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Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall

Part of United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE)
Located near Mildenhall, Suffolk, England
Royal Air Force Mildenhall
Type Air Force Base
Coordinates 52°21′54″N, 000°28′51″E
Built 1934
In use October 16, 1934 - present
Current
owner		 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
Controlled by Royal Air Force
United States Air Force
Commanders Colonel Eden J. The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U Mildenhall is a small Market town and Civil parish in Suffolk, 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 Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters See also Colonel In the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force, colonel Murrie
[1]
Occupants Royal Air Force (1934-Present)
Strategic Air Command (1951-1959)
United States Air Forces In Europe (1950, 1959-Present)
Battles/wars European Theatre of World War II (RAF)
RAF Mildenhall (Suffolk)
RAF Mildenhall
Map showing the location of RAF Mildenhall within Suffolk. 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 Mildenhall

IATA: MHZ – ICAO: EGUN
Summary
Airport type Military
Operator United States Air Force
Location Mildenhall
Elevation AMSL 33 ft / 10 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
11/29 9,221 2,811 Concrete/Asphalt
Tail of a 100 ARW Boeing KC-135R-BN Stratotanker, AF Serial No. 58-0100, displaying the crest of RAF Mildenhall and the historic "Square D" badge as used by the unit during the second world war
Tail of a 100 ARW Boeing KC-135R-BN Stratotanker, AF Serial No. 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 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 58-0100, displaying the crest of RAF Mildenhall and the historic "Square D" badge as used by the unit during the second world war

RAF Mildenhall (IATA: MHZ, ICAO: EGUN) is a Royal Air Force (RAF) station located at Mildenhall 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 Mildenhall is a small Market town and Civil parish in Suffolk, England 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 Despite its status as an RAF station, it primarily supports United States Air Force operations. It is currently the home of the 100th Air Refueling Wing (100 ARW). A United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) unit, the 100 ARW is RAF Mildenhall's "host wing," supporting some 16,000 personnel, three geographically separated units (GSUs) and 15 associated units. 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

Units

RAF Mildenhall hosts units from four different major USAF commands -- Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command and United States Air Forces in Europe; as well as units of the United States Navy. Air Combat Command ( ACC) is a major command (MAJCOM of the United States Air Force. Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC) was established 22 May, 1990, with headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Florida Air Mobility Command (AMC is a Major Command (MAJCOM of the U The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U These being:

RAF Mildenhall and its sister base RAF Lakenheath are the largest United States Air Force bases in the United Kingdom. RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force airfield located near Lakenheath in Suffolk, England

100th Air Refueling Wing

Main article: 100th Air Refueling Wing

The host unit at Mildenhall is the 100th Air Refueling Wing (100 ARW), which deploys aircraft for and manages the European Tanker Task Force, a rotational force which provides air refueling to US and NATO aircraft in the European Theater. It is the only permanent U. S. air refueling wing in the European theater, activated at RAF Mildenhall on 1 February 1992. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) The wing provides the critical air refueling "bridge" that allows the Expeditionary Air Force to deploy around the globe on a moment's notice.

The tactical component of the 100 ARW is the 351st Air Refueling Squadron (351 ARS), flying the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

501st Combat Support Wing

Main article: 501st Combat Support Wing

The 501st Combat Support Wing was activated at RAF Mildenhall on 21 May 2005. The The 501st Combat Support Wing (501 CSW is a United States Air Forces in Europe unit based at RAF Alconbury, England. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It is a non-flying unit that provides administration and operation of the various smaller Air Force units scattered across the UK that are considered Geographically Separate Units (GSU):

352d Special Operations Group

Main article: 352d Special Operations Group

The 352 SOG is the Air Force component for Special Operations Command Europe, a sub-unified command of the US European Command. RAF Croughton is a United States Air Force communications base in Northamptonshire, England, to the southeast of the village of Croughton. RAF Alconbury is a Royal Air Force station adjacent to the Stukeleys near Alconbury and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire, England. The 352d Special Operations Group ( 352 SOG) is the United States Air Force component for Special Operations Command Europe, a sub-unified command of the The 352d Special Operations Group ( 352 SOG) is the United States Air Force component for Special Operations Command Europe, a sub-unified command of the Composition The main combat power of EUCOM is formed around the US Seventh Army, US Sixth Fleet and Third Air Force. It transferred to RAF Mildenhall on 17 February 1995 from RAF Alconbury. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 RAF Alconbury is a Royal Air Force station adjacent to the Stukeleys near Alconbury and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom The 352 SOG has two flying squadrons, a maintenance squadron, an operations support squadron and a special tactics squadron.

