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Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath

Part of United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)
Located Near Lakenheath, Suffolk, United Kingdom

F-15E Strike Eagles of the 48th Fighter, Statue of Liberty Wing
Type Air Force Base
Built 1941
In use 1941-1944,1947-Present
Current
owner		 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
Controlled by Royal Air Force
United States Air Force
Garrison Royal Air Force (1941-1948)
Strategic Air Command (1951-1959)
United States Air Forces In Europe (1948-1951, 1959-Present)
Battles/wars European Theatre of World War II (RAF)
RAF Lakenheath (Suffolk)
RAF Lakenheath
Map showing the location of RAF Lakenheath within Suffolk. The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U Lakenheath is a village in Suffolk, England It has around 8200 residents and is situated in the Forest Heath district of Suffolk close to the county boundaries Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U The European Theatre of Operations ( ETO) was an area of heavy fighting across Europe during World War II, from Nazi Germany's Invasion of Poland
RAF Lakenheath
IATA: LKZ – ICAO: EGUL
Summary
Airport type Military
Operator United States Air Force
Location Lakenheath
Elevation AMSL 32 ft / 10 m
Coordinates 52°24′30″N 00°33′24″E / 52.40833, 0.55667
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
06/24 9,000 2,743 Concrete/Asphalt

RAF Lakenheath (IATA: LKZ, ICAO: EGUL) is a Royal Air Force airfield located near Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around The term above mean sea level ( AMSL) refers to the Elevation (on the ground or Altitude (in the Air) of any object relative to the A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Concrete is a construction material composed of Cement (commonly Portland cement) as well as other cementitious materials such as Fly ash and Slag Asphalt ( is a sticky black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude Petroleums and in some natural deposits sometimes termed asphaltum An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around Lakenheath is a village in Suffolk, England It has around 8200 residents and is situated in the Forest Heath district of Suffolk close to the county boundaries Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Although technically an RAF station, it primarily hosts United States Air Force units and 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 (USAFE). The 48th Fighter Wing ( 48 FW) is part of the United States Air Force Third Air Force, assigned to HQ Air Command Europe, and is based at The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U

Contents

48th Fighter Wing

Main article: 48th Fighter Wing

The 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath is also designated the Air Force’s Statue of Liberty Wing, and is the only USAF wing with both a numerical designation and an official name. The 48th Fighter Wing ( 48 FW) is part of the United States Air Force Third Air Force, assigned to HQ Air Command Europe, and is based at Since its activation at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France on 10 July 1952 the Liberty Wing has been one of the premier fighter wings of the United States Air Forces in Europe, spending its over 50-year existence as part of USAFE. Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base is a former United States Air Force base in France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U The 48 FW has nearly 5,700 active-duty military members, 2,000 British and U. S. civilians, and includes a geographically separated unit (GSU) at nearby RAF Feltwell. RAF Feltwell is a Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, East Anglia that is currently used by the United States Air Forces Europe.

Tactical squadrons of the 48th Operations Group are:

Aircraft of the 48th FW carry the tail code "LN".

In addition to supporting three combat-ready squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft, the Liberty Wing houses the 56th Rescue Squadron’s HH-60G Combat Search and Rescue helicopters. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

RAF Lakenheath and its nearby sister base, RAF Mildenhall, are the two main U. RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force (RAF station located at Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. S. Air Force-operated bases in United Kingdom, and the 48th Fighter Wing is the only U. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) F-15 fighter wing.

Part of the 48th FW mission is the deployment of about 110 tactical B61 nuclear bombs using F-15E aircraft. The B61 Nuclear bomb is the primary Thermonuclear weapon in the U The B61 nuclear bombs are stored in vaults inside the base's Hardened Aircraft Shelters using the WS3 Weapon Storage and Security System, and are the only tactical nuclear weapons still stored in the United Kingdom. Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS or Protective Aircraft Shelter (PAS are a reinforced structure to house and protect Military aircraft from enemy attack The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located [1][2] As a matter of national security, the United States government does not disclose the status of their nuclear arsenal and as a result it is impossible to determine the disposition of the nuclear mission at Lakenheath.

