Post by Vonsmalhausen on Nov 7, 2005 14:40:11 GMT 2
found this news on EDP24 about Mildenhall being retrograted from HQ of 3th USAF to a satelite base of 16th USAF
i'll just copy/past the article, as i can't make the link working
( here's a link to the homepage of EDP24 new.edp24.co.uk/ )
so full credits to the EDP24 site for the news, and the Warplane forum where i found it
01 November 2005 18:02
One of the major American air bases in the eastern region was formally downgraded today as part of a global restructuring by the US military.
RAF Mildenhall will no longer be headquarters of the US 3rd Air Force. From today it officially became a satellite base for the US 16th Air Force, which has its headquarters at Ramstein in Germany.
However US, and Ministry of Defence, sources are anxious to emphasise that this is not part of moves for the US military to wind down its presence in the eastern region.
They stress it is simply part of a restructuring process that streamlines static headquarters and beefs up America's “war footing” capabilities.”
A military source told the EDP said: “The Americans have held a review of their forces worldwide as part of a 'global posture' review.
“The aim is to improve their ability to deploy more rapidly to deal with the international threat. Part of that is to streamline static headquarters in favour of war footing headquarters.”
With the 3rd Air Force at Mildenhall 'de-activated', its senior figure will no longer be the commander of the 3rd Air Force but will now be the vice commander of the 16th Air Force. He will, however, remain the senior American military representative in the UK.
From now, one of the activities at Mildenhall will be a shift towards co-ordinating more humanitarian operations in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa.
Already part of the change has taken place with the setting up of the 501st Combat Support Wing in May, which will look after American bases at Alconbury, Croughton, Fairford and Menwith Hill. It will also be responsible for joint decisions made with the MoD in the UK.
The 3rd Air Force was de-activated in a ceremony at the base today when Major General Michael Gould formally relinquished command and was succeeded by Major General Paul Fletcher as vice commander of the 16th Air Force.
US sources say the 3rd Air Force inactivation marks the consolidation of all US Air Forces in Europe under its Warfighting Headquarters Ramstein.
“The US Air Force recognises the special relationship that has been fostered since World War II with our British hosts who have been our best allies and closest friends for years,” said General Fletcher.
“This transformation won't change that relationship and does not affect RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. These two bases have enduring value to the US Air Force.”
Lt General Rod Bishop, USAFE vice commander add: “This transformation will enhance our role as an expeditionary Air Force by consolidating our contingency response capability.
“At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to and partnership with the United Kingdom, as we have done for decades.”
Around 140 military personnel and their dependants will be affected, no civilian posts will be lost and there will be no significant impact on the local economy.
The 48th Fighter Wing and 100th Air Refuelling Wing will not be affected and none are planned
US and MoD sources emphasise this is not the first step of the Americans pulling out of East Anglia but stress it is part of a slimming down of US static headquarters.
The US Air Force began its presence in the UK in May 1942. The 8th Air Force, the largest air unit ever committed to battle, departed England for the United States after the Allied victory in World War II.
In response to the Cold War, and to continue a presence in the UK, the 3rd Air Force was activated at South Ruislip, near London, on May 1, 1951. In 1972, 3rd Air Force headquarters moved to RAF Mildenhall.
i'll just copy/past the article, as i can't make the link working
( here's a link to the homepage of EDP24 new.edp24.co.uk/ )so full credits to the EDP24 site for the news, and the Warplane forum where i found it
01 November 2005 18:02
One of the major American air bases in the eastern region was formally downgraded today as part of a global restructuring by the US military.
RAF Mildenhall will no longer be headquarters of the US 3rd Air Force. From today it officially became a satellite base for the US 16th Air Force, which has its headquarters at Ramstein in Germany.
However US, and Ministry of Defence, sources are anxious to emphasise that this is not part of moves for the US military to wind down its presence in the eastern region.
They stress it is simply part of a restructuring process that streamlines static headquarters and beefs up America's “war footing” capabilities.”
A military source told the EDP said: “The Americans have held a review of their forces worldwide as part of a 'global posture' review.
“The aim is to improve their ability to deploy more rapidly to deal with the international threat. Part of that is to streamline static headquarters in favour of war footing headquarters.”
With the 3rd Air Force at Mildenhall 'de-activated', its senior figure will no longer be the commander of the 3rd Air Force but will now be the vice commander of the 16th Air Force. He will, however, remain the senior American military representative in the UK.
From now, one of the activities at Mildenhall will be a shift towards co-ordinating more humanitarian operations in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa.
Already part of the change has taken place with the setting up of the 501st Combat Support Wing in May, which will look after American bases at Alconbury, Croughton, Fairford and Menwith Hill. It will also be responsible for joint decisions made with the MoD in the UK.
The 3rd Air Force was de-activated in a ceremony at the base today when Major General Michael Gould formally relinquished command and was succeeded by Major General Paul Fletcher as vice commander of the 16th Air Force.
US sources say the 3rd Air Force inactivation marks the consolidation of all US Air Forces in Europe under its Warfighting Headquarters Ramstein.
“The US Air Force recognises the special relationship that has been fostered since World War II with our British hosts who have been our best allies and closest friends for years,” said General Fletcher.
“This transformation won't change that relationship and does not affect RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. These two bases have enduring value to the US Air Force.”
Lt General Rod Bishop, USAFE vice commander add: “This transformation will enhance our role as an expeditionary Air Force by consolidating our contingency response capability.
“At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to and partnership with the United Kingdom, as we have done for decades.”
Around 140 military personnel and their dependants will be affected, no civilian posts will be lost and there will be no significant impact on the local economy.
The 48th Fighter Wing and 100th Air Refuelling Wing will not be affected and none are planned
US and MoD sources emphasise this is not the first step of the Americans pulling out of East Anglia but stress it is part of a slimming down of US static headquarters.
The US Air Force began its presence in the UK in May 1942. The 8th Air Force, the largest air unit ever committed to battle, departed England for the United States after the Allied victory in World War II.
In response to the Cold War, and to continue a presence in the UK, the 3rd Air Force was activated at South Ruislip, near London, on May 1, 1951. In 1972, 3rd Air Force headquarters moved to RAF Mildenhall.
