown-babies/brown-babies-born-in-the-1950s/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=The Mixed Museum |language=en}}</ref>

Elaine Brown had a similar experience to Vanessa. Her mother met black GI Harold Grigsby when he was based at Lakenheath in the early 1950s. Her father was sent back to the US before Elaine was born in 1953. Elaine's mother told her her father's name and that he was from [[Washington DC]]. In 1996 with her husband Elaine finally found her father and met her American family.<ref name="'Brown babies' born in the 1950s"/>

=== Strike Eagle, 1992–2014 ===
[[File:F15 Eagle - RAF Lakenheath July 2009 (3717331964).jpg|thumb|[[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle]] 91-310, 'LN', 494 FS / 48 FW, at RAF Lakenheath, July 2009]]
Lakenheath received its first [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle]]s in 1992. On 16 December 1992, the last F-111 departed the base. Along with its departure, the 493d FS was inactivated, but then reactivated as an [[F-15 Eagle]] squadron.<ref>The History, Heritage and Heraldry of the 48th Fighter Wing, p. 9</ref>

On 2 March 2011, members of the 48th Security Forces Squadron were involved in a [[2011 Frankfurt Airport shooting|shooting at Frankfurt Airport]] in Germany. The members were on a bus bound for [[Ramstein Air Base]] in Germany when they were attacked by a lone gunman.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/03/02/germany.shooting/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1|title=Two U.S. airmen killed in German airport shooting|date=3 March 2011|work=CNN}}</ref>

On 22 March 2011, F-15E 91-0304 crash-landed and was destroyed in eastern [[Libya]] after reportedly suffering from a mechanical failure. Both crewmen ejected and were safely recovered.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-12819132|title=US F-15 Eagle crash lands in Libya|date=22 March 2011|work=BBC News}}</ref> On 7 January 2014, a [[Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk]] from the base crashed following a bird strike while on a low-level training exercise with another helicopter (also a Pave Hawk), into the [[Cley Marshes]] near [[Cley next the Sea]] on the nearby North Norfolk coast. All four occupants died in the crash.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.norfolk.police.uk/newsandevents/newsstories/2014/january/helicoptercrashincley.aspx|title=Helicopter crash in Cley|date=7 January 2014|work=Norfolk Constabulary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108003400/http://www.norfolk.police.uk/newsandevents/newsstories/2014/january/helicoptercrashincley.aspx|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28224917|title=Geese caused fatal USAF helicopter crash in Cley, report says|date=9 July 2014|work=BBC}}</ref>

On 8 October 2014, F-15D 86-0182 belonging to the 493rd Fighter Squadron crashed during a training flight in a field outside Spalding, Lincolnshire. The pilot successfully ejected and was shortly recovered back to Lakenheath on board a Pave Hawk.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-29547844|title=Safety fears after US jet crash|work=BBC News|date=9 October 2014}}</ref>

A [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] [[F/A-18|Boeing F/A-18 Hornet]] of [[VMFA-232]] "Red Devils" from [[MCAS Miramar]], California, crashed after taking off from RAF Lakenheath on 21 October 2015. The pilot, Major Taj "Cabbie" Sareen (34), did not survive.<ref name="BBC-34593948">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-34593948|title=US Marine Corps pilot killed in F-18 jet crash in Cambridgeshire Fens|date=21 October 2015|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=21 October 2015}}</ref>

In addition to supporting three combat-ready squadrons of fighter aircraft, the Liberty Wing housed the [[56th Rescue Squadron]]'s [[HH-60 Pave Hawk|HH-60G]] [[combat search and rescue]] helicopters. The 56th Rescue Squadron re-located to [[Aviano Air Base]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story?id=123462718|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032650/http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123462718#.VjxwvXHijik.twitter|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live|title=News}}</ref>

On 15 June 2020, an F-15C belonging to the 493d Fighter Squadron crashed during a training flight in the North Sea, 74 nautical miles east of [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]] at about {{Coord|54|21|00|N|001|40|00|E|type:event}}. The body of pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth Allen was recovered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/us-airforce-north-sea-crash-airman-name-1-6702272|title=RAF Lakenheath airman who died following North Sea crash named|first=Katy|last=Sandalls|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=16 June 2020|access-date=16 June 2020|archive-date=16 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616131552/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/us-airforce-north-sea-crash-airman-name-1-6702272|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BBC-53051055">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-53051055|title=RAF Lakenheath: US fighter jet crashes into North Sea|date=15 June 2020|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref>

=== F-35 ===
[[File:Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II of the 495th Fighter Squadron lands at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, 15 December 2021 (211215-F-AF202-0317).JPG|thumb|A F-35A of the 495th FS land at Lakenheath, 15 December 2021.]]