History

The first use of Lakenheath Warren as a Royal Flying Corps airfield was in World War I when the area was made into a bombing and ground-attack range for aircraft flying from elsewhere in the area. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All It appears to have been little used and was abandoned when peace came in 1918.

World War II

In 1940, the Air Ministry selected Lakenheath as an alternative satellite for RAF Mildenhall and was first used as a decoy airfield. The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force. RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force (RAF station located at Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. Prior to actual construction, false lights, runways and aircraft diverted Luftwaffe attacks from the nearby RAF Mildenhall. ( German 'luftvafe is a generic German term for an Air force. RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force (RAF station located at Mildenhall in Suffolk, England.

Hard runways were put down with the main runway, 05-23, being 2,000 yards, and the subsidiaries, 12-30 at 1,300 yards and 17-35 at 1,400 yards. At a later date another 100 yards was added to runway 17-35. Hardstands for 36 aircraft were built along with two T-2s and a B-1 hangar. One T-2 was on the technical site and the other hangars to the east across the A1065 Mildenhall-Brandon road were reached by taxiways.

Lakenheath Airfield was initially used by RAF flying units on detachment late in 1941. As planned, the station soon functioned as a Mildenhall satellite with Stirling bombers of No. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 149 Squadron being dispersed from the parent airfield as soon as conditions allowed. The squadron exchanged its Vickers Wellingtons for Stirlings late in 1941. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout After becoming fully operational with its new aircraft, the squadron moved into Lakenheath in April 1942 and remained in residence until 1944.

Taking part in more than 350 operations, of which more than half involved mine-laying, 149 Squadron had one of the lowest percentage loss rates of all the Stirling squadrons. One of No. 149's Stirling pilots, Flight Sergeant Rawdon Middleton, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour on the night of November 28/29, 1942 when he sustained serious face wounds from shell-fire during a raid on Turin. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since Despite great pain and loss of blood, he determinedly brought the damaged aircraft back to the coast of southern England. With fuel nearly exhausted his crew were ordered to bail out. Middleton was killed when the Stirling, BF372 OJ-H, crashed into the English Channel.

In early 1943 three T-2 hangars were erected on the north side of the airfield for glider storage, some 40 Horsa Gliders being dispersed at Lakenheath during that year. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

In June 1943 No. 199 Squadron was established as a second Stirling squadron at Lakenheath. Commencing operations on 31 July, it was engaged principally in mine-laying during the winter of 1943-44. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently At the end of April 1944, after 68 operations, the squadron was transferred to No. 100 Group for bomber support operations moving to RAF North Creake in May 1944.

No. 149 Squadron ended its long association with RAF Lakenheath the same month, taking its Stirlings to RAF Methwold. Between them the two squadrons lost 116 Stirling Bombers in combat while flying from Lakenheath.

The reason for the departure of the two bomber squadrons was Lakenheath's selection for upgrading to a Very Heavy Bomber airfield. Lakenheath was one of three RAF airfields being prepared to receive United States Army Air Force Boeing B-29 Superfortresses which were tentatively planned to replace some of Eighth Air Force's Third Air Division B-24 Liberator groups spring of 1945. The United States Army Air Forces ( USAAF) was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II. Eighth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force (NAF of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC

The work entailed removal of the existing runways and laying new ones comprising 12 inches of high-grade concrete. The main at 07-25 was 3,000 yards long; the subsidiaries, 01-19 and 14-32, both 2,000 yards; all three being 100 yards wide. Part of the A1065 road between Brandon and Mildenhall was closed and a new section built further to the east on the Warren. Brandon is a small Town and Civil parish in the English county of Suffolk. During the peak period of construction over 1,000 men were working on the site; yet instead of the 12 months planned, it took 18 months for the ground work alone and 2 1/2 years before Lakenheath's transformation was complete. The cost was nearly £2 million.

By the time construction ended the war with Germany was over and RAF Lakenheath was put on a care and maintenance status. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

United States Air Force Use

Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union in Europe began as early as 1946. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 In November, President Harry S. Truman ordered Strategic Air Command B-29 bombers to RAF Burtonwood, and from there to various bases in West Germany as a "training deployment". The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U RAF Burtonwood was a Royal Air Force base in England, NW of Warrington in Cheshire. In May 1947 additional B-29s were sent to the UK and Germany to keep up the presence of a training program. These deployments were only a cover-up, as the true aim of these B-29s were to have a strategic air force permanently stationed in Europe.