The mission of the 352 SOG is to serve as the focal point for all U. S. Air Force special operations activities throughout the European theater, including Africa and the Middle East. The 352 SOG is prepared to conduct a variety of high priority, low-visibility missions supporting U. S. and allied special operations forces throughout the European theater during peacetime, joint operations exercises and combat operations.

The 352nd develops and implements peacetime and wartime contingency plans. It effectively uses fixed-wing and personnel assets in infiltration by, exfiltration by and resupplying of U. S. and allied special operations forces.

The tactical components of the 352nd SOG are the:

95th Reconnaissance Squadron

Main article: 95th Reconnaissance Squadron

The 95th Reconnaissance Squadron conducts RC-135 Rivet Joint flight operations in the European and Mediterranean theaters of operations as tasked by National Command Authorities and European Command. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout It was activated at RAF Mildenhall on 1 July 1994, having been previously assigned to RAF Alconbury. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) RAF Alconbury is a Royal Air Force station adjacent to the Stukeleys near Alconbury and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom

The squadron provides all operational management, aircraft maintenance, administration, and intelligence support to produce politically sensitive real-time intelligence data vital to national foreign policy.

The 95 RS supports RC-135, OC-135, and E-4 missions when theater deployed. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

488th Intelligence Squadron

The 488th Intelligence Squadron a component of the Air Intelligence Agency. The Air Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, headquartered at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, was activated June 8, 2007 Its mission is to deliver multi-source intelligence products, applications, services, and resources. It also provides IO forces and expertise in the areas of information warfare, command and control warfare, security, acquisition, foreign weapons systems and technology,

Also administratively assigned to the 488th Intelligence Squadron is Operating Location Souda Bay, Crete. Crete ( Greek: Κρήτη transliteration: Krētē, modern transliteration Kriti) is the largest of the Greek islands and the

The present 488th Intelligence Squadron traces its lineage back to the 6954th Security Squadron which was originally designated Detachment 1 of the 6985th Security Squadron at RAF Upper Heyford, England, in June 1967. RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford Oxfordshire, 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 The unit moved to RAF Mildenhall, England, in August 1970. In 1974, Detachment 1 of the 6985th Security Squadron was designated as the 6954th Security Squadron.

In August 1979, the 6954th Security Squadron was designated as the 6954th Electronic Security Squadron to coincide with the designation of United States Air Force Security Service as the Electronic Security Command. In November 1990, with the deactivation of the 6916th Electronic Security Squadron, Hellenikon Air Base, Greece, the squadron assumed responsibility for all Electronic Security Command RC-135 support to the United States European Command. Ellinikon International Airport, sometimes spelled Hellinikon (in Greek Ελληνικόν was the international airport of Athens for sixty years up until From October 1990 to March 1991, the squadron conducted operations from OL-RH, 6988th Electronic Security Squadron, Hellenikon AB, Greece.

In October 1991, the 6988th Electronic Security Squadron was subordinated to the Air Force Intelligence Command.

On 1 October 1993, the 6988th Electronic Security Squadron was designated the 488th Intelligence Squadron as part of the ongoing restructuring of Air Force Intelligence and the Air Force Intelligence Command as a field operating agency. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The 488th Intelligence Squadron is under the administrative control of this field operating agency, which was designated Air Intelligence Agency on 1 October 1993. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar)

On 1 February 2001, the Air Intelligence Agency was re-aligned under Eighth Air Force at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Eighth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force (NAF of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located three Nautical miles (6 km) east of the Central business district of This re-alignment placed Air Intelligence Agency under Air Combat Command. Air Combat Command ( ACC) is a major command (MAJCOM of the United States Air Force. In peace and war, the 488th Intelligence Squadron has earned nine Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ( AFOUA) is a decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954

On 1 October 2002, the 488th was re-aligned from the 67th Information Operations Wing to the 55th Wing. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The re-alignment placed all RC-135 assets under one wing, reinforcing the nose to tail importance of this weapons system.