==== F-35A Lightning II ====
In January 2015, the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] announced that from 2020, Lakenheath would become home to 54 of the US Air Force's [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II]] multi-role fighters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/603888/air-force-f-35-squadrons-slated-for-raf-lakenheath-basing/|title=Air Force F-35 Squadrons Slated for RAF Lakenheath Basing|last=Richmond|first=Tech. Sgt. Jake|date=8 January 2015|website=US Department of Defense|language=en-US|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/us-announces-first-f-35-in-europe-to-be-based-in-the-uk|title=US announces first F-35 in Europe to be based in the UK|date=8 January 2015|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence|language=en|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref> The aircraft would be split between two squadrons and there would be an increase of 1,200 military personnel and between 60 and 100 civilian workers at the station. The F-35 would operate alongside the two existing F-15E squadrons based at Lakenheath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/new-facilities-planned-for-f-35s-at-raf-lakenheath-1.448046|title=New facilities planned for F-35s at RAF Lakenheath|last=Howard|first=William|date=9 January 2017|website=Stars and Stripes|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref>

The [[495th Fighter Squadron]] was reactivated on 1 October 2021 to be the first Lightning II squadron at Lakenheath, with the first aircraft arriving on 15 December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hadley|first=Greg|date=1 October 2021|title=Air Force Activates First F-35 Squadron in Europe Ahead of Fighters' Arrival|url=https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-activates-first-f-35-squadron-in-europe/|access-date=4 October 2021|website=Air Force Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mahshie|first=Abraham|date=15 December 2021|title=RAF Lakenheath Becomes the First European Base With a US F-35|url=https://www.airforcemag.com/raf-lakenheath-becomes-the-first-overseas-base-with-a-us-f-35/|access-date=16 December 2021|website=Air Force Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== F-35 Infrastructure ====
In 2017, a F-35 campus was being constructed on the south side of the airfield  to accommodate the new aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetfordandbrandontimes.co.uk/news/air-base-prepares-for-arrival-of-advanced-fighter-jet-1-5331268|title=An exciting era as RAF Lakenheath prepares for the arrival of the F-35A Lightning|last=Murphy|first=Rebecca|date=23 December 2017|website=Thetford and Brandon Times|language=en|access-date=20 March 2019|archive-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320222801/https://www.thetfordandbrandontimes.co.uk/news/air-base-prepares-for-arrival-of-advanced-fighter-jet-1-5331268|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2018, the main new operational buildings being developed as part of the F-35 project were as follows: a two six-bay maintenance hangars – Space for service, maintenance, storage, and staff support facilities (to be known as Hangars 4-1 and 4–2), hangar 6 (Consolidated Parts Store) – Single-storey extension to the southern side of Hangar 6, including offices and warehouses and the storage of aircraft equipment and parts., a dual squadron operations/aircraft maintenance unit (a three-storey building to provide combined facilities for two squadrons comprising Squadron Operations and Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) facilities, including mission planning, administration space in the operations section and offices to manage the maintenance of aircraft and storage space), a corrosion control and wash rack facility – Comprising single-storey hangar to maintain aircraft including a paint and sanding booth and wash rack, a [[Flight simulator]] facility ( a single-storey building to accommodate six F-35A flight simulators, administration, records, classrooms, brief/debrief rooms, and storage space,  a field training detachment facility (a three-storey building to provide F-35A maintenance, including classrooms and administration rooms),  aircraft ground equipment facilities (a single storey building extension and new covered storage associated with an existing building used for maintenance), a fuel system maintenance dock (a single storey hangar with fuel system maintenance dock), a munitions maintenance facility (a single storey building extension and new covered storage to an existing building for the maintenance of munitions), residential accommodation (a three or four-storey dormitory for up to 144 beds), a dining facility, a munitions storage administration maintenance building, a hospital up to four storeys to provide inpatient services, outpatient and speciality care clinics, ancillary services, support and medical administrative functions and a high school to house about 560 students.{{Sfn|Le Brecht|2018|pp=5–8}}

The airfield operational surfaces were also being expanded as follows: Charlie Apron, used by F-15s was to be redeveloped and extended to allow the parking of up to forty-two F-35A aircraft in dual-occupancy shelters constructed from a light weight, canopy structure with open sides to a total area of Charlie Apron of about 78,392 square metres, combining the retained area of 58,780 square metres with the new area of 19,612 square metres. It was to be connected to maintenance hangars 4-1 and 4-2 and the squadron operations/AMU building. Alpha-Bravo Apron was to be extended to accommodate existing F-15 aircraft using Charlie Apron to an area of about 54,179 square metres, combining the retained area of 39,750 square metres with the new area of 14,429 square metres, to accommodate up to thirty-eight F-15 aircraft on the open apron which would not feature any shelters.{{Sfn|Le Brecht|2018|p=9}}