In April 1947 RAF Bomber Command returned to Lakenheath and had the runways repaired, resurfaced, and readied for operations by May 1948.

Strategic Air Command

Boeing B-50D
Boeing B-50D
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker, 1951
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker, 1951
USAF Boeing B-47E-50-LM (AF Serial No. 52-3363) in flight.
USAF Boeing B-47E-50-LM (AF Serial No. 52-3363) in flight.

In response to the threat by the Soviet Union, by the 1948 Berlin blockade President Truman decided to realign USAFE into a permanent combat-capable force. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 11 May 1949 was one of the first major international crises of the Cold war. In July, B-29 Superfortresses of the SAC 2nd Bombardment Group were deployed to Lakenheath for a 90-day temporary deployment.

On 27 November 1948 operational control of RAF Lakenheath was transferred from the Royal Air Force to USAFE. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The first USAFE host unit at RAF Lakenheath was the 7504th Base Completion Squadron, being activated that date. The squadron was elevated to an Air Base Group (ABG) on 28 January 1950 and to a Wing (ABW) on 26 September 1950. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Control of RAF Lakenheath was allocated to Third Air Force at South Ruislip Air Station which had command of SAC B-29 operations in England. Third Air Force is a Numbered air force (NAF of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE Third Air Force was subsequently placed directly under USAF orders, with Strategic Air Command establishing the 7th Air Division Headquarters at RAF Mildenhall. RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force (RAF station located at Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. The collocation of the two headquarters within the United Kingdom allowed HQ USAFE to discharge its responsibilities in England, while at the same time allowing Strategic Air Command to continue in its deterrent role while retaining operational control over flying activities at Lakenheath.

By 1950 Lakenheath was one of three main operating bases for the U. S. Strategic Air Command in the UK, the others were RAF Marham and RAF Sculthorpe. The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U Royal Air Force Station Marham, commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station, a Military Airbase, near the RAF Sculthorpe is a helicopter training facility for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, situated about 3 miles west of Fakenham in Norfolk, A succession of bombardment squadrons and wings, 33 in all, rotated through Lakenheath, the B-29s giving way to the improved B-50 Superfortresses and then, in June 1954, B-47 Stratojets.

On 1 May 1951 Lakenheath was transferred from USAFE to SAC and placed under the 3909th Air Base Group. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January By 1952 high security perimeter fencing was erected for security. The 3909th moved to RAF Greenham Common in 1954 and was replaced by the 3910th Air Base Group. RAF Greenham Common is a former World War II and NATO Cold War airfield located on the border between Greenham and Crookham

Known SAC units which deployed to RAF Lakenheath were:

The increasing tension of the Cold War lead to a re-evaluation of these deployments and by 1953 SAC bombers began to move its heavy bomb groups further west, behind RAF fighter forces, to RAF Brize Norton, RAF Greenham Common, RAF Upper Heyford and RAF Fairford, while its shorter-range B-47 were sent to East Anglia. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Events 1192 - Minamoto Yoritomo becomes Seii Tai Shōgun and the De facto ruler of Japan. Walker Air Force Base was the largest Strategic Air Command base of the United States Air Force at the time of its closure in 1967 New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy March Air Force Base (1918-1993 is a former front-line United States Air Force base located 10 miles Southeast of Riverside California and about 65 miles East of California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. Hunter Army Airfield, located in Savannah Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located three Nautical miles (6 km) east of the Central business district of The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Biggs Army Airfield, also known as Biggs AAF, is a military Airport located at Fort Bliss in El Paso Texas, USA. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life March Air Force Base (1918-1993 is a former front-line United States Air Force base located 10 miles Southeast of Riverside California and about 65 miles East of California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, about 50 miles west of London, England, United Kingdom, is the largest airbase of the Royal Air Force RAF Greenham Common is a former World War II and NATO Cold War airfield located on the border between Greenham and Crookham RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford Oxfordshire, England. RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire, England.

