About Mildenhall:
• Mildenhall History
Location:
• Google Map
• County: Suffolk
• Satnav Postcode: IP28 8NG
Travel Information:
• Directions - Enter your postcode
• AA Route Finder
• RAC Route Finder
• National Rail
• National Express
Accommodation:
• Travelodge
• Premier Inn
Weather Forecast:
• General UK weather forecast
• Local weather Met Office
• Local weather BBC
Mildenhall Photographs:
• Photos (2000)
• Photos (1997)
General Information:
• Scanner Frequencies
• Checklists
Official Website & Links:
• RAF Mildenhall Website
• Mildenhall Facebook
• Mildenhall Twitter
• RAF Mildenhall Page
UK Airshows 2024:
UK Airshows (England):
• Shuttleworth Airshows
• Duxford Airshows
• Royal International Air Tattoo
• Farnborough Airshow
• RAF Cosford Airshow
• Flying legends Airshow - cancelled
• Abingdon Air & Country Show
• Midlands Air Festival
• Little Gransden Airshow
• Airbourne (Eastbourne) Airshow
• Southport Airshow
• Clacton Airshow
• Bournemouth Air Festival
• Blackpool Airshow
• English Riviera Airshow
• Teignmouth Airshow
• Headcorn Battle of Britain
• Old Buckenham Airshow
• East Kirkby Airshow
• Sywell Airshow
UK Airshows (Wales):
• Wales National Air Show
• Rhyl Air Show - cancelled
UK Airshows (Scotland):
• International Ayr Show
UK Airshows (Northern Ireland):
• NI International Airshow
UK Airshows (Channel Islands):
• Jersey International Air Display
• Guernsey Air Display
Flypasts/Events 2024:
• King's Birthday Flypast
Mildenhall History
Mildenhall was opened in 1934 and was home to a number of bomber squadrons.Throughout the Second World War, Mildenhall took part in the bomber offensive against Germany using Wellingtons, Stirlings, and Lancasters. After the War, the station remained under RAF Bomber Command flying Lancasters, and Lincolns.
In 1950 it was transfered to the USAF under the control of Strategic Air Command (SAC) and flying the B-47 and B-50. In more recent times it has been involved in tactical airlift, airbourne command & control, air to air refueling, and strategic reconnaissance duties using a variety of different aircraft including the C-124 Globemaster, C-133 Cargomaster, C-130 Hercules, C-141 Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy, tanker aircraft, EC-135, E-3A Sentry (AWACS), and the awesome Mach 3 SR-71 Blackbird.
Today, Mildenhall is a major staging post to Europe for US forces and is operated by USAFE. During the Gulf war, Mildenhall was used by US forces to deploy to the Gulf and store tonnes of equipment.
Air Fete began in 1976 as part of the celebration of America's 200th birthday. It was held every year, usually on Memorial Day weekend, until 1999, when it was called off during Operation Allied Force, the NATO-led effort to push the Serbs from the Kosovo province. It was held again in 2000 and 2001 with crowds reaching half a million people for the Saturday and Sunday. In recent years the Air Fete has been cancelled due to operational requirements in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and a scheduled runway construction project in 2004. There hasn't been an Air Fete at Mildenhall since 2001.
On 8 January 2015 the Department of Defense announced the closure of RAF Mildenhall and the 700 personnel will relocate to Ramstein Air Base and Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany as part of a program to save $500 million a year across Europe. The approximate date of divestiture for RAF Mildenhall was 2024 but this was postponed until at least 2027
(edited Feb 2020). In July 2020 this decision was reversed and RAF Mildenhall will now remain open.