==== Infrastructure delivery ====
Investment of $148.4 million (£116.7M) for the delivery of F-35A infrastructure at Lakenheath was authorised by the US administration in August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/raf-lakenheath-gets-150-million-investment-f35a|title=RAF Lakenheath Gets $150 Million of Investment For F-35A|date=16 August 2018|website=Forces Network|language=en|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref>

In November 2018, the [[Defence Infrastructure Organisation]] awarded a £160M contract for infrastructure work to a joint venture between [[Kier Group]] and VolkerFitzpatrick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-awards-160m-contract-to-prepare-raf-lakenheath-for-us-f-35s|title=MOD awards £160m contract to prepare RAF Lakenheath for US F-35s|date=19 November 2018|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence|language=en|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref>

To make way for the F-35 Campus, demolition of the first of eighteen buildings began in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/demolition-work-begins-at-raf-lakenheath|title=Demolition work begins at RAF Lakenheath|date=19 March 2019|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence and Defence Infrastructure Organisation|language=en|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> The work on Alpha-Bravo Apron was completed in August 2020, allowing F-15E Strike Eagle operations of the 492nd and 494th Fighter Squadrons to be consolidated on one ramp.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Airman 1st Class Rhonda|date=14 August 2020|title=Strike Eagles make room for F-35A arrival|url=https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2313277/strike-eagles-make-room-for-f-35a-arrival/|access-date=16 August 2020|website=Royal Air Force Lakenheath|publisher=US Air Force|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Drone incidents ====
{{Main|2024 US air base drone incursions in the United Kingdom}}
In 2024, between 20 November and 22 November, small [[Unmanned Aerial Systems|unmanned aerial systems]] (UASs) were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, [[RAF Mildenhall]], and [[RAF Feltwell]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-23 |title=Mystery drones seen over three US air bases in East Anglia |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2j54g5j9o |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=2024-11-23 |title=Unidentified drones spotted over three UK airbases, US air force confirms |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/23/unidentified-drones-spotted-over-three-uk-airbases-us-air-force-confirms |access-date=2024-11-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size and configuration. [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagles]], based at Lakenheath, were allegedly scrambled in response to the drones as they impacted local flight operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doyle |first=Liam |date=2024-11-23 |title='Unidentified drones' caught flying over RAF base where US wants to keep nukes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/unidentified-drones-caught-flying-over-34174918 |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref> [[RAF Regiment]] personnel were later deployed to the bases with the ORCUS C-UAS system in response to a second sighting of unidentified drones in the night hours of 25 November.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British forces deployed after drones spotted again over three US air bases in UK |url=https://news.sky.com/story/drones-spotted-over-three-us-air-bases-in-uk-13261011 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sheridan |first1=Danielle |last2=McArdle |first2=Tom |date=2024-11-26 |title=British troops deployed to protect US air bases in UK from drone attacks |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/26/more-unidentified-drones-three-us-air-bases-in-uk/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

==Accidents involving nuclear weapons==
{{main|RAF Lakenheath nuclear weapons accidents}}
Two accidents involving nuclear weapons happened at RAF Lakenheath, in 1956 and 1961.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Rob|date=2003-10-13|title=MoD catalogues its nuclear blunders|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2003/oct/13/energy.nuclearindustry|access-date=2020-12-05|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Based units==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Lakenheath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/Units/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830065036/http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/units/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 August 2006|title=Units|website=Royal Air Force Lakenheath|access-date=27 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3201243/liberty-wing-activates-the-492nd-and-494th-fighter-generation-squadron/|title=Liberty Wing activates the 492nd and 494th Fighter Generation Squadron|publisher=Royal Air Force Lakenheath|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>

=== United States Air Force ===
'''[[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa]] (USAFE-AFAFRICA)'''

