View source for RAF Mildenhall

{{Short description|Royal Air Force station near Mildenhall, Suffolk, United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAF Mildenhall
| ensign = [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]]
| ensign_size =
| native_name = 
| partof = 
| location = [[Mildenhall, Suffolk|Mildenhall]], [[Suffolk]]
| country = [[United Kingdom]]
| image = File:KC-135 Stratotanker - RAF Mildenhall (15480012306).jpg
| alt = A Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of the 100th ARW at RAF Mildenhall.
| caption = A Boeing [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135R Stratotanker]] of the [[100th Air Refueling Wing|100th ARW]] at RAF Mildenhall.
| image2 = RAF_Mildenhall_Logo.jpg
| image2_size = 100px
| alt2 = Station badge
| caption2 = {{Language with name/for|la|Ut aquilae volent|That eagles may fly|break=yes}}
| type = [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] station ([[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom|US Visiting Forces]])
| coordinates = {{Coord|52|21|54|N|000|28|51|E|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| gridref = TL685768{{sfn|Birtles|2012|p=69}}
| pushpin_map = Europe#UK#Suffolk#North Atlantic
| pushpin_relief = y
| pushpin_label = RAF Mildenhall
| pushpin_label_position = top
| ownership= [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]
| operator = [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]
| controlledby = [[United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa|US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa]] (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities - radar types etc -->
| site_area = 482 hectares<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-estates-development-plan-dedp-2009|title=Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A|date=3 July 2009|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence|page=16|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref>
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = {{Start date|1934}}
| used = 1934 – 1950 ([[Royal Air Force]])<br>1950 – 1959 (Joint RAF/USAF)<br>1959 – present (US Air Force) <!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder = 
| materials = 
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition = Operational
| battles = 
| events = 
| current_commander = <!-- current commander -->
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = *[[100th Air Refueling Wing]]
*[[352d Special Operations Wing]]
*[[501st Combat Support Wing]]
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| elevation = {{Convert|10.3|m|0}}
| IATA =MHZ
| ICAO =EGUN
| GPS = 
| WMO = 03577
| r1-number = 10/28
| r1-length = {{Convert|2808|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]]/[[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes ='''Source''': UK MIL AIP Mildenhall<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2 December 2021|title=UK MIL AIP Mildenhall AD-2 EGUN|url=https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGUN-Mildenhall-Textual.pdf|access-date=2 December 2021|website=UK Military AIP|publisher=No. 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit}}</ref>
}}'''Royal Air Force Mildenhall''', or more simply '''RAF Mildenhall''' {{Airport codes|MHZ|EGUN}}, is a [[Royal Air Force]] [[List of Royal Air Force stations|station]] located near [[Mildenhall, Suffolk|Mildenhall]] in [[Suffolk]], [[England]]. Despite its status as a [[List of Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]], it primarily supports [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) operations, and is currently the home of the [[100th Air Refueling Wing]] (100 ARW).

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], [[RAF Bomber Command]] used the station for operational combat missions until 1945. Placed on standby status after the war, it was reopened by the [[Royal Air Force]] and became a USAF-RAF joint operation base on 11 July 1950. It was assigned to [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC), and began hosting [[Boeing B-50 Superfortress|B-50 Superfortresses]] in 1951, and [[Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter|KC-97 Stratofreighters]] from 1953 until 1958. The [[Military Air Transport Service]] transferred its main United Kingdom terminal to Mildenhall in 1958. In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]] and [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird|SR-71 Blackbird]] operations took place from the base. On 8 January 2015, the [[United States Department of Defense]] announced that operations at RAF Mildenhall would end and be relocated to Germany ([[Spangdahlem Air Base]]) and elsewhere within the UK. After a period of uncertainty it was confirmed in July 2020 that the relocation of operations would no longer take place. RAF Mildenhall, alongside its sister base [[RAF Lakenheath]], have the largest [[United States Air Force]] presence in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbap.be/events/2020/011milden2020/011milden2020.htm|access-date=1 August 2020|title=RAF Mildenhall}}</ref>