727th Air Mobility Squadron

The 727th Air Mobility Squadron is a unit of the 721st Air Mobility Operations Group, based at Ramstein AB, Germany. Ramstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz.

The 727 AMS is part of AMC’s en route system that provides fixed and deployed maintenance, aerial port and command and control support to deployed command forces across the globe. The squadron has all the necessary support, like fleet service, maintenance and passenger service to allow aircraft and crews to quickly depart for their next destination or stay overnight for crew rest.

The squadron was redesignated as the 727 AMS on 15 March 2001. Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Prior to that, it was designated as the 627th Air Mobility Support Squadron assigned to the 621st Air Mobility Support Group. The change in designation was undertaken to better reflect the operations nature of the group's overall mission as an operational rather than support one.

Mildenhall Unit Emblem Gallery

100th Air Refueling Wing

501st Combat Support Wing

352d Special Operations Group

95th Reconnaissance Squadron

History

Base Operating Units*

. * Cooperative USAF-RAF Operation 11 Jul 1950 - 1 Sep 1959

Major Commands to Which Assigned

Operational History

Origins

RAF Mildenhall opened on October 16, 1934. The United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE) is the United States Air Force component of U 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 Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. King George V reviewed 350 aircraft there in 1935 on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee. This historical event is commemorated by a memorial tablet located in front of the Building 562, the current 100 ARW headquarters. During World War II Mildenhall became a bomber station, flying Vickers Wellingtons, Short Stirlings and Avro Lancasters. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout "Lanc" redirects here Distinguish from Lank (adjective and from Amon Lanc (a place in Tolkien's fiction It was also the headquarters of 3 Group Bomber Command. Number 3 Group of the Royal Air Force was an RAF group first active in 1918 again in 1923-26 part of RAF Bomber Command from 1936 to 1967 and part of RAF Bomber Command was the organisation that controlled the RAF 's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968 From 1950 Mildenhall became home to bombers and later tanker aircraft of the United States Air Force. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1950: Events Arrow Air is founded March Throughout the 1950s, Strategic Air Command bomber units were deployed on a regular rotational basis from the United States to the United Kingdom. The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U The B-47 Stratojet was a familiar sight in the skies over RAF Mildenhall and RAF Upper Heyford at this time, as entire wings deployed on 90-day rotations. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford Oxfordshire, England. From 1976 to 1990, the SR-71 Blackbird was flown out of Mildenhall by Detachment 4 of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing of the USAF. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1976: Events January January 1 - Middle East Airlines Flight 438 This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1990: Events Pan American World Airways and Trans World Airlines, both in WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout RAF Mildenhall was, until 2003, the home of the largest military-sponsored air show in Europe, when it was cancelled because of increasing operational requirements. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 2003 Events February February 1 - The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates

In order to meet a perceived "continental threat", the British military developed the idea to site an RAF 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. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1929: Events Greatest number of fatal civil aircraft crashes in US history This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1931: Events Manufacturer Airspeed Ltd founded in York England. Three years later, RAF Mildenhall opened on 16 October 1934, as one of the RAF’s largest bomber stations. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1934: Events January January 10 - 11 - A flight of six US On the same day, Wing Commander F.J. Linnell, O. B. E. assumed his position as the base’s first station commander. Although open, the base had yet to receive its first complement of military aircraft.