* [[48th Fighter Wing]]
** 48th Operations Group
*** 48th Operations Support Squadron
***[[492nd Fighter Squadron]] – [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]]
*** [[493rd Fighter Squadron]] – [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35A Lightning II]]
*** [[494th Fighter Squadron]] – [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]]
*** [[495th Fighter Squadron]] – [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35A Lightning II]]
** 48th Maintenance Group
*** 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron
*** 494th Fighter Generation Squadron
*** 48th Component Maintenance Squadron
*** 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron 
*** 48th Maintenance Operations Squadron 
*** 48th Munitions Squadron 
***748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 
** 48th Medical Group
*** 48th Dental Squadron
*** 48th Inpatient Operations Squadron
*** 48th Medical Operations Squadron
*** 48th Medical Support Squadron
*** 48th Surgical Operations Squadron
** 48th Mission Support Group
*** 48th Civil Engineer Squadron
*** 48th Communications Squadron
*** 48th Contracting Squadron
*** 48th Force Support Squadron
*** 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron
*** 48th Security Forces Squadron
** 48th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies
*** Judge Advocate Office
*** Public Affairs
*** 48th Comptroller Squadron
*** Safety - Occupational/Weapons/Aviation
*** Equal Opportunities
*** Sexual Assault Prevention
*** Protocol
*** Inspector General

The base also has 1,500 British and US civilian staff, that serve the base at the site.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/19/inside-uk-village-putins-first-target-world-war-3-20304233/|title=UK village that could be Putin's 'first target' if World War Three breaks out|first=Gergana|last=Krasteva|date=19 February 2024}}</ref>

==Nuclear weapons==
Although never officially confirmed, US nuclear weapons were based at Lakenheath from the first deployment of SAC aircraft to the base in the 1950s until the 1990s. As of 2024, no US nuclear weapons are known to be based in the UK. In February 2024, US documents detailing the awarding of contracts to build new storage facilities for nuclear cores stimulated public discussion in East Anglia that nuclear weapons may be redeployed to Lakenheath in the near future.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Precey |first1=Matt |title='Are US nuclear weapons set to return to RAF Lakenheath?' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-68217519 |access-date=22 February 2024 |agency=BBC |publisher=BBC |date=18 February 2024}}</ref>

== Heritage ==

=== Gate guardian ===
RAF Lakenheath's [[gate guardian]] is [[North American F-100 Super Sabre|North American F-100D Super Sabre]], serial number '''54-2269'.'' The aircraft was originally delivered to the [[French Air Force]]. On return it was moved to the "Wings of Liberty Memorial Park" at RAF Lakenheath. Firstly it was painted as ''<nowiki/>'55-4048'<nowiki/>'', latterly as ''<nowiki/>'56-3319'<nowiki/>''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/54-2269.html|title=Aircraft Data 54-2269, North American F-100D Super Sabre C/N 223-149|website=Airport-Data.com|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref>

==Protests==
[[File:Several anti-war picketers walk past RAF Lakenheath.jpg|thumb|Demonstrators outside RAF Lakenheath following its use in [[1986 United States bombing of Libya|the 1986 bombing of Libya]]]]
Since the base's founding, RAF Lakenheath has been targeted for numerous peace protests from groups such as [[Stop the War Coalition|Stop the war coalition]],  [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]], and Lakenheath Alliance for Peace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lakenheathallianceforpeace.org.uk/ |title=Lakenheath Alliance for Peace|access-date=29 December 2024}}</ref>

===Pershing===
Lakenheath was one of the proposed sites of the NATO [[Pershing II]] Missile System. The deployment of the Missile system sparked protests all over Western Europe, and RAF Lakenheath was one of the most prominent military sites. The radical historian [[E.P. Thompson]] wrote in a pamphlet that basing the system at RAF Lakenheath directly endangered the lives of those in the nearby city of [[Cambridge]]:<blockquote>''"...Lakenheath is, by crow or cruise, just over twenty miles from Cambridge. It is possible that Cambridge but less probable that Oxford will fall outside the CEP. Within the CEP we must suppose some fifteen or twenty detonations at least on the scale  of  Hiroshima, without taking into account any possible detonations, release of radio-active materials, etc., if the strike should succeed in finding out the cruise missiles at which it was aimed."'' <ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/113758.pdf?v=0c2c5f257a84d5fa55c9226c939314f4 |title=1980 Protest and Survive|publisher=Wilson Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811033333/https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/113758.pdf?v=0c2c5f257a84d5fa55c9226c939314f4|access-date=24 November 2021|archive-date=11 August 2017}}</ref></blockquote>A semi-permanent 'peace camp' was set up outside RAF Lakenheath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://islingtontribune.com/article/progressive-educator-who-always-made-herself-heard|title=Karthy Nair, progressive educator who always made herself heard|website=Islington Tribune}}</ref> In 1985, the future Archbishop of Canterbury [[Rowan Williams]] was arrested for singing psalms at a CND protest at Lakenheath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/user/williams|title=Williams|website=Magdalene College}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jul/08/rowan-williams-interview-david-hare|title=Rowan Williams: God's boxer|date=8 July 2011|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