==History==
===Early years (1930s)===
In order to meet a perceived 'continental threat', the British military developed the idea to site a Royal Air Force bomber base at Mildenhall in the late 1920s. Shortly thereafter, the government purchased the land in 1929, followed by the completion of the first buildings in 1931. Three years later, RAF Mildenhall opened on 16 October 1934,<ref>{{cite web|title=Factsheets : RAF Mildenhall History|url=http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3847|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914221418/http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3847|archive-date=14 September 2011|publisher=AF.mil|df=dmy-all}}</ref> as one of the RAF's largest bomber stations. On the same day, [[Wing commander|Wing Commander]] [[Francis John Linnell|Francis Linnell]], assumed his position as the first station commander.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rafweb.org/Biographies/Linnell.htm|title=F J Linnell_P|publisher=RAFweb.org}}</ref>

RAF Mildenhall's premature inauguration was due in large part with its selection to host the [[Royal Aero Club]]'s prestigious [[MacRobertson Air Race]] on 20 October 1934.  At the time, the [[air race]] stood as the longest race ever devised, and attracted over 70,000 spectators to the airfield. Even more telling of the race's significance in the world's sporting spotlight, on short notice [[George V|King George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] visited RAF Mildenhall the day before the race. In the end, pilots [[Tom Campbell Black]] and [[C. W. A. Scott]] flying the [[De Havilland DH.88|de Havilland Comet]] ''Grosvenor House'', crossed the finish line first at [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]], less than 72 hours after starting the race.<ref>{{Cite Q|Q108367466}}</ref>

Following this favourable beginning, RAF Mildenhall received its first squadron and aircraft with the arrival of [[No. 99 Squadron RAF|No. 99B Squadron]], equipped with [[Handley Page Heyford]] bombers. King George V reviewed 350 aircraft at Mildenhall in 1935 on the occasion of his [[Silver Jubilee of George V|Silver Jubilee]]. This historical event is commemorated by a memorial tablet located in front of the Building 562, the current [[100th Air Refueling Wing]] headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.key.aero/article/1935-raf-review-royal-appointment|title=1935 RAF Review: By Royal Appointment|date=11 June 2020 |publisher=Key Aero|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

The threat the RAF had envisioned in the late 1920s materialised during the [[Munich Crisis]]. Between 26 September 1938 and 4 October 1939, the airfield completed its installation of its defence systems. After a brief reprieve from war, the airfield prepared for war, bringing station defences and squadrons to full combat readiness. On 3 September 1939, three days after [[Germany]] invaded [[Poland]], Britain and [[France]] declared war on Germany. Later that same day, three [[Vickers Wellington]] aircraft from [[No. 149 Squadron RAF|No. 149 Squadron]] at Mildenhall were dispatched to bomb the German naval fleet at [[Wilhelmshaven]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2015-01-08/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-raf-mildenhall|title=Ten things you might not know about RAF Mildenhall|date=8 January 2015|publisher=ITV| access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

===Second World War (1939–1945)===
Throughout [[World War II|Second World War]], RAF Mildenhall remained active as in addition to its own airfield, the base had responsibility for [[RAF Newmarket]], [[RAF Tuddenham]], and [[RAF Lakenheath]]. During the course of the war, the base witnessed the transition from the two-engine [[Vickers Wellington|Wellington]], to the four-engine [[Short Stirling]], and finally to the [[Avro Lancaster]].<ref>Jefford 1988, p. 62</ref>