Many SAC Squadrons had aircraft at RAF Lakenheath on a transitotry basis without any recorded deployment to the base. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. McCoy Air Force Base (1940-1947 1951-1975 is a former United States Air Force base located 10 miles (16 km south of Orlando, Florida. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Kansas ( is a Midwestern state in the central region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the American " Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. Whiteman Air Force Base ( Whiteman AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force in Johnson County, Missouri, United States Missouri ( or) is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted For the civil use of this facility see Lincoln Airport Lincoln Air National Guard Base is home to the Nebraska Air National Guard's Nebraska ( is a state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States and Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Forbes Air Force Base, previously Topeka Army Airfield, is a Kansas Air National Guard installation located five miles (8 km south of Topeka Kansas. Kansas ( is a Midwestern state in the central region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the American " Events 1340 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Walker Air Force Base was the largest Strategic Air Command base of the United States Air Force at the time of its closure in 1967 New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople For the civil use of this facility see Lincoln Airport Lincoln Air National Guard Base is home to the Nebraska Air National Guard's Nebraska ( is a state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States and For example in January 1951, a detachment of Convair RB-36D Peacemaker intercontinental bombers from the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Travis AFB, California arrived for a few days and various tanker and transport aircraft also made periodic appearances at the base. Travis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force air base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command (AMC located three miles (5 California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Several of the temporary detachments included in-flight refuelling tanker aircraft.

Meanwhile on 30 April 1956 two Lockheed U-2s were airlifted to RAF Lakenheath to form CIA Detachment A. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The first flight of the U-2 was on 21 May. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. The Central Intelligence Agency unit did not remain long, moving to Wiesbaden Air Base, West Germany on 15 June. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all Wiesbaden Army Airfield is located southeast of the city of Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany. West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany ( Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history

A near nuclear accident occurred on 27 July 1956, when a B-47 bomber crashed into a storage igloo at Lakenheath containing three MK-6 nuclear weapons while on a routine training mission. This article covers notable accidents involving nuclear devices and radioactive materials Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Mark 6 nuclear bomb was an American Nuclear bomb based on the earlier Mark 4 nuclear bomb and its predecessor the Mark 3 Fat Man nuclear bomb Although the bombs involved in the accident did not have their fissile cores installed, each of them carried about 8,000 pounds of high explosives as part of their trigger mechanism. The crash and ensuing fire did not ignite the high explosives and no detonation occurred. The damaged weapons and components were later returned to the Atomic Energy Commission. The B-47 involved in the accident, which killed four crewmen, was part of the 307th Bombardment Wing. [3]

48th Fighter Wing

A 492d Fighter Squadron F-15E Eagle from Lakenheath lifts off from the airfield's runway
A 492d Fighter Squadron F-15E Eagle from Lakenheath lifts off from the airfield's runway
McDonnell Douglas F-15C-42-MC Eagle AF Serial No. 86-0175 taxis for takeoff
McDonnell Douglas F-15C-42-MC Eagle AF Serial No. 86-0175 taxis for takeoff

Following French President 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 North American F-100-equipped units from France. Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle ( ( 22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970) was a French General and statesman who led the Free French The 48th TFW left its base at Chaumont AB, France on 15 January 1960, its aircraft arriving at Lakenheath that afternoon. Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base is a former United States Air Force base in France. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. When the first F-100D touched down on RAF Lakenheath’s runway, the landing symbolized a return for the Statue of Liberty Wing. Almost 16 years had passed since the World War II Ninth Air Force 48th Fighter Group’s arrival at RAF Ibsley, England, for the D-Day invasion. Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central is a Numbered Air Force in Air Combat Command (ACC RAF Ibsley is a former World War II -era RAF station and airfield in England. Operation Overlord was the code name for the invasion of northwest Europe during World War II by Allied forces

In conjunction with this transfer, control of RAF Lakenheath was transferred from Strategic Air Command back to USAFE. As SAC elements began their departure, the 3910th Air Base Group began its transition of handing RAF Lakenheath’s facilities and real estate over to the 48th’s Combat Support Group elements.

