How did Mildenhall become crucial to the US Air Force?

For 75 years there has been a slice of America on the outskirts of a small market town in Suffolk.

RAF Mildenhall began life as a base for British bombers throughout the 1930s and World War Two before becoming a hub for US operations in Europe in 1951.

Residents in west Suffolk are used to the sight and sounds of huge planes. RAF Lakenheath, also used by the US military, is just 5.5 miles (8.8km) away from Mildenhall.

On Monday, reports emerged that almost all aircraft had left RAF Mildenhall due to an alleged threat from Iran. But what is the significance of the base?

What is RAF Mildenhall?

The base is on the outskirts of the market town of Mildenhall in Suffolk.

Although the site belongs to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it is operated by the US Air Force (USAF).

About 3,000 military personnel are stationed at the base, which is about 80 miles (130km) north of London.

The USAF's other UK bases include RAF Lakenheath, also in Suffolk - home to the 48th Fighter Wing operating F-15 and F-35 jets - and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which regularly hosts deployments of long-range American aircraft.

RAF Fairford was the target of an alleged Iran-linked plot in September.

The MoD and US Air Force have not confirmed why aircraft were removed from RAF Mildenhall.

A hub for World War Two bombers

The base opened as an RAF bomber station in 1934 and played a key part in World War Two before the US Air Force moved onto the base in 1951.

The official opening by King George V in October 1934 coincided with the Royal Aero Club's England-to-Australia air race, which saw 20 aircraft race from Mildenhall to Melbourne.

Within six hours of the official declaration of war on Germany in 1939, bombers took off from RAF Mildenhall.

Throughout the rest of World War Two aircraft including Lancaster, Stirling and Wellington bombers flew from the base.

They were involved in crucial operations, including some of the first night bombings of Germany in 1940, raids on Cologne in 1942, the last major raid against Berlin and D-Day on 6 June 1944.

The US took over the base in 1951, operating B-29 and B-50 bombers.

During the 1990s it became the main European refuelling tanker base, operating Stratotankers.

An RAF presence remained until 1967.

What is it used for now?

The base is mostly used for refuelling and maintenance operations.

It is home to the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, the only permanent U.S. air refuelling wing in Europe.

Planes include KC-135 Stratotankers, the CV-22 Osprey, the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft and MC-130J Commando II, according to the RAF Mildenhall website.

It has been used as a staging area for aircraft and material bound for the Middle East.

Air refuelling tankers were "forward deployed" to the region during operations against Iran.

Flights carrying US presidents have often used RAF Mildenhall for refuelling, or as a base for Air Force One to land during visits to the UK.

Aviation enthusiasts are often outside the gates.

Previous security issues

In 2024, drones were spotted over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, sparking a major alert.

An investigation by The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a think-tank focusing on defence and security, said the "unmanned aerial vehicles" were likely launched from Russian-linked commercial vessels in the North Sea.

The future of RAF Mildenhall

In 2020, the US Airforce reversed a decision that would have seen RAF Mildenhall shut in 2027.

The base was described as "crucial to operational efficiency" of US forces in Europe.

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