By the end of the war, aircraft from Mildenhall and its satellite airfields had dropped over 23,000 tons of explosives, laid 2,000 mines and flew over 8,000 sorties. The airfield also saw the loss of over 200; Wellington, Stirling, and Lancaster bombers with the loss of over 2,000 [[aircrew]].  One of those killed, was [[Pilot officer|Pilot Officer]] [[Rawdon Hume Middleton]], an Australian who was posthumously awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] and is buried at St. Johns Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/beckrow.htm|title=Beckrow|publisher=SuffolkChurches.co.uk}}</ref> cemetery in [[Beck Row]] after his body was washed ashore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beckrow.22plus3.co.uk/|title=22plus3.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306002202/http://beckrow.22plus3.co.uk/|archive-date=6 March 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Target for Tonight ====
During the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April 1941, Mildenhall was used for the making of the film ''[[Target for Tonight]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121791/reviews|title = Target for Tonight (1941) - IMDb| website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> So as not to give away important information to the enemy, Mildenhall took the fictitious name of '''Millerton Aerodrome''' and several other aspects involving the day-to-day operations were altered. The film, produced by the [[Crown Film Unit]], focused on the planning and execution of an [[Strategic bombing|air raid]] on Germany, as seen by the crew of Vickers Wellington OJ-F 'F for Freddie'. Wellingtons and their crews from the resident No. 149 Squadron, coded OJ, were used for the filming. The exception to this was [[Percy Charles Pickard|Percy Pickard]] who was at that time [[Squadron Leader]] with [[No. 311 Squadron RAF|No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121791/reviews|title = Target for Tonight (1941) - IMDb| website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> Pickard played the part of Squadron Leader Dickson, the captain of 'F for Freddie'. Pickard would go on to lead daring raids such [[Operation Biting]] and the later [[Operation Jericho]] on Amiens Prison, in which he was killed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deaths |issue=49962 |page=7 |work=The Times |date=22 September 1944}}</ref>

===Postwar (1945–1950)===
After the war, aircraft from Mildenhall flew home repatriated [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] in [[Operation Exodus (WWII operation)|Operation Exodus]], and participated in [[Operations Manna and Chowhound|Operation Manna]], dropping relief supplies to the Dutch people stranded by the flooding caused by the retreating German {{Lang|de|[[Wehrmacht]]}}.  By the end of 1945, Mildenhall's operational activity experienced a drastic decrease and despite a brief flurry of flying activity in the late 1940s, the RAF reduced the base to 'care and maintenance' status. The only remaining RAF unit of significance was Headquarters [[No. 3 Group RAF|No. 3 Group]], part of Bomber Command, which remained on station until 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/Grp01.htm|title=No. 3 Group|publisher=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

The following RAF units operated from Mildenhall:<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/mildenhall-beck-row/|title=Mildenhall (Beck Row)|publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=40em|
*[[No. 3 Blind Approach Training Flight RAF]] (1940) became [[No. 1503 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF]] (1941)
*[[No. 3 Group Communications Flight RAF]] (1937–41 and 1946–64)
*[[No. 4 Group RAF|No. 4 (Bomber) Group RAF]]
*[[No. 5 Group RAF|No. 5 (Bomber) Group RAF]]
*[[No. 25 Heavy Glider Maintenance Section RAF]]
*[[No. 32 Base RAF]]
*[[No. 149 Conversion Flight RAF]]
*[[No. 401 (Meteorological) Flight RAF]] (1941)
*[[No. 1505 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF]] (1942)
*[[Engine Consumption Unit RAF]] (1942) became [[No. 1 Engine Consumption Unit RAF]] (1942)
*[[Regional Control School RAF]] (1940)
}}

=== Cold War (1950–1991) ===
==== Strategic Air Command ====
[[File:Boeing B-50 USAF.jpg|thumb|Boeing B-50D Superfortress]]
The initial Strategic Air Command unit to use Mildenhall was the 7511th Air Base Group (later redesignated 3910th Air Base Group), being activated on 11 July 1950, to prepare the facility for operational use by SAC aircraft. On 1 May 1951, SAC took control of the station rotated bomb wings in and out of Mildenhall on temporary duty assignments. The first operational strategic unit to use the airfield was the [[B-50 Superfortress|Boeing B-50D Superfortress]] equipped [[2nd Bomb Wing]], arriving on Temporary Duty (TDY) from [[Hunter Army Airfield|Hunter AFB]] in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] on 4 May 1951.<ref name=fact>{{cite web|url=https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/270389/raf-mildenhall-history/|title=RAF Mildenhall History|publisher=RAF Mildenhall|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

