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.
asserted
Mildenhall → begin → 1951
Residents in west Suffolk are used to the sight and sounds of huge planes.
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Residents → use → planes
RAF Lakenheath, also used by the US military, is just 5.5 miles (8.8km) away from Mildenhall.
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Lakenheath → use → Mildenhall
On Monday, reports emerged that almost all aircraft had left RAF Mildenhall due to an alleged threat from Iran.
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aircraft → emerge → Iran
Although the site belongs to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it is operated by the US Air Force (USAF).
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it → belong → Force
About 3,000 military personnel are stationed at the base, which is about 80 miles (130km) north of London.
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which → station → 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.
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which → include → aircraft
RAF Fairford was the target of an alleged Iran-linked plot in September.
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Fairford → allege → September
The MoD and US Air Force have not confirmed why aircraft were removed from RAF Mildenhall.
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aircraft → confirm → 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.
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Force → open → 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.
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aircraft → coincide → Melbourne
Within six hours of the official declaration of war on Germany in 1939, bombers took off from RAF Mildenhall.
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bombers → take → Mildenhall
Throughout the rest of World War Two aircraft including Lancaster, Stirling and Wellington bombers flew from the base.
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aircraft → include → 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.
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They → involve → June
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.
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it → take → Stratotankers
An RAF presence remained until 1967.
What is it used for now?
The base is mostly used for refuelling and maintenance operations.
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base → remain → operations
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, external.
uncertain
Planes → include → website
It has been used as a staging area for aircraft and material bound for the Middle East.
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It → use → East
Air refuelling tankers were "forward deployed" to the region during operations against Iran.
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tankers → refuel → 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.
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One → carry → UK
Previous security issues
In 2024, drones were spotted over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, sparking a major alert.
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drones → spot → 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.
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vehicles → focus → Sea
The future of RAF Mildenhall
In 2020, the US Airforce reversed a decision that would have seen RAF Mildenhall shut in 2027.
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Mildenhall → reverse → decision
The base was described as "crucial to operational efficiency" of US forces in Europe.
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base → describe → Europe
The Aporia
