Free Republic

The United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed it will pull out of three UK airbases. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Americans will leave RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. The move is part of a programme to save £320m ($500m) a year across Europe. The USAF lease the RAF bases. Mr Hagel said he understood it would mean job losses and thanked those who had supported the US Air Force. "I know that this will result in a reduction of our local host nations workforces at some locations; I value the...

Over the last few weeks, a number of drones have mysteriously been spotted over four air bases used by the US Air Force (USAF) in the UK. The unmanned aerial devices were first spotted on 20 November, over and in the vicinity of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The unusual activity has prompted an investigation by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) police. Around 60 British troops, including counter-drone specialists, have also been deployed to help defend the bases. ... "However they are still continuously being monitored to ensure...

A man has been arrested after apparently trying to drive through a base used by the US Air Force in Suffolk. Shots were fired by US personnel before the man was detained at RAF Mildenhall. He suffered cuts and bruises and is now in custody of Suffolk Police. The base was temporarily put into lockdown as police responded to reports of what they called a "significant incident." The incident is not thought to be terror related.