Other rotational strategic bomb wings at Mildenhall were:

* [[22nd Bombardment Wing]]<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike|title=22nd Bomb Wing|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/agency/22bw.htm|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref> (7 September 1951 – 12 December 1951) (B-50D, KB-29P) (TDY from [[March AFB]] [[California]])
* [[93rd Bombardment Wing]]<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike|title=93rd Air Control Wing [93rd ACW]|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/93acw.htm|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref> (16 December 1951 – 8 March 1952) (B-50D, KB-29P) (TDY from [[Castle AFB]] [[California]]) 
* [[509th Bombardment Wing]]<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike|title=509th Bomb Wing|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/agency/509bw.htm|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref> (4 June 1952 – 2 September 1952) (B-50D, KB-29P) (TDY from [[Walker AFB]] [[New Mexico]])

[[File:KC97.jpg|thumb|Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter, 1951]]
In 1953, Mildenhall's mission was changed from a B-50 bomber airfield to a [[KC-97 Stratofreighter]] aerial tanker dispersal base. The role was to support [[B-47 Stratojet|Boeing B-47 Stratojet]] aircraft based at [[RAF Fairford]].<ref name=fact/> The base became the home for the United Kingdom Passenger Terminal managed by [[Military Air Transport Service]] (MATS) in 1958.<ref name=fact/>

=====7513th Tactical Group=====
[[File:Wb50-58ws-eielson.jpg|thumb|WB-50D of the 58th Weather Squadron]]
SAC departed Mildenhall in 1959, as its runway capabilities no longer met the requirements for its newer aircraft. On 17 July 1959, SAC and USAFE reached an agreement facilitating and substantially increasing [[Third Air Force]]'s role in making operational decisions regarding the USAF units in the UK. On 1 September, the 7513th Tactical Group took over host unit responsibilities.<ref name=fact/>

On 15 November 1965 Mildenhall welcomed the arrival of the Silk Purse Control Group and the [[7120th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]] (7120 ACCS) previously stationed at Chateauroux Air Station, France.  Upon its arrival at Mildenhall, the 7120th ACCS converted from the [[Douglas DC-6|Douglas C-118]] to the [[Boeing EC-135]] which were used as [[Airborne Command Post|airborne command posts]] for the Commander, [[United States European Command|US European Command]] under the code name [[Operation Silk Purse]].<ref name=fact/>

=====513th Tactical Airlift Wing=====
[[File:Boeing EC-135H 61-0285 Mildenhall.JPEG|thumb|A [[Boeing EC-135|EC-135H Silk Purse]] of the 10th Air Control Center Squadron flying over Mildenhall during 1983]]
On 1 July 1966, the 513th Troop Carrier Wing arrived at Mildenhall from [[Evreux-Fauville Air Base]] in France. With its activation on Mildenhall, the 513th TCW assumed operational control of two rotational (7441st, 7742nd) Troop Carrier Squadrons of twenty [[C-130 Hercules]] as well as the 7120th ACCS / Silk Purse Control Group and the five [[Boeing EC-135#Silk Purse|Boeing EC-135H]].<ref>Air Force Historical Research Agency, IRIS 1001387: ''History of the 513th Tactical Airlift Wing'', 1 Apr – 30 June 1974</ref>

For the next few years, Mildenhall witnessed little change: however, in June 1972, the base added to the list of its tenants with the arrival of Headquarters [[Third Air Force]], which relocated from South Ruislip.<ref name=fact/>