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. The Royal Aero Club ( RAeC) is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom. The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race took place October 1934 as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. At the time, the air race stood as the longest race ever devised and attracted over 70,000 spectators to the base. Even more telling of the race’s significance in the world’s sporting spotlight, on short notice King George V and Queen Mary visited RAF Mildenhall the day before the race. In the end, pilots T. Campbell Black, and C.W.A. Scott flying the de Havilland Comet "Grosvenor House," crossed the finish line first at Melbourne, Australia, less than 72 hours after starting the race. Tom Campbell Black, (born December 1899 Brighton, England - died 19 September 1936, Liverpool, England) was a famous WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

Following this propitious beginning, RAF Mildenhall received its first squadron and aircraft with the arrival of 99B Squadron, equipped with Handley Page Heyford bombers. The Handley Page Heyford was a twin-engine British Biplane bomber of the 1930s

The threat the RAF had envisioned in the late 1920s materialized during the Munich Crisis. The Munich Agreement (Mnichovská dohoda Mníchovská dohoda Münchner Abkommen Accords de Munich was an agreement regarding the Sudetenland, which were areas along borders Between 26 September 1938 and 4 October 1939, the base completed its installation of its defense systems. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1938: Events Imperial Airways inaugurates scheduled service from London This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1939: Events January January 12 - the RAF Auxiliary Air Force Reserve After a brief reprieve from war, the base prepared for war, bringing station defenses and squadrons to full combat readiness. On 3 September 1939, three days after Germany invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Later that same day, three Wellington aircraft from Mildenhall were dispatched to bomb the German naval fleet at Wilhelmshaven. Wilhelmshaven (vɪlhɛlmsˈhaːfən is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany.

World War II

Throughout World War II, RAF Mildenhall remained very active. In addition to its own airfield, the base held responsibility for satellite airfields at Newmarket, Tuddenham, and Lakenheath. RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force airfield located near Lakenheath in Suffolk, England During the course of the war, the base witnessed the transition from the two-engine Wellington, to the Short Stirling, and finally to the four-engine Avro Lancaster. For the duration of the war, except for a brief period to have concrete runways laid in 1943, RAF Mildenhall was involved in most of RAF Bomber Command’s many offensives against Germany. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1943: Events January January 27 - the USAAF makes its first While carrying out its operational duties, the base withstood several attacks by the German Luftwaffe, but was never put out of commission (typically, the base’s downtime after an attack lasted until personnel could fill in the damage to the runways). ( German 'luftvafe is a generic German term for an Air force.

By the end of the war, aircraft from RAF Mildenhall and its satellite airfields dropped over 23,000 tons of explosives, laid 2,000 mines in enemy waters, and flew over 8,000 sorties. Unfortunately, the base also saw the loss of over 200 Wellington, Stirling, and Lancaster aircraft, and more significantly, the loss of over 2,000 aircrew members. Some of those who paid the ultimate price for peace, including Pilot Officer Rawdon Hume Middleton, an Australian who was posthumously awarded Britain’s highest military honor, the Victoria Cross, are buried at St. Johns Church cemetery in Beck Row

Immediately after the war, RAF Mildenhall participated in humanitarian missions, flying home repatriated prisoners of war, and dropping relief supplies to the Dutch people stranded by the flooding caused by the retreating German Army. For the football player of the same name see Ron Middleton (football player. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since 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. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1945: Events January January 1 - the Luftwaffe begins targeting The only remaining RAF unit of significance was Headquarters No 3 Group, Bomber Command, which remained on station until 1967. Bomber Command is an organizational Military unit generally subordinate to the Air force of a Country. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1967: Events The Canadian Golden Centennaires Aerobatic team

USAF Use of RAF Mildenhall

In response to the threat by the Soviet Union, especially after the 1948 Berlin Blockade and the 1950 invasion of South Korea by Communist forces, it was decided to re-establish a strong American force in Europe. 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. The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the On 11 July 1950, RAF Mildenhall was made available to the United States Air Force by the British Ministry of Defense as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-29 Superfortress base, with joint operations with the Royal Air Force units. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U

Prior to Strategic Air Command’s role at RAF Mildenhall, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe established Third Air Force at South Ruislip Air Station in 1948 to command B-29 operations in England. 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 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. The 7th Air Division ( 7 AD) served the United States Air Force with distinction from early 1944 through early 1992 earning an outstanding unit decoration and 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 RAF Mildenhall. The Strategic Air Command (SAC was both a major command and a "specified command" in the U

Strategic Air Command Use
Boeing B-50D
Boeing B-50D
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker, 1951
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker, 1951
Boeing RB-47H-1-BW Stratojet AF Serial No. 53-2496
Boeing RB-47H-1-BW Stratojet AF Serial No. 53-2496

The initial SAC unit to use RAF Mildenhall was the 7511th Air Base Group (later redesignated 3910th AB Group), being activated on 11 July 1950 to prepare the facility for operational use by SAC aircraft.