=== Libya ===
Over 1,000 people demonstrated outside RAF Lakenheath in protest at the [[1986 United States bombing of Libya]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=1986-04-20|title=Tension Over Libya: Thousands Take to the Streets; Anti-U.s. Protests Spread as Europeans Criticize Raid|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/20/world/tension-over-libya-thousands-take-streets-anti-us-protests-spread-europeans.html|access-date=2020-09-11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
[[File:Protesters, including Jeremy Corbyn, outside RAF Lakenheath.jpg|thumb|Protestors including [[Jeremy Corbyn]], outside RAF Lakenheath in 2006.]]

===Iraq war and later===
The [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] sparked a new wave of peace protests. In one incident, 9 protestors gained access to the base by cutting through its perimeter fence. The protestors rode bicycles along the main runway, before chaining themselves together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21321333.arrests-made-air-base-break-in/|title=Arrests made after air base break-in|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=11 March 2003}}</ref>

Activists later established a 'peace camp' outside RAF Lakenheath to draw attention to the base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/activists-gather-at-raf-lakenheath-to-protest-nukes-1.22514|title=Activists gather at RAF Lakenheath to protest nukes|website=Stars and Stripes}}</ref>

In 2006, a group of 200 people protested against the alleged nuclear weapons stored at RAF Lakenheath.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indymedia Cambridge, UK {{!}} Anti-Nuclear Campaigners Locked-On to Munitions Gate at USAF Lakenheath NOW|url=https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/cambridge/2006/10/352412.html|access-date=2020-09-11|website=www.indymedia.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Peace campaigner stage base protest|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/peace-campaigner-stage-base-protest-1-77344|access-date=2020-09-11|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=2 October 2006|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> There were further protests on this issue in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gooderham|first=Dave|title='Nuclear bombs' protest at Suffolk base|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/nuclear-bombs-protest-at-suffolk-base-1-188949|access-date=2020-09-11|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=19 May 2008|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|File:48th Fighter Wing.png|48th Fighter Wing
|File:494th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle.jpg|A 492d Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle from Lakenheath lifts off from the airfield's runway
|File:F-100 Gate Guard RAF Lakenheath.JPEG|The F-100 is displayed on a permanent stand. It was the second aircraft to represent the Liberty Wing. It flew for the 48th Fighter Wing between 1956 and 1972 before it was replaced by the F-4 Phantom.
|File:F-15 Eagle at RAF Lakenheath with rainbow.jpg|alt=|A F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 493rd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, parked on the apron at RAF Lakenheath
}}

==See also==

* [[List of Royal Air Force stations]]
*[[Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom]]
*[[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom]]
*[[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa]]

==References==

===Citations===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{USGovernment|url=http://www.lakenheath.af.mil|title=RAF Lakenheath|agency=United States Air Force}}
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Birtles|first1=Philip|title=UK Airfields of the Cold War |year=2012 |publisher= Midland Publishing|isbn=978-1-85780-346-4}}
*{{wikicite|ref={{harvid|Bowyer|1979}}|reference= Bowyer, J.F. ''Action Stations: Wartime military airfields of East Anglia 1939–1945 v. 1''. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1979. {{ISBN|0-85059-335-2}}.}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1= C G |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}
* Maurer, Maurer. ''Air Force Combat Units of World War II''. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office 1961 (republished 1983, Office of Air Force History, {{ISBN|0-912799-02-1}}).
* Ravenstein, Charles A. ''Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977''. [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], [[Alabama]]: Office of Air Force History 1984. {{ISBN|0-912799-12-9}}.
* Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-912799-53-6}}
*Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. {{ISBN|1-85780-197-0}}.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060925110244/http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/baugher_us/ Joe Baugher's Encyclopedia of American Aircraft]
*[http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to Present]
*[http://www.strategic-air-command.com Strategic-Air-Command.com]
*{{Cite book|url=https://planning.westsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/files/4D88C6814B6F2DE39936C5E2FAFFE9BD/pdf/DC_18_0456_EIASCR-SCREENING_REPORT_-_PROPOSED_DEVELOPMENT-1386451.pdf|title=RAF Lakenheath Proposed Development – Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report|last=Le Brecht|first=H|date=19 February 2018|publisher=[[Mott MacDonald]], Jacobs and the [[Defence Infrastructure Organisation]]}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGUL-Lakenheath-Textual.pdf UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Lakenheath (EGUL)]

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[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Suffolk]]
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