In May 1969, mechanic [[Sergeant (United States)|Sergeant]] Paul Meyer, homesick for his wife in [[Virginia]], [[1969 theft of C-130|stole a Hercules C-130E transporter]] and flew south, eventually ditching in the [[English Channel]]. In April 2018 an underwater search for the aircraft, using [[sonar]], was announced by the Deeper Dorset group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-43348163|title=Hunt to find stolen 60s Hercules wreck|work=BBC News|date=13 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1969/jun/12/united-states-aircraft-unauthorised|title=UNITED STATES AIRCRAFT (UNAUTHORISED FLIGHT) (Hansard, 12 June 1969)|website=api.parliament.uk}}</ref>

=====306th Strategic Wing=====
[[File:Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, USA - Air Force AN1768666.jpg|left|thumb|A [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird|SR-71A Blackbird]] of the [[9th Reconnaissance Wing|9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing's]] Detachment 4 seen taking off from Mildenhall in 1985 ]]
The next significant event in Mildenhall's history came with the arrival of Detachment 4, [[9th Reconnaissance Wing|9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]] (9th SRW) in 1976, which controlled rotational [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]] and [[Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird|SR-71 Blackbird]] operations from the base.<ref name=fact/> From their arrival, until the departure of the last SR-71 on 18 January 1990, the 306th Strategic Wing's SR-71 and U-2 aircraft came to symbolise RAF Mildenhall in the local public's eye.<ref name=fact/>

On 1 July 1978, the [[306th Strategic Wing]] of SAC was transferred to Mildenhall from [[Ramstein Air Base]], [[West Germany]] with a [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]] air refuelling and a [[Boeing RC-135]] reconnaissance mission.  The 306th SW also functioned as the focal point for all SAC operations in Europe, and became the host unit at Mildenhall.<ref name=fact/>

===Post Cold War (1990s)===
[[File:Team Mildenhall.jpg|left|thumb|100px|Team Mildenhall logo]]
The 306th Strategic Wing operated at RAF Mildenhall until 1 February 1992, when the [[100th Air Refueling Wing]] of USAFE, assumed the 306th SW responsibilities, and became host unit at Mildenhall, along with becoming Headquarters European Tanker Task Force with its KC-135 Stratotankers.<ref name=fact/>

In May 1993, as part of the drawdown of forces in Europe, it was announced that the majority of the USAF-operated base at [[RAF Alconbury]] was to be returned to the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|British Ministry of Defence]].  As a part of this return, the 352nd Special Operations Group and its associated aircraft, the [[MC-130E|MC-130E Combat Talon]], [[HC-130|HC-130P/N Combat King]] and [[MH-53|MH-53 Pave Low]], transferred to RAF Mildenhall in March 1995.<ref name=fact/>

===2000–present===
[[File:100arw-tail.jpg|thumb|Tail of a [[KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135R Stratotanker]] assigned to the [[100th Air Refueling Wing|100th Air Refuelling Wing]], displaying the [[Heraldic badges of the Royal Air Force|badge]] of RAF Mildenhall and the historic 'Square D' badge as used by the unit during the [[Second World War]]]]
During the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], the 491st Air Expeditionary Group (491st AEG) operated from the base, with the 491st Air Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 744th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, flying the [[Lockheed C-141 Starlifter|Lockheed C-141C Starlifter]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.av8rstuff.com/miscairlift4.html|title=AV8R Stuff - Airlift Patches|website=www.av8rstuff.com|access-date=2017-12-11}}</ref> Also attached to the 491st AEG was the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Airlift Squadron, now located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.c141heaven.info/dotcom/66/pic_66_7950.php|title=C141HEAVEN - All there is to know, and lots more, about the Lockheed C141 Starlifter!|last=Novack|first=Michael C|website=www.c141heaven.info|access-date=2017-12-11|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809133707/http://www.c141heaven.info/dotcom/66/pic_66_7950.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[501st Combat Support Wing]] was activated at RAF Mildenhall on 21 May 2005. It was a non-flying unit that provides administration and operation of units at [[RAF Croughton]] (422nd Air Base Group), [[RAF Alconbury]] (423rd Air Base Group) and [[RAF Fairford]] (420th Air Base Group). The wing moved to RAF Alconbury on 1 May 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=501st Combat Support Wing|url=https://www.501csw.usafe.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/436431/501st-combat-support-wing/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106230619/http://www.501csw.usafe.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/436431/501st-combat-support-wing|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2016|access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>