On 1 May 1951, Strategic Air Command took control of the station rotated Bomb Wings in and out of Mildenhall on temporary duty assignments. 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 The first operational strategic unit to use the base was the Boeing B-50D Superfortress equipped 2d Bomb Wing, arriving on Temporary Duty (TDY) 4 May 1951 from Hunter AFB Georgia, departing on 12 December 1951. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January 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 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian

Other rotational strategic bomb wings at Mildenhall were:

In 1953 RAF Mildenhall's mission was changed from a B-50 bomber base to a Boeing B-47 Stratojet and KC-97 Stratotanker aerial tanker dispersal base. 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. Castle Air Force Base (1941-1995 is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This series of temporary deployments generally involved an entire wing of about 40 B-47s and about 20 tankers being held at readiness for several months, then being relieved by another unit that was based at a different airfield in the UK with the bombers and tankers also at different airfields. In this way SAC could spread out its potential as a Soviet target by placing its short range B-47s, weapons, and personnel on a ring of overseas bases from Greenland to North Africa, of which Mildenhall was one. Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat meaning "Land of the Greenlanders" Grønland is a self-governing Danish Province located between the North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan

These TDYs became a heavy burden for both SAC as well as Military Air Transport Service (MATS) which had to transport thousands of personnel and tons of material to and from the United States in just a few days to support these rotations. Ramey Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} MacDill Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base under the claimancy of the Air Mobility Command ( AMC) Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the 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. 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. Palm Beach International Airport is a public Airport located 3 miles (5 kilometers west of West Palm Beach Florida and serves Palm Beach County. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the 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. For uses after 30 September 1994, see Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Carswell Air Force Base, (1942 - 1994 is Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. MacDill Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base under the claimancy of the Air Mobility Command ( AMC) Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the 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 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 " Kansas ( is a Midwestern state in the central region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the American " Chennault International Airport is a public use Airport located four Nautical miles (7 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 Military Air Transport Service (MATS was a command of the US Air Force from 1948-65 which superseded the Army Air Force's Air Transport Command, its In 1958, it was decided that these rotational TDYs would be replaced by a new system of overseas deployments called Reflex. From then on, rather than being deployed for a few months, a permanent SAC presence would be established at bases with aircraft being deployed for three weeks from several SAC bases, being kept on full alert status ready for instant takeoff at their "Reflex Bases".

Route of Mildenhall Task Forces RB-47H
Route of Mildenhall Task Forces RB-47H

The RB-47s based at RAF Mildenhall performed some of the most sensitive reconnaissance missions of the Cold War. During its service, at least two of these planes were lost flying missions over the Soviet Union. One incident occurred during a photographic mission over the Soviet Union. The plane was intercepted and fired upon by Soviet MiGs and sustained wing damage. Fortunately, it was able to outrun them at altitude and return to RAF Mildenhall. The RB-47s were eventually phased out and replaced with the Lockheed U-2 and SR-71. (See 306th Strategic Wing below)

In 1958 and the first half of 1959 the RAF Mildenhall runway was closed for repairs, and on 1 September 1959 the Royal Air Force ceased regular flying operations, making the USAF the sole operator of the base. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle.

The host base SAC support unit at RAF Mildenhall was the 3910th Air Base Group, changing to the 3932d AB Squadron and lastly 3934th AB Squadron. These units provided the administrative, maintenance and logistical support necessary to the rotating operational wings and squadrons.

7513th Tactical Group
WB-50D of the 58th Weather Squadron
WB-50D of the 58th Weather Squadron

SAC departed RAF Mildenhall in 1959 as its runway requirements 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 US Air Force units in the UK. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1959: Events Unknown The Canadian Golden Hawks aerobatic team On 1 July 1959 USAFE took control of Mildenhall from SAC and the 7543d Air Base Squadron was activated by USAFE as the host unit. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. On 1 September the 7513th Tactical Group took over host unit responsibilities. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle.

