Major US Airbase RAF Mildenhall To Close

The US is pulling out of a major UK airbase and will hand back two others to the RAF.

The Pentagon has recommended that RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk should be closed after carrying out a review of US forces based in Europe, the US Defense Secretary has confirmed.

RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire will also undergo "divestment", but according to US defence news outlet Stars and Stripes they will be returned to British control.

Although all are termed as RAF bases, they have been under the control of the US Air Force for several decades.

RAF Mildenhall is one of the biggest US bases in the country and is home to the US air refuelling tankers, Air Force special operations wing and around 3,200 military personnel.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon described the decision to pull out of Mildenhall as "disappointing".

Stars and Stripes said the 352nd special operations group currently stationed on the base will relocate to Germany.

The Bury Free Press newspaper said that a total of around 2,600 military personnel will be moved to other locations in the UK and Europe, with a reduction of around 1,300 military and civilian staff.

Around 1,200 of the personnel at Alconbury and Molesworth will be reassigned to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. A further 200 military, civilian and "local national" positions will go, the USAF Europe announced.

Other bases in Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Belgium will also close as part of European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process which is intended to save the US government around $500m a year.

General Frank Gorenc, US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFA) commander, said: "The UK remains an essential location for forward-based and ready forces

"Our close relationship with the UK government and integrated missions with UK forces remain integral to USAFE's ability to execute successful missions in support of our NATO Allies.

"The RAF Croughton site ensures continuation of the strong US intelligence relationship with the United Kingdom and will result in an exponential increase in US-NATO intelligence collaboration efforts."

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said: "As part of an overall restructuring of our forces and basing in Europe, we have been working with our Allies to reposition thousands of our military and civilian personnel within Europe.

"In the end, this transformation of our infrastructure will help maximize our military capabilities in Europe, so that we can best support our NATO Allies and partners in the region."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it planned to release a statement on Thursday afternoon.

It is thought the review will recommend the basing of two squadrons of F-35 jets at RAF Lakenheath from 2020, along with 1,200 troops.

The Lakenheath airbase is about four miles from the one in Mildenhall and also in Suffolk. Both airbases make a major contribution to the local economies.

Mildenhall Parish Council chairman John Bloodworth told the Bury Free Press: "It will have a devastating effect on Mildenhall, on employment, the economy and our schools. It is a very sad day for the town."