In June 2021 [[President of the United States]] [[Joe Biden]] and [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Jill Biden]] flew to RAF Mildenhall on [[Air Force One]] for the [[47th G7 summit]] and their first meeting with [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]. President Biden addressed troops on base shortly after landing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21278134.us-president-joe-biden-tells-pride-suffolk-airbase-historic-visit/|title = US President Joe Biden tells of pride in Suffolk airbase on historic visit|work=[[East Anglian Daily Times]]|date = 9 June 2021|access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref>

In April 2023, during [[President of the United States|President]] [[Joe Biden]]'s visit to [[Northern Ireland]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]], an [[Boeing E-4|E-4B]] Nightwatch callsign "GRIM99" was seen flying over Wales and landed at RAF Mildenhall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/bidens-doomsday-nuclear-war-plane-spotted-flying-over-wales-2023-4|title=Joe Biden's 'doomsday plane' — which the president would use in the event of a nuclear war — was spotted flying over Wales|date=12 April 2023|newspaper=Insider|access-date=12 April 2023}}</ref>

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 Mildenhall, part of wider [[2024 US air base drone incursions in the United Kingdom|drone incursions at US air bases in the United Kingdom]].<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 |last=Sheridan |first=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> 

==Major US Air Force units assigned==
Major units assigned included:<ref name="mul2">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}}</ref><br>
{{Div col}}
*7511th Air Base Squadron, 11 July – 26 September 1950
:redesignated: 7511th Air Base Group, 26 September 1950 – 1 February 1953
:redesignated: 3910th Air Base Group, 1 February 1953 – 15 April 1955
*[[2nd Bomb Wing|2nd Bombardment Wing]] (deployed), 4 May – 31 August 1951
*[[22nd Air Refueling Wing|22nd Bombardment Wing]] (deployed), 7–12 September 1951
*[[93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing|93rd Bombardment Wing]] (deployed), 6 December 1951 – 2 March 1952
*[[97th Air Mobility Wing|97th Bombardment Wing]] (deployed), 1 April – 11 June 1952
*[[509th Bomb Wing|509th Bombardment Wing]] (deployed), 4 June – 2 September 1952
*3913th Air Base Squadron, 15 April 1955 – 1 January 1959
:redesignated: 3913th Combat Support Group, 1 January – 1 September 1959
*53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, 10 August 1959 – 18 March 1960
*1625th Support Squadron (MATS), 1 March 1959 – 8 January 1966
*7513th Air Base Group, 1 September 1959 – 1 July 1966
:redesignated: 7513th Tactical Group
*[[513th Airborne Command and Control Wing|513th Tactical Airlift Wing]], 1 July 1966 – 1 February 1992
*627th Military Airlift Support Squadron, 8 January 1966 – 15 September 1978
*[[Third Air Force]], 15 April 1972 – 1 November 2005
*[[435th Air Base Wing|435th Tactical Airlift Group]], 1 July 1975 – 15 September 1978
*[[306th Flying Training Group|306th Strategic Wing]], 1 July 1978 – 1 February 1992
*[[313th Tactical Airlift Wing|313th Tactical Airlift Group]], 15 September 1978 – 1 February 1992
*[[100th Air Refueling Wing]], 1 February 1992 – present
*[[95th Reconnaissance Squadron]], 1 July 1994 – present
*[[352nd Special Operations Group]], 17 February 1995 – present
*[[501st Combat Support Wing]], 12 May 2005 – 30 April 2007
{{Div col end}}