RAF Mildenhall became the home for the Military Air Transport Service (later Military Airlift Command) main air passenger terminal for the United Kingdom on 1 March 1959 with the 1625th Support Squadron providing military personnel and dependents service at the terminal with the drawdown at the Burtonwood Air Depot. Military Airlift Command (MAC it an inactive United States Air Force organization Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. RAF Burtonwood was a Royal Air Force base in England, NW of Warrington in Cheshire.

The 53d Weather Squadron was transferred to Mildenhall from RAF Alconbury on 10 August 1959, flying WB-50D Superfortresses s and was assigned with collecting weather data that was transmitted to weather stations for use in preparing forecasts required for the Air Force Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and the U. RAF Alconbury is a Royal Air Force station adjacent to the Stukeleys near Alconbury and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Military Air Transport Service (MATS was a command of the US Air Force from 1948-65 which superseded the Army Air Force's Air Transport Command, its S. Weather Bureau. It was deactivated on 18 March 1960. Events 37 - The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius ' will and proclaims Caligula emperor Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

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 Châteauroux-Déols Air Base, France. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Châteauroux-Déols 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. Upon its arrival at Mildenhall, the 7120th ACCS converted from C-118s to EC-135s which were used as airborne command posts under the code name "Silk Purse"

513th Tactical Airlift Wing
Lockheed C-130A's of the 513th Troop Carrier Wing
Lockheed C-130A's of the 513th Troop Carrier Wing
EC-135H "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post
EC-135H "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post
SAC Lockheed TR-1A of the 95th Recon Squadron
SAC Lockheed TR-1A of the 95th Recon Squadron
USAF Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird, taken December 1994 from an in-flight refueling tanker
USAF Lockheed SR-71B Blackbird, taken December 1994 from an in-flight refueling tanker

On 1 July 1966, Mildenhall welcomed the arrival of the 513th Troop Carrier Wing from Evreux-Fauville Air Base France. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1966: Events Puerto Rican International Airlines begin services Evreux-Fauville Air Base ( Base aérienne 105 Évreux or BA 105) is a French Air Force base located east of the town of Évreux in This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. With its activation on Mildenhall, the 513th TCW assumed operational control of two rotational (7441st, 7742d) Troop Carrier Squadrons of twenty MAC C-130 Hercules and the four Boeing EC-135H "Looking Glass" Flying Command Posts of the 7120th ACCS. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

On 8 July 1958 the Air Force redesignated the 513 TCW the 513th Tactical Airlift Wing (513 TAW) with no change in its mission. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

For the next four years RAF Mildenhall witnessed little change, with only the 10th ACCS replacing the 7120th ACCS on 1 January 1970, and assuming its mission. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 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 Air Station. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1972: Events January January 5 - US President Richard Nixon Third Air Force is a Numbered air force (NAF of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE

306th Strategic Wing

On 1 July 1978 the SAC 306th Strategic Wing was transferred to RAF Mildenhall from Ramstein Air Base, West Germany with a KC-135 air refueling and a RC-135 reconnaissance mission. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The 306th Flying Training Group is a unit of the United States Air Force. Ramstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany ( The 306th also functioned as the focal point for all SAC operations in Europe and became the host unit at RAF Mildenhall. MAC cargo and passenger transport operations continued under the 435th Tactical Airlift Group.

With the arrival of the 306th SW, Mildenhall also became known as SAC's European Reconnaissance center. For many years various typed of Boeing RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft were observed regularly arriving and departing from the Mildenhall runway. Most of these aircraft come from the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Offutt AFB, Nebraska and had the capability to receive radar and radio signals from far behind the borders of the Communist Eastern Bloc. Nebraska ( is a state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States and From Mildenhall the RC-135s flew ELINT and COMINT missions along the borders of Poland, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The twenty or so specialists on board the RC-135s during such missions listened to and recorded military radio frequencies and communications.

