RAF Mildenhall

RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force station located near Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. Established on October 16, 1934, it was initially one of the RAF's largest bomber stations. Its early history includes hosting the prestigious MacRobertson Air Race in 1934 and serving RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War, with aircraft from Mildenhall and its satellites dropping over 23,000 tons of explosives and flying over 8,000 sorties. The base was also used for the filming of 'Target for Tonight' in 1941. After the war, it was placed on 'care and maintenance' status before reopening as a joint USAF-RAF operation base on July 11, 1950.

Since 1950, RAF Mildenhall has primarily supported United States Air Force operations. It hosted Strategic Air Command units, including B-50 Superfortresses and KC-97 Stratofreighters, and became the main UK Passenger Terminal for Military Air Transport Service in 1958. From the late 1970s, it supported U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance operations. The 306th Strategic Wing was the host unit from 1978 until 1992, when the 100th Air Refueling Wing assumed host responsibilities. The 352nd Special Operations Group also transferred to Mildenhall in 1995.

Currently, RAF Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, operating KC-135R Stratotankers, and the 352nd Special Operations Wing, which flies CV-22 Osprey and MC-130J Commando II aircraft. Other units include the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron and 488th Intelligence Squadron (under the 55th Wing), and the 25th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 2 (under the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing). The base was slated for closure in 2015, with operations to relocate, but this decision was reversed in July 2020, ensuring its continued operation. It has a single concrete/asphalt runway, 10/28, measuring 2,808 meters. The base has been the site of anti-war protests.