The tactical components of the 48th TFW upon arrival at Lakenheath were:

The squadron markings consisted of alternating stripes across the tailfin in squadon colors, with a shadowed "V" shaped chevron on the nose. Starting in March 1970 squadron tail codes (shown above) were added when the aircraft went from a natural finish to a Southeast Asian camoflauge motif.

The period between 1972 and 1977 can be described as a five-year aircraft conversion. Beginning in late 1971 the 48th TFW started its conversion to the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, with the aircraft being transferred from the 81st TFW at RAF Bentwaters. RAF Bentwaters is a former Royal Air Force station about 80 miles NE of London, 10 miles ENE of Ipswich, near Woodbridge, Suffolk The conversion to the F-4D took several years, with the last F-100 departing in August 1974. With the arrival of the Phantoms, the F-4s adopted a common tail code of "LK". This tail code lasted only a few months as in July and August 1972 the 48th TFW further recoded to "LN". The F-4D carried squadron identifying fin cap colors of blue, yellow and red (492d, 493d, 494th respectivley).

The F-4's service with the 48th TFW was short as operation "Ready Switch" transferred the F-4D assets to the 474th TFW at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Clark County, Nevada. Nevada ( is a state located in the western region of the United States of America. The 474th sent their General Dynamics F-111As to the 347th TFW at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and the 347th sent their F-111Fs to Lakenheath in early 1977. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Mountain Home Air Force Base is a US Air Force base located west of the city of Mountain Home in Elmore County, Idaho, United States The State of Idaho ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America.

A fourth fighter squadron, the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated with the 48th TFW on 1 April 1977 with a squadron tail color of green. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays This was 33 years to the day since the squadron’s inactivation. The 495th’s mission of functioning as a replacement training unit for the other three fighter squadrons made the 48th TFW unique in two ways. First, it made the 48th the only combat unit in USAFE with four squadrons.

Lakenheath began to receive its first McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagles in 1992. With the departure of the F-111s, the 495th FS was inactivated on 13 December 1991. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. On 18 December 1992 the last F-111 departed the base. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Along with its departure, the 493d FS was also inactivated.

With the pending closure of Bitburg Air Base, Germany on 25 February 1994 it was decided to reactivate the 493d as an F-15C/D squadron. For the civil airport use of this facility after 1994 see Bitburg Airport Bitburg Air Base (1952-1994 was a front-line NATO base during Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Aircraft were transferred from the 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida and the 493d was reactivated on 1 January. The 33d Fighter Wing ( 33 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located southwest of Valparaiso in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC The 493d’s arrival meant that the 48th became the largest F-15E/F-15C composite unit in the U. S. Air Force.

In 2003, the 48th FW received the first of 10 new F-15Es. The aircraft were part of the final batch of F-15s expected to be ordered by the USAF.

See also

References

Some of the text in an early version of this article was taken from pages on the RAF Lakenheath website, which as a work of the U. This List of RAF stations is a comprehensive list of all stations, Airbases airfields and administrative Headquarters of the Royal Air Force The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U Since 1941 the United States has maintained air bases in the United Kingdom. During the mid- to late 1940s the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE was occupied with supporting the movement of men and aircraft of the Strategic Air Command (SAC S. Government is presumed to be a public domain resource. The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone That information was supplemented by:

  1. ^ Hans M. Kristensen (February 2005), U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe, Natural Resources Defense Council, <http://www.nrdc.org/nuclear/euro/euro.pdf>. The Natural Resource Defense Council ( NRDC) is a New York City -based Non-profit, Non-partisan international environmental Advocacy Retrieved on 23 May 2006 
  2. ^ Col Bret T. Klassen (29 January 2007), United States Air Forces in Europe Instruction 91-125 - Nuclear Surety Staff Assistance Visit (NSSAV) AND Functional Expert Visit (FEV) program management, United States Air Forces in Europe, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/doctrine/usaf/afei91-125-2007.pdf>. The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U Retrieved on 29 May 2007 
  3. ^ Cable to Commander-in-Chief Strategic Air Command Gen Curtis LeMay. U.S. Department of Defense (July 27, 1956). The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government Retrieved on 2006-07-05. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England.

External links

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