The next significant event in Mildenhall’s history came with the arrival of Detachment 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in 1976, which controlled rotational Lockheed U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird operations from the base. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout It is not known when SAC first began making reconnaissance flights in Europe with these aircraft. There are indications that these fast aircraft have been operating in Europe since the end of the 1960s, with an SR-71 making a stopover in August 1970 at RAF Upper Heyford, England, before a mission over the Middle East.

These aircraft carried out strategic photo reconnaissance missions for NATO and the USAF within the framework of the SALT I Agreement of 1972. Under this agreement the Soviet Union and the United States reached agreement on a partial freeze on the number of offensive nuclear weapons and these flights were to check that the Soviets were adhering to the agreement.

As well as the photo missions the 9th SRW gathered telemetry signals from Soviet missile systems. Such missions were carried out using the SR-71 and U-2/TR-1 aircraft and Boeing RC-135s from the 55th SRW. This information was analyzed, together with information originating from reconnaissance satellites to present an intelligence picture for analysis to assemble a good picture of Soviet activities for national decision-making.

The 306th SW also played a major role in the success of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the American attack on the Libyan capital of Tripoli in 1986. The United States bombing of Libya (code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon) comprised the joint United States Air Force, Navy and Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Tripolis ( Arabic: طرابلس Ṭarābulus - also طرابلس الغرب Ṭarā-bu-lus al-Gharb Libyan vernacular: In support of this 14-hour, radio-silence rendezvous mission, the unit deployed the largest number of refueling aircraft ever flown over Europe and the largest fleet of KC-10's ever airborne at one time. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout In addition, the day after the attack 9th SW aircraft made several unmolested flights over the bombed military targets in and around Tripoli and Benghazi.

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 symbolize RAF Mildenhall in the local public's eye. Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)

On 18 June 1987, HQ USAFE designated the 513 TAW as the 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing (513th ACCW) with responsibility for the E-3 Sentry AWCS aircraft at Mildenhall. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1987: Events January January 1 - United States Coast Guard WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The 513th ACCW's mission was to provide theater and Air Force commanders with trained aircrews and maintenance personnel and systems for airborne surveillance, warning and control of U. S. and allied military aviation assets.

Nearly five years later, during the Air Force’s transition to the objective wing structure, the Air Force inactivated the 513th ACCW on 31 January 1992. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1992: Events The European Commission approves three new regulations to liberalize air The 513th was reactivated as a group at Tinker AFB Oklahoma on 15 March 1996 as an Air Force Reserve unit. Tinker Air Force Base is a major US Air Force base located in the southeast Oklahoma City area near the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma ( is a state located in the South Central 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, Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The Air Force Reserve Command ( AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM of the U

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and lessening of Cold War tensions, the "Silk Purse" mission of the 10th ACCS came to an end on 31 December 1991 and the unit was inactivated. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar.

Post Cold War

Six KC-135R Stratotankers move on the RAF Mildenhall taxiway as part of a training mission to validate maintenance and operational capabilities.
Six KC-135R Stratotankers move on the RAF Mildenhall taxiway as part of a training mission to validate maintenance and operational capabilities.
Team Mildenhall Logo
Team Mildenhall Logo

The 306th SW 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. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar)

The 100th ARW provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations. Its aircraft are also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

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 British Ministry of Defence. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1993: Events The 1000th Boeing 747 comes off the production line 26 years after the RAF Alconbury is a Royal Air Force station adjacent to the Stukeleys near Alconbury and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters As a part of this return, the 352nd Special Operations Group and its associated aircraft, the MC-130E, HC-130P/N and MH-53, transferred to RAF Mildenhall in March 1995. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The HC-130 is an extended-range Combat Search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1995: Events January January 26 - Outbreak of the Cenepa War

On 1 July 1994 the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron was activated at Mildenhall, essentially taking over the mission of the deactivated 306th Strategic Wing. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar)

Trivia

See also

References

Some of the text in an early version of this article was taken from pages on the RAF Mildenhall 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. Air Combat Command ( ACC) is a major command (MAJCOM of the United States Air Force. Air Mobility Command (AMC is a Major Command (MAJCOM of the U Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC) was established 22 May, 1990, with headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Florida RAF Thorpe Abbotts is a former World War II airfield in England. 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:

External links

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