== Based units ==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Mildenhall:<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/About-Us/|access-date=9 October 2020|website=RAF Mildenhall|publisher=US Air Force}}</ref>

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Mildenhall, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

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

* [[Third Air Force]]
** [[100th Air Refueling Wing|100th Air Refuelling Wing]]
*** Headquarters 100th Air Refuelling Wing
*** 100th Comptroller Squadron
*** 100th Operations Group
**** 100th Operations Support Squadron
**** [[351st Air Refueling Squadron|351st Air Refuelling Squadron]] – [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135R Stratotanker]]
*** 100th Maintenance Group
**** 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
**** 100th Maintenance Squadron
*** 100th Mission Support Group
**** 100th Civil Engineer Squadron
**** 100th Communications Squadron
**** 100th Force Support Squadron
**** 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron
**** 100th Security Forces Squadron
* [[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom|United States Air Forces in Europe – United Kingdom]]

'''[[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC)'''

* [[Eighteenth Air Force]]
** [[521st Air Mobility Operations Wing]]
*** [[721st Air Mobility Operations Group]]
**** 727th Air Mobility Squadron (GSU)
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[[United States Air Force Special Operations Command|'''Air Force Special Operations Command''']] '''(AFSOC)'''

* [[352nd Special Operations Wing]]
** [[752nd Special Operations Group]]
*** [[7th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[CV-22 Osprey]]
*** [[67th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130J Commando II]]
*** [[321st Special Tactics Squadron]]
*** 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron
** 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Group
*** 752nd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
*** 352nd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

'''[[Air Combat Command]]''' '''(ACC)'''

* [[Sixteenth Air Force]]
** [[55th Wing]]
*** [[55th Operations Group]]
**** [[95th Reconnaissance Squadron]] (GSU) – [[Boeing RC-135|RC-135]]
**** 488th Intelligence Squadron (GSU)
** [[363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]]
*** [[361st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group]]
**** [[25th Intelligence Squadron]]
***** Detachment 2 (GSU)
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=== United States Navy ===
'''[[United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa]] (CNE-CNA)'''

* Fleet Industrial Supply Center Sigonella, Detachment Mildenhall ([[Naval Supply Systems Command]])

<gallery>
File:KC-135 - RAF Mildenhall Feb 2010 (4384283835).jpg|A [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135R Stratotanker]] of the Mildenhall based [[100th Air Refueling Wing]]
File:Osprey - RAF Mildenhall (5598371951).jpg|A [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|CV-22B Osprey]] of the Mildenhall based [[352nd Special Operations Wing]]
File:RC-135 - RAF Mildenhall Feb 2010 (4366206166).jpg|A [[Boeing RC-135|Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint]] of the [[55th Wing]] seen at RAF Mildenhall during 2010
</gallery>

== Airlines and destinations ==
{{Airport-dest-list
|[[Space-A travel|Space-A]]|[[Charleston Air Force Base|Charleston AFB]], [[Dover Air Force Base|Dover AFB]], [[MacDill Air Force Base|MacDill AFB]], [[McConnell Air Force Base|McConnell AFB]], [[McGuire Air Force Base|McGuire AFB]], [[Ramstein Air Base]], [[Seymour Johnson Air Force Base|Seymour Johnson AFB]], [[Travis Air Force Base|Travis AFB]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spacea.net/mildenhall|title=Destinations from RAF Mildenhall|access-date=January 29, 2022|date=January 29, 2022}}</ref>
}}

== Future ==
On 8 January 2015, the [[United States Department of Defense]] announced that as part of their [[European Infrastructure Consolidation]] (EIC) programme, they would be withdrawing from RAF Mildenhall to help save $500 million a year across Europe.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|date=8 January 2015|title=USAF to pull out of airfields at Mildenhall, Alconbury and Molesworth|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC.co.uk|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-30725366}}</ref> In January 2016, as a result of the proposed US withdrawal, the UK government announced the site was one of twelve that would be sold as part of their strategy for the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] estate, although no date for the sale was given.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-minister-mark-lancaster-announces-release-of-mod-sites-for-development|title=Defence Minister Mark Lancaster announces release of MOD sites for development|work=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]|publisher=Gov.uk|access-date=18 January 2016}}</ref> It was planned to relocate units based at Mildenhall to [[Spangdahlem Air Base]] in Germany.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Everstine|first=Brian W.|date=29 July 2020|title=U.S. to End Spangdahlem Air Base's Mission, Remove 11,900 Personnel From Germany|url=https://www.airforcemag.com/u-s-to-end-spangdahlem-air-bases-mission-remove-11900-personnel-from-germany/|access-date=29 July 2020|website=Air Force Magazine|publisher=Air Force Association|language=en-US}}</ref>

A change in political administration in the United States, heightened security concerns on the part of the United States, the UK and [[NATO]] pertaining to Europe and the Middle East, and a variety of other issues prompted a reassessment on Mildenhall's closure. By 2017, the closure process had been put on indefinite hold and in February 2020, it was reported it had been extended to at least 2027.<ref name="East Anglian Daily Times">{{cite news|last1=Reason|first1=Matt|date=18 April 2017|title=RAF Mildenhall USAF base closure to be reconsidered by EUCOM|language=en|work=East Anglian Daily Times|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/raf-mildenhall-usaf-base-closure-to-be-reconsidered-by-eucom-1-4979025|access-date=18 April 2017|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125082303/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/raf-mildenhall-usaf-base-closure-to-be-reconsidered-by-eucom-1-4979025|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=14 February 2020|title=RAF Mildenhall Closure Delayed Until at Least 2027.|work=Forces News|url=https://www.forces.net/news/raf-mildenhall-closure-delayed-until-least-2027|access-date=17 February 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, the Department of Defense announced that the US military would in fact be withdrawing from Spangdahlem and that the 100th Air Refueling Wing and 352nd Special Operations Wing would remain at Mildenhall, thereby keeping the base open for the foreseeable future.<ref name=":0" />

==Protests==
[[File:RAF Mildenhall (44255127260).jpg|thumb|Aircraft parked at RAF Mildenhall during 2014]]
Since the beginning of its use by the USAF, Mildenhall has been the site of many anti-war protests by the [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]] and other peace groups. In January 2003, students cut a hole in the perimeter fence and accessed the base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/protesters-arrested-at-suffolk-base-1-131793|title = Protesters arrested at Suffolk base|date = 5 January 2003}}</ref> Later, in April 2003, protestors with [[Stop the War Coalition]] broke into the base to unfurl a banner with the words: “Stop Killing Each Other”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/protesters-climb-fence-at-raf-mildenhall-1.3776|title = Protesters climb fence at RAF Mildenhall}}</ref>

Notable protesters include MP and former Labour party leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] and former CND chair [[Kate Hudson (activist)|Kate Hudson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cnduk.org/peace-camps-set-raf-mildenhall-brize-norton/|title = Peace Camps Set up at RAF Mildenhall and Brize Norton -|date = 14 August 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/cambridge/2006/10/352412.html|title=Indymedia Cambridge, UK &#124; Anti-Nuclear Campaigners Locked-On to Munitions Gate at USAF Lakenheath NOW}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Royal Air Force stations]]
* [[RAF Thorpe Abbotts]]
* [[Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom]]
* [[RAF Lakenheath]]

==References==
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{USGovernment|url=http://www.mildenhall.af.mil|title=RAF Mildenhall|agency=United States Air Force}}

===Citations===
{{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}}
*{{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://www.crouze.com/baugher/usaf_serials/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present]
* [http://www.strategic-air-command.com/home.htm Strategic-Air-Command.com]

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

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{{USAF Air Forces in Europe}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mildenhall}}
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1934]]
[[Category:Airports in England]]
[[Category:Mildenhall, Suffolk]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1934